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Current Medical Research and Opinion Dec 2006Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction (ED), are highly prevalent in men... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction (ED), are highly prevalent in men over the age of 50. LUTS and ED have a negative impact on sexual function and when comorbid, result in reduced quality of life. The goal of this article is to discuss the relationship between ED and LUTS, describe the diagnostic workup of these disorders, explore the current treatment options, and examine how treatments may affect this population. Medline (1980-2006), Cochrane reviews, and the American Urological Association 2006 General Meeting abstracts were searched for relevant clinical trials and reviews with the terms: benign prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists, alpha-blockers, 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, transurethral resection of the prostate, transurethral microwave thermotherapy, transurethral needle ablation, adverse events, alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, terazosin, dutasteride, finasteride, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil. However, because of the volume of literature, this article is not a systematic review.
FINDINGS
Although age is an independent risk factor for both LUTS and ED, studies report that LUTS is also an independent risk factor for ED. Treatments for LUTS include pharmacologic, minimally invasive, and surgical therapies. Among pharmacologic options, alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha1-AR) antagonists provide effective treatment with a low risk of sexual side-effects; some of these drugs have been reported to improve sexual function. The treatment of LUTS may improve ED. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5s) are considered first-line therapy for ED. Comorbid LUTS and ED are treated with an alpha1-AR antagonist and a PDE-5; however, this combination must be used with caution because of vasodilatory adverse events associated with both classes of drugs.
CONCLUSIONS
Optimal management includes screening to identify patients with comorbid LUTS and ED, and the use of treatments that minimize both vasodilatory and sexual side-effects.
Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Quality of Life; Sexual Behavior; Urination Disorders
PubMed: 17265598
DOI: 10.1185/030079906x154141 -
Annals of the Academy of Medicine,... Dec 2022The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, the use of NMV/r...
INTRODUCTION
The oral antiviral agents nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) and molnupiravir are used to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection in outpatients. However, the use of NMV/r is complicated by significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with frequently prescribed medications. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the possible risk of DDIs, given the emergence of COVID-19 variants and the widespread use of oral COVID-19 treatments. We reviewed available data on DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and common dermatological medications; summarised the potential side effects; and suggest strategies for safe COVID-19 treatment.
METHOD
A systematic review using PubMed was conducted on data published from inception to 18 July 2022 to find clinical outcomes of DDIs between NMV/r, molnupiravir and dermatological medications. We also searched the Lexicomp, Micromedex, Liverpool COVID-19 Drug Interactions database and the National Institutes of Health COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines for interactions between NMV/r and molnupiravir, and commonly used dermatological medications.
RESULTS
NMV/r containing the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor ritonavir has DDIs with other medications similarly dependent on CYP3A4 metabolism. Dermatological medications that have DDIs with NMV/r include rifampicin, clofazimine, clarithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, bilastine, rupatadine, dutasteride, ciclosporin, cyclophosphamide, tofacitinib, upadacitinib, colchicine and systemic glucocorticoids. With no potential DDI identified yet in in vitro studies, molnupiravir may be an alternative COVID-19 therapy in patients taking medications that have complicated interactions with NMV/r, which cannot be stopped or dose adjusted.
CONCLUSION
NMV/r has significant DDIs with many common dermatological medications, which may require temporary discontinuation, dosage adjustment or substitution with other anti-COVID-19 agents such as molnupiravir.
Topics: Humans; Ritonavir; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Antiviral Agents; Drug Interactions
PubMed: 36592146
DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2022289 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Jan 2019Many studies have reported that 5α-reductase inhibitors (finasteride and dutasteride) raise serum testosterone (T) levels, yet there is lack of consistency among... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Many studies have reported that 5α-reductase inhibitors (finasteride and dutasteride) raise serum testosterone (T) levels, yet there is lack of consistency among studies on this point.
AIM
To review and meta-analyze available studies reporting changes in serum T concentrations in men treated with 5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs).
