Herbal drugs and synthetics in the treatment of the benign hyperplasia of the prostate

Abstract: At present a number of herbal and synthetic drugs is available for the treatment of the symptomatic BPH: In Germany herbal remedies represent the therapeutical standard in the early stages of BPH. Meanwhile the clinical efficacy of herbal drugs has been proven in placebo-controlled trials and in prospective long-term trials with a large number of patients. With the synthetic 5a-reductase inhibitor finasterid no better therapeutical effects can be obtained. The results of trials published so far demonstrate that therapy with finasterid reduces the volume of the prostate; a clinical relevant improvement of the micturition complaints has been observed however only in a third of patients and after at least six months of treatment. The selective a-receptor blockers represent a new interesting therapeutical approach. BPH-patients, responding to a treatment with a-receptor blockers experience relieve of their micturition complaints within a relatively short period of time. Problems of this therapeutical approach arise from the a-blocker-induced decrease of blood pressure and the undesired drug effects accompanying low blood pressure. Comparison of therapy with synthetic BPH-therapeutics with phytotherapy shows a high benefit-risk ratio in favour of phytotherapy, especially concerning the long-term treatment required in BPH.

Keyword(s): Benign hyperplasia of the prostate

Zurück | Weiter