PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, the dosage and duration of medication in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia are discussed. There is no official guideline, however, and even no professional agreement on these points. RECENT FINDINGS: Considering the dosage, dose-titration is probably not a drawback as there is a high risk of undertreatment or overtreatment when using a single dosage for every patient. Duration of treatment is a matter of concern. A quarter of patients discontinue their treatment early. For the others, a long period of treatment may be mandatory for those patients who are at risk of progression. After a course of medication (6 months to 1 year), a trial without treatment may help to decide whether treatment must be continued if symptoms relapse. SUMMARY: For men with lower urinary tract symptoms, there seems to be no definitive answer about the appropriate dosage and duration of medicine.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, the dosage and duration of medication in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia are discussed. There is no official guideline, however, and even no professional agreement on these points. RECENT FINDINGS: Considering the dosage, dose-titration is probably not a drawback as there is a high risk of undertreatment or overtreatment when using a single dosage for every patient. Duration of treatment is a matter of concern. A quarter of patients discontinue their treatment early. For the others, a long period of treatment may be mandatory for those patients who are at risk of progression. After a course of medication (6 months to 1 year), a trial without treatment may help to decide whether treatment must be continued if symptoms relapse. SUMMARY: For men with lower urinary tract symptoms, there seems to be no definitive answer about the appropriate dosage and duration of medicine.