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Study Ties Genes to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Prostate Cancer Risk

Posted 5 days ago by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, May 22 – Certain gene variants linked to prostate cancer may make men more susceptible to lower urinary tract symptoms, according to a new study. On the other hand, a different gene variant might protect against those symptoms, the study found. Researchers from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago identified 38 genetic sequence variants linked to prostate cancer risk in nearly 2,000 healthy, white men enrolled in a prostate cancer screening study. The men completed questionnaires on the severity of their lower urinary tract symptoms, their age and whether they took medications used to treat enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Four of the genetic variants were associated with severity of urinary tract symptoms, even after taking into account other genetic variations, age and medication use. The study was scheduled to be presented ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostate Cancer, Urinary Retention

Statins May Help Prevent Enlarged Prostate: Study

Posted 6 days ago by Drugs.com

MONDAY, May 21 – Statin drugs commonly used to lower cholesterol levels may also slow the unhealthy growth of the prostate in men with elevated blood levels of prostate-specific antigen, a new study finds. Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, levels are often elevated due to cancer or other conditions involving the prostate, explained researchers from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. The study authors noted that their findings are significant because an enlarged prostate affects up to 90 percent of men older than 70 years and can lead to bladder or kidney damage. Many of these men may already be taking a statin, which include cholesterol-lowering drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol or Zocor. "Given that prostate enlargement is an important health problem in the United States and elsewhere, and will be a larger problem as the population ages, it's important to ... Read more

Related support groups: Simvastatin, Lipitor, Crestor, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Pravastatin, Zocor, Lovastatin, Atorvastatin, Livalo, Rosuvastatin, Red Yeast Rice, Pravachol, Lescol, Lescol XL, Mevacor

Baldness Drug May Cause Sexual Side Effects: FDA

Posted 12 Apr 2012 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, April 12 – Two Merck & Co. drugs – one to treat hair loss in men, the other to treat an enlarged prostate gland – will get revised labels warning of potential sexual side effects that can last even after patients stop taking the drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. The two drugs – Propecia to combat male pattern baldness, and Proscar, to treat enlarged prostates – share the same chemical compound, called finasteride. One dose of Propecia contains 1 milligram of finasteride; one dose of Proscar contains 5 milligrams. The new Propecia label will include a warning of "libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the FDA said in a news release. The Proscar label will include a warning about "decreased libido that continued after discontinuation of the drug," the agency said. The labels ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Finasteride, Propecia, Androgenetic Alopecia, Proscar

Drug May Slow Early Prostate Cancer: Study

Posted 24 Jan 2012 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Jan. 24 – New research suggests that Avodart, a drug used to treat an enlarged prostate gland, may help slow the progression of early stage prostate cancer, reducing the need for aggressive treatment in some men. Prostate cancer can grow and spread slowly, which is why some men are urged to engage in so-called watchful waiting when the cancer is first diagnosed. Avodart (dutasteride) may help such men feel comfortable with surveillance as opposed to radical treatment, the researchers noted. "The concept of active surveillance is gaining traction in most parts of the world," said study author Dr. Neil E. Fleshner, head of the division of urology at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. Still, some men are uncomfortable with doing nothing in the face of a cancer diagnosis, he said. "By using this drug, we can improve the proportion of men who remain committed to the ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostate Cancer, Avodart, Dutasteride

FDA Approves Cialis to Treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Posted 7 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

October 6, 2011 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cialis (tadalafil) to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, and for the treatment of BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED), when the conditions occur simultaneously. Cialis was approved in 2003 for the treatment of ED.Common symptoms of BPH include difficulty in starting urination and a weak urine stream; a sudden urge to urinate; and more frequent urination including at night. The severity of symptoms of BPH can be measured using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). In two clinical trials, men with BPH who took 5 milligrams (mg) of Cialis once daily experienced a statistically significant improvement in their symptoms of BPH compared to men who were treated with placebo. The trials based their findings on a reduction in ... Read more

Related support groups: Cialis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Tadalafil

