Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients.

Background: Controversy regarding the relative efficacy of treatments for the relief of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: This was a 6-month double-blind randomized equivalence study that compared the effects of a plant extract (320 mg Permixon) with those of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5 mg finasteride) in 1,098 men with moderate BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as the primary end-point.

Results: Both Permixon and finasteride decreased the IPSS (-37% and -39%, respectively), improved quality of life (by 38 and 41%), and increased peak urinary flow rate (+25% and +30%, P = 0.