Comparing efficacy of α1D-receptor antagonist naftopidil and α1A/D-receptor antagonist tamsulosin in management of distal ureteral stones.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of α(1)D-receptor antagonist Naftopidil and α(1)A/D-receptor antagonist Tamsulosin in management of distal ureteral stones.

Materials And Methods: A total of 131 patients with distal ureteral stones were included in the study from December 2008 to September 2010. The patients were randomized to 3 groups: group 1 (43 patients), those receiving 10 mg naftopidil once daily; group 2 (45 patients), those receiving 0.4 mg tamsulosin once daily; and group 3 (43 patients) were given a watchful waiting and served as control group. All patients were followed up for 2 weeks. Ultrasonography and kidney-ureters-bladder (KUB) were performed on day 7 and 14. At the end of the follow-up period, patients who failed to expel the stone were scheduled to undergo ESWL or ureteroscopy.

Results: Stone expulsion was observed in 31 patients in group 1 (72.1%), 37 patients in group 2 (82.2%), and 13 patients in group 3 (30.2%). A statistically significant difference was noted with Chi-square testing between groups 1 and 3, and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively). Average time to expulsion was 7.6 ± 2.26 days (range 1-12 days) in group 1, 7.7 ± 1.94 days (range 2-11 days) in group 2, and 9.4 ± 2.48 days (range 6-14 days) in group 3. A statistically significant difference was observed in time to expulsion between groups 1 and 3, and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.000, P = 0.001, respectively) by ANOVA testing. The side effects encountered in the study groups were generally mild and did not require cessation of therapy in any patient.

Conclusions: Naftopidil could significantly increase spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones with low side effects. The stone expulsion rate is similar for the tamsulosin.