Preferences of the patients in terms of alpha-blocker choice during the treatment of BPH-induced voiding dysfunction

We present a study, which included the patients with voiding dysfunction due to the confirmed diagnosis of the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They were treated using 2 types of alpha-blockers - tamsulosin (T) and doxazosin (D). The preferences were analyzed. The study was randomized, cross, comparative and open. All patients were randomized in two groups with 17 men in each: T-D group (tamsulosin 0.4 mg once per day during 6 weeks, then doxazosin 2 mg once per day during 1 week following by 4 mg of doxazosin during weeks 2 and 3 and 6 mg for the weeks 4-6) and D-T group (doxazosin 2 mg once per day during 1 week following by 4 mg of doxazosin during weeks 2 and 3 and 6 mg for the weeks 4-6, then tamsulosin 0.4 mg once per day for 6 weeks). The efficacy was similar for both medications when controlled for urodynamic criteria with a small non-significant trend in favor of tamsulosin. Side effects were more often during doxazosin intake (32.4% vs. 23.5% for tamsulosin). Seven out of 8 cases of side effects for tamsulosin were related to the sexual dysfunction (retrograde ejaculation, erectile dysfunction). The preferences analysis showed that patients with the age more than 65 years were prone to choose tamsulosin for further treatment. More young, sexually active patients preferred more often to use doxazosin.