Efficacy Of An α1 Blocker In Expulsive Therapy Of Lower Ureteral Stones

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 20 Apr 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - "This too shall pass…". In this prospective randomized study of 95 patients with a symptomatic distal ureteral stone (i.e. < 10 mm diameter), patients were subdivided into those treated with tamsulosin (0.4 mg/day), terazosin (2 mg/day) or nothing for up to two weeks. The respective stone passage, mg. of analgesics used, and complications for each of the arms was: 81%, 231 mg, 3% (tamsulosin), 78%, 256 mg, 16%* (terazosin), and 55%, 347 mg, and 0%. Statistical significance occurred for stone passage and analgesia (Groups 1 and 2 vs. control) and for complications (Group 2 terazosin vs. control). Overall, the use of an ά1 blocker provides a 25% absolute increase in distal stone passage along with a reduction in the use of analgesics and renal colic. In this study, tamsulosin performed better than terazosin due to its lower rate of complications such as hypotension, syncope, and palpitations.

Reported by UroToday.com Medical Editor Ralph V. Clayman

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