Inventors:
Glenn J. Gormley - Westfield NJ
Elizabeth Stoner - Westfield NJ
Assignee:
Merck & Co., Inc. - Rahway NJ
International Classification:
A61K 3156, A61K 3158, A61K 31505
Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved treatment for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), involving combination therapy of a 5. alpha. -reductase inhibitor, e. g. a 17. beta. -substituted 4-azasteroid, a 17. beta. -substituted non-azasteroid, 17. beta. -acyl-3-carboxy-androst-3,5-diene, benzoylaminophenoxybutanoic acid derivative, fused benz(thio)amide or cinnamoylamide derivative, aromatic 1,2-diethers or thioethers, aromatic ortho acylaminophenoxy alkanoic acids, ortho thioalkylacylaminophenoxy alkanoic acids, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, and particularly finasteride, in combination with an. alpha. sub. 1 -adrenergic receptor blocker, i. e. , terazosin. The combination provides therapy at the molecular level for the underlying cause of the disease as well as providing symptomatic relief. Pharmaceutical compositions useful for treatment are also disclosed.