The safety and efficacy of terazosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The efficacy and safety of terazosin was evaluated in 28 normotensive patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) ranging in age between 52-72 years. The parameters utilized to assess the efficacy of terazosin included peak and mean urinary flow rate, micturition symptom score and the patients' global assessment of symptomatic improvement. The dose of terazosin was titrated to 5 mg/day over a one-month interval, provided significant adverse drug reactions were not observed. Twenty-two (79%) of the 28 patients completed the terazosin dose-titration study, 5 (18%) were withdrawn owing to adverse drug reactions and 1 (3%) was withdrawn owing to poor compliance. Overall, the mean systolic blood pressure, increased 3 mmHg (3%) and the diastolic blood pressure decreased 1 mmHg (1%). The peak and mean urinary flow rates increased 63% and 61%, respectively. The obstructive and irritative symptom scores decreased 62% and 33%, respectively. The improvements in urinary flow rates and symptom scores were clinically and statistically significant. Overall, 61% of the patients indicated that their voiding symptoms were markedly improved on terazosin and 64% of the participants have elected to voluntarily continue on terazosin indefinitely. In conclusion, terazosin represents a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic BPH.