Possible New Approach to Overactive Bladder in Men

Men with overactive bladder often have associated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with the outlet obstruction causing changes in the bladder that lead to frequent and uncontrolled urination. Investigators, encouraged by results from earlier small studies, evaluated a combined treatment for both conditions in a multisite U.S. trial. Recruited from urology clinics, 879 men aged 40 and older, with significant BPH and overactive bladder symptoms, were randomized to four groups: tamsulosin (Flomax; 0.4 mg/day), a standard α-adrenergic–receptor antagonist used for BPH; extended-release tolterodine (Detrol; 4 mg/day), an antimuscarinic agent used for overactive bladder; both treatments together; or placebo. (The study authors include employees…