Men Age 45 and Older with Enlarged Prostate

Men age 45 and older with benign prostatic hyperplasia -- also known as prostate enlargement -- are invited to participate in a University of Iowa research study comparing the safety and effectiveness of saw palmetto (a plant extract) to placebo (inactive substance) in reducing symptoms.

Eligible participants may have the following symptoms: frequent and/or urgent urination during the day or night, a weak or intermittent urinary flow, and/or straining to empty the bladder.

Men with a history of prostate surgery or a history of cancer, except for successfully treated skin cancer, are not eligible to participate.

Participation involves a screening visit, followed by visits every one, two or three months at UI Hospitals and Clinics over about 18 months. Participants will