Combined medical treatment using dutasteride and tamsulosin for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Importance of the field: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed medical condition in the elderly. Selective alpha-blockers (tamsulosin) and dual 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (dutasteride) have an important role in the medical treatment of symptomatic BPH. Safety and efficacy of combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin as well as long-term benefit on prevention of disease progression have been widely studied in recent trials. Areas covered in this review: The present article summarizes the pharmacologic properties of both dutasteride and tamsulosin. Clinical efficacy of combination therapy in different trials has also been reported. Major randomized trials on this concept published between 2000 and 2010 have been covered in this article. What the reader will gain: Long-term efficacy and safety of combination therapy and its beneficial effect on quality of life and risk reduction of need for BPH-related surgeries have been discussed. Take home message: Combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is a highly efficacious medical treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement, which could be safely tolerated and administrated for 4 years.