Nicholas Bakalar from the New York Times explains how two prostate drugs for the treatment of BPH may be tied to increased risk for T2D.
“Two commonly used drugs for treating an enlarged prostate may increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Benign prostate hypertrophy, or B.P.H., may cause difficulty in urinating or increased frequency and urgency of urination. A study published in BMJ examined the use of two similar drugs often prescribed for the condition, finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), in 39,000 men. As controls, the 11-year study used 16,000 men taking tamsulosin (Flomax), a different type of drug for B.P.H.
Compared with those using Flomax, men using Avodart had a 32 percent increased risk for developing diabetes, and those using Proscar a 26 percent increased risk. The study carefully controlled for body mass index, other drug use, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension and other health and behavioral characteristics.”