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Testosterone May Be Safe for Prostate
Nov. 14, 2006 -- Testosterone replacement therapy in older men may not raise the risk of prostate cancer, as once thought.
A small, new study shows that short-term testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) among men with low testosterone has little effect on the prostate gland.
The male hormone is involved in prostate growth, and previous studies have shown giving testosterone to men with advanced prostate cancer often makes the disease worse.
Concerns have risen over the growing trend of prescribing testosterone to older men to treat symptoms associated with declining testosterone levels, known as male menopause.
Testosterone levels among men decline with age, and in some men low testosterone levels may cause symptoms including depression, sexual dysfunction, decreased muscle mass, and lower bone density.
More than 1.8 million prescriptions for testosterone products were written in the U.S. in 2002, a 170% increase over the previous five years, according to pharmaceutical industry estimates.
But the risk of prostate cancer also rises with age, and researchers say more study is needed to determine if long-term testosterone replacement therapy is safe for the prostate.
Testosterone Therapy OK?
In the study, researchers examined the effects on the prostate of testosterone replacement therapy in 40 men. The men were aged 44 to 78 and had low testosterone levels.
The men received 150 milligrams of either testosterone or a placebo via injection every two weeks for six months.
Biopsies performed on prostate tissue taken from the men before and after the study showed testosterone levels within the prostate increased only slightly among the men who received testosterone therapy, although their blood levels of the hormone increased to normal levels.
No treatment-related change in the number of cancer cases or cancer severity was found.
"The prostate risks to men undergoing TRT may not be as great as once believed, especially if the results of the pretreatment biopsy are negative," writes researcher Leonard Marks, MD, of the UCLA School of Medicine, and colleagues in The Journal of The American Medical Association.
Researchers say larger studies are needed to determine the long-term safety of testosterone replacement therapy among older men.
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Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
