Does Finasteride Prevent BPH Surgery and Urinary Retention?

The 5a-reductase inhibitor finasteride is generally prescribed to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but it is unclear whether the drug also prevents urinary retention and surgery. In this trial, 3,040 men with enlarged prostates and moderate-to-severe symptoms were randomized to receive either 5 mg of finasteride or placebo daily.

During four years of follow-up, the incidence of surgery for BPH or catheterization for acute urinary retention was significantly lower with finasteride than with placebo (7 vs. 13 percent). Mean symptom scores improved significantly more with finasteride than placebo (3 points vs. 1 point on a 35-point scale). Prostate volume decreased 18 percent with finasteride and increased 14 percent wi…