Men with signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be helped with a daily dose of erectile dysfunction drug tadalafil (Cialis) to relieve associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to a new study published in the October 2008 issue of The Journal of Urology.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Northwestern University and Lilly Research Laboratories report on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of over 1000 men in ten countries.
Claus G. Roehrborn, MD, Professor of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, states, "Since reports of erectile dysfunction (ED) incidence, pathophysiology and treatment have shown a possible link between BPH LUTS and ED. PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil (Cialis) have received increased attention for treating BPH LUTS, although they are currently only approved for ED. The half-life of tadalafil is 17.5 hours, making it suitable as once daily therapy. Although the precise mechanism of action by which PDE5 inhibitors may alleviate LUTS is not completely understood, several putative mechanisms are currently under investigation."
Men with signs of BPH may experience LUTS, such as urinary frequency, urgency, intermittence, nocturia, straining, incomplete emptying or a weak urinary stream. LUTS increase with age with an overall prevalence of greater than 50% in men 50 years or older. Drugs currently used to treat these symptoms can produce unwanted side effects, including dizziness, low blood pressure and sexual dysfunction.