METHODS
A Medline search using PubMed and EMBASE was performed including the following key words: "finasteride," "dutasteride," "testosterone and 5α-reductases."
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Relevant studies were extracted, evaluated, and analyzed. Of these, 40 studies were analyzed qualitatively and 11 were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects model was used to conduct the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
In 11 studies comprising 1,784 patients with age ranging between 18 and 83 years and average treatment follow-up of 17 months, meta-analytic estimate of the mean baseline change was 27 (95% confidence interval 1-54). The meta-analysis did not demonstrate unequivocal significant increase in serum T levels. The increase was not uniform among all studies reported. Sensitivity analysis showed that no single study contributed decisively to the outcome or could be attributed to drug action. The reported increases in T levels with finasteride or dutasteride in men with low baseline serum T may be attributed, in part, to increased trapping of T by unsaturated sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) due to dissociation of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. In men with high baseline T levels, there appears to be no change in serum T levels. 10 studies reported luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, SHBG, and estradiol values and none reported significant changes in their levels, suggesting that observed changes in serum T levels are unlikely mediated by gonadotropins levels or peripheral conversion of T to estradiol.
CONCLUSION
5α-RI therapy is not associated with consistent and significant increases in serum T levels. Traish AM, Krakowsky Y, Doros G, et al. Do 5α-reductase inhibitors raise circulating serum testosterone levels? A comprehensive review and meta-analysis to explaining paradoxical results. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:95-114.
Topics: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dutasteride; Finasteride; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Observational Studies as Topic; Testosterone
PubMed: 30098986
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.06.002 -
JAMA Surgery Feb 2019A growing number of transgender patients are receiving gender-affirming hormone treatments. It is unclear whether the evidence supports the current practice of routinely...
IMPORTANCE
A growing number of transgender patients are receiving gender-affirming hormone treatments. It is unclear whether the evidence supports the current practice of routinely discontinuing these hormones prior to surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how medications used in cross-sex hormone treatment (CSHT) affect perioperative risk.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
A series of searches were carried out in PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database to identify articles using each of the terms testosterone, estrogen, estradiol, oral contraceptive, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, finasteride, dutasteride, leuprolide, goserelin, and histrelin, in combination with the terms surgery, perioperative, thrombosis, thromboembolism, and operative. The search was not restricted to perioperative outcomes in transgender populations because many surgeons routinely discontinue hormone use prior to surgery in this population, which makes it impossible to study how hormones affect outcomes. Additional sources were also identified from the texts of reviewed articles. Articles were excluded if they were animal studies or case reports, did not explicitly discuss surgical outcomes, or were restricted to removal of hormonally sensitive tissues.
FINDINGS
Eighteen articles addressing perioperative outcomes were identified by this systematic review, including 1 on CSHT, 12 on estrogens and progesterones, 1 on testosterone, and 4 on spironolactone and antiandrogens. Data were limited, but use of exogenous testosterone was not found to be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism or other complications during surgery. Moderate evidence suggests that spironolactone is not associated with negative surgical outcomes. The data linking estrogen use and thrombosis is inconsistent in the perioperative period and does not address the types of estrogens most often used for CSHT.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Current evidence does not support routine discontinuation of all CSHT prior to surgery, particularly given the lack of information on risks associated with resuming these medications after they have been stopped. Evidence suggests there is no need to discontinue either testosterone or spironolactone, although their association with perioperative outcome quality has not been studied in depth. Most of the evidence that supports discontinuation of estrogen prior to surgery is based on oral estrogen regimens that are not typically used in transgender patients, and even with those formulations, there are conflicting reports on perioperative risk. Further research is needed to determine the safety of continuing hormone treatment and elucidate risks of short-term discontinuation.
Topics: Drug Substitution; Female; Gender Dysphoria; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Male; Observational Studies as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Preoperative Care; Transgender Persons; Transsexualism
PubMed: 30516808
DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.4598