FDA Approves Additional Use for Lilly's Cialis

Posted 7 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

From Associated Press (October 6, 2011) SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it has approved Eli Lilly and Co.'s erectile dysfunction drug Cialis to be used in treating symptoms tied to a condition that leads to an enlarged prostate. The FDA said common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream and a sudden urge to urinate and more frequent urination. Regulators approved Cialis in 2003 as an erectile dysfunction treatment, and it has since become one of Indianapolis-based Lilly's best-selling drugs. Cialis brought in $477.2 million in sales in the second quarter and $1.7 billion last year. Additional revenue from a new use for Cialis will be welcomed. Lilly will lose U.S. patent protection for its top-selling drug, the antipsychotic Zyprexa, later this month, and analysts expect sales to ... Read more

Related support groups: Cialis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

FDA OKs Impotence Drug Cialis to Treat Enlarged Prostate

Posted 7 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

THURSDAY, Oct. 6 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced late Thursday that it had approved using the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis as a treatment for enlarged prostate. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, enlarged prostate – clinically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – is a "common part of aging" for men. In fact, the NIH estimates that "more than half of men in their 60s, and as many as 90 percent in their 70s and 80s, have some symptoms of BPH." The condition often leads to urinary incontinence and can raise the odds for urinary tract infections and even kidney damage. "BPH can have a big impact on a patient's quality of life," Scott Monroe, director of the division of reproductive and urologic products in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in an agency news release. "A large number of older men have symptoms of BPH. ... Read more

Related support groups: Erectile Dysfunction, Cialis, Flomax, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Avodart, Urinary Incontinence, Rapaflo, Cardura, Jalyn, Hytrin, Proscar, Uroxatral

Cialis Approved to Treat Enlarged Prostate

Posted 7 Oct 2011 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, Oct. 7 – The erectile dysfunction drug Cialis (tadalafil) has received new approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the medical term for an enlarged prostate. Symptoms of BPH frequently include difficulty urinating, a sudden urge to urinate, and an increase in having to urinate, notably at night. The drug was evaluated among men with BPH in three trials. Those who took 5 milligrams of Cialis once daily showed significant reduction in symptoms of BPH, the FDA said in a news release. The third trial involved men with BPH who also had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. Men who take a class of drugs called nitrates, including nitroglycerin, shouldn't take Cialis in tandem, since the combination could lead to an unsafe drop in blood pressure, the FDA said. The agency made a similar warning about taking Cialis along with ... Read more

Related support groups: Cialis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Saw Palmetto Doesn't Help Enlarged Prostate: Study

Posted 27 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, Sept. 27 – For men suffering from urinary problems related to an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto extract doesn't seem to relieve symptoms any better than a placebo, even when taken at high doses, a new study finds. Many men in the United States and Europe use plant extracts to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that enlarges the prostate gland. Saw palmetto is the most commonly used extract, but its effectiveness has not been proven. "Despite pushing the dose up to three times what's traditionally been used, we couldn't find the extract we studied lowered urinary tract symptoms more than placebo," said lead researcher Dr. Michael J. Barry, chief of the General Medicine Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Men with BPH experience bothersome symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency and hesitation. ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Saw Palmetto

Health Tip: Caring For an Enlarged Prostate

Posted 1 Sep 2011 by Drugs.com

-- As men age, it's common to develop an enlarged prostate, which can cause symptoms that include slowed urination, painful urination and a strong and sudden urge to urinate. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests how to manage mild symptoms of an enlarged prostate: Go to the bathroom often, and urinate as soon as you feel the need. Restrict caffeine and alcohol, particularly after dinner. Restrict fluids within two hours of bedtime, and spread out fluid intake throughout the day. Avoid over-the-counter medications that contain antihistamines or decongestants, which can worsen symptoms. Get regular exercise and try to stay warm. Limit stress when possible. Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Fewer Men Having Surgery to Treat Enlarged Prostate: Study

Posted 17 May 2011 by Drugs.com

WEDNESDAY, May 11 – Some men with enlarged prostate may not be receiving sufficient treatment and could suffer severe complications as a result, according to a new study. Although more men are receiving oral treatment for enlarged prostate, the rate of men operated on for the condition declined over a nine-year period and the rate of discharges for men for enlarged prostate with acute kidney failure has skyrocketed, researchers found. Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate – called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – is a common condition that affects millions of men in the United States each year. It can cause lower urinary tract symptoms ranging from frequent and painful urination to urinary retention, which can lead to kidney failure if left untreated. Treatments include oral therapies and minimally invasive surgery. In this analysis of U.S. hospital patient data, University ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

FDA Medwatch Alert: U-Prosta: Undeclared Drug Ingredient

Posted 16 Apr 2011 by Drugs.com

ISSUE: USA Far Ocean Group, Inc. issues voluntary nationwide recall of U-Prosta, a product marketed as a dietary supplement that contains undeclared terazosin hydrochloride.  Lab analysis by FDA of U-Prosta samples found the product contains terazosin, the active ingredient of an FDA-approved drug used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), making U-Prosta an unapproved drug.   The most likely adverse health consequences that could occur with the use of this product would be hypotension, dizziness, or syncope. Patients who are currently being treated with prescription medications for high blood pressure or enlarged prostate would be at increased risk of these events. In these patients, the hypotensive events may be more severe. BACKGROUND: The product is sold under the name “U-Prosta Natural support for prostate health”.  The product has been distributed nationwide vi ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Terazosin, Hytrin

New Therapy for Enlarged Prostate May Bypass Unpleasant Side Effects

Posted 29 Mar 2011 by Drugs.com

TUESDAY, March 29 – A minimally invasive treatment for enlarged prostate that limits blood supply to the prostate seems to be just as effective as surgery but without the risk of debilitating side effects, such as impotence and urinary incontinence. The treatment – called prostatic artery embolization, or PAE – is ready to be used in certain patients, namely those with a prostate larger than 60 cubic centimeters, "with severe lower urinary tract symptoms and a weakened urinary stream," said Dr. Joao Martins Pisco, lead author of a study slated to be presented March 29 at the annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology in Chicago. But other experts aren't so sure. Drugs are used to treat most patients with an enlarged prostate, with only about 10 percent qualifying for surgery to remove the entire gland, said Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, a urologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Doctors Issue New Guidelines on Spotting, Treating Enlarged Prostate

Posted 5 Feb 2011 by Drugs.com

FRIDAY, Feb. 4 – Experts at the American Urological Association (AUA) have issued updated guidelines on diagnosing and treating enlarged prostate – a common condition formally know as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms such as incontinence and affect a man's quality of life. The new guidelines, the first since 2003, include a detailed procedure on how to help doctors diagnose and treat those urinary tract problems. They also lower the age at which doctors should start to look for these issues in patients --- the "index patient age" – from 50 to 45. "This document provides much-needed guidance to doctors who are already treating lower urinary tract symptoms, as well as those who will be in the future," Dr. Kevin T. McVary, chair of the guidelines panel, said in an AUA news release. When treating a patient with suspected lower urinary tract ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

FDA approves Jalyn, a fixed-dose combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin, for symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate

Posted 17 Jun 2010 by Drugs.com

June 14, 2010 - GlaxoSmithKline announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Jalyn, a single-capsule combination of dutasteride (0.5 mg) and tamsulosin (0.4 mg) to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. BPH is one of the most common prostate disorders, affecting nearly half of all men 50 years of age or older in the U.S. In a clinical study of nearly 5,000 men, co-administration of these two medicines significantly improved symptoms of BPH compared to either medicine taken alone. GSK expects to make the product available during the second half of 2010. "This is the first time these therapies will be available together in a once-daily capsule," said Anne Phillips, M.D., Vice President, R&D Medicine Development Leader, GSK. "Jalyn offers two mechanisms of action to provide symptom improvement and the ability ... Read more

Related support groups: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

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Prostatitis, Prostate Tumor - Benign, Renal and Genitourinary Disorders

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Cialis, Flomax, Avodart, tamsulosin, doxazosin, finasteride, prazosin, terazosin, Rapaflo, view more... Cardura, Jalyn, tadalafil, Hytrin, saw palmetto, Proscar, Uroxatral, alfuzosin, Cardura XL, dutasteride, nettles, silodosin, Carduran, Doxadura, Minipress, dutasteride/tamsulosin, Cascor