In a nutshell
This study evaluated the effectiveness of PRO 160/120 (Prostagutt) for the treatment of nocturia among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The authors concluded that PRO 160/120 is a suitable alternative to common drug therapies in reducing episodes of nocturia.
Some background
Frequently waking up at night to urinate (also called nocturia) is one of the most frequently reported and bothersome symptoms among men with BPH. Drug therapy with alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax), or five-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride (Proscar), are commonly used to treat urinary symptoms associated with BPH. However, not all men respond to, or tolerate, these drug therapies.
PRO 160/120 (Prostagutt) has recently been put forward as an effective alternative for BPH-related urinary symptoms. PRO 160/120 is a combination of herbal extracts (specifically saw palmetto and stinging nettle) and is well-tolerated among patients according to recent studies. However, the specific effects of PRO 160/120 in reducing episodes of nocturia has not been fully studied.
Methods & findings
This analysis included four separate randomized trials, including a combined total of 922 men with BPH. Among the different trials investigated, treatment outcome of PRO 160/120 was compared to that of tamsulosin, finasteride and a placebo (a substance with no active effect, used as a control).
An analysis of pooled data showed that, before treatment, men reported an average of 2.1 episodes of nocturia each night. Significantly more men reported reduced nocturia following 6 weeks of treatment with PRO 160/120 (69%), compared to men treated with a placebo (52%). The number of nocturia episodes (or voids) per night was reduced to 1.3 for men receiving PRO 160/120. Overall, Most men receiving PRO 160/120 reported one less void per night.
Treatment outcome with PRO 160/120 did not differ significantly from treatment with tamsulosin or finasteride. In one of the randomized trials reviewed, 44% of men responded to treatment with tamsulosin compared to 45% who responded to treatment with PRO 160/120. Similar results were reported in a separate trial comparing finasteride to PRO 160/120 (59% of men responded in both treatment groups).
The bottom line
The researchers concluded that herbal treatment with PRO 160/120 is safe and effective in reducing episodes of nocturia among men with BPH.
Published By :
World Journal of Urology
Date :
Oct 01, 2014
