Doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system versus tamsulosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A study in Chinese patients

AIM: The efficacy and safety profiles of two alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists, doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system, a controlled-release formulation of doxazosin, and tamsulosin, were compared in Chinese men with confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: After a 2-week placebo run-in phase, 117 patients were randomized to daily treatment with doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system (4 mg doxazosin) (n = 60) or 0.2 mg tamsulosin (n = 57) for 6 weeks with no titration of study medications. Efficacy was measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume, and quality-of-life score from the International Prostate Symptom Score. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Both drugs significantly improved the International Prostate Symptom Score (total, irritative subscore and obstructive subscore) and maximum urinary flow rate. Doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system reduced postvoid residual urine volume significantly more than tamsulosin (-25 +/- 5 mL vs 2 +/- 5 mL, P = 0.041) in patients with residual volume >0 mL at baseline. Other differences between groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The doxazosin gastrointestinal therapeutic system and tamsulosin were effective and well tolerated for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese men.