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A prospective study of the efficacy of Serenoa repens, Tamsulosin, and Serenoa repens plus Tamsulosin treatment for patients with benign prostate hyperplasia

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Abstract

Introduction

Increasing attention has been focused on the use of phytotherapeutic agents to alleviate the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in recent times. The best described and studied phytotherapeutic agent is Serenoa repens (SR).

Materials and methods

This prospective study was designed to have 3 arms including SR 320 mg per day (N = 20), Tamsulosin (TAM) 0.4 mg per day (N = 20) and SR + TAM (N = 20) to reveal the superiority or equivalence between these treatment regimens in BPH.

Results

The groups were not statistically different with regard to increase in maximal urinary flow rate (Q max) and decrease in International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) (P > 0.05). No adverse effect was detected in SR therapy group.

Conclusion

Treatment of BPH by both SR and TAM seems to be effective alone. None of them had superiority to another and additionally, combined therapy (SR + TAM) does not provide extra benefits. Furthermore SR is a well-tolerated agent that can be used alternatively in the treatment of LUTS due to BPH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatih Hızlı & M. Cemil Uygur

  2. Etlik Mesire Sok. 26/11 06010 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatih Hızlı

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  1. Fatih Hızlı
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  2. M. Cemil Uygur
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Correspondence to Fatih Hızlı.

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Hızlı, F., Uygur, M.C. A prospective study of the efficacy of Serenoa repens, Tamsulosin, and Serenoa repens plus Tamsulosin treatment for patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. Int Urol Nephrol 39, 879–886 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-9106-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-9106-5

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