Claims for Patent: 6,046,183

Summary for Patent: 6,046,183

Title:	Method of synergistic treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia
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.
Inventor(s):	Gormley; Glenn J. (Westfield, NJ), Stoner; Elizabeth (Westfield, NJ)
Assignee:	Merck & Co., Inc. (Rahway, NJ)
Application Number:	09/027,105
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients in need of such treatment comprising the step of administering to such patients therapeutically synergistic effective amounts of finasteride in combination with doxazosin. 2. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients in need of such treatment comprising therapeutically synergistic effective amounts of finasteride and doxazosin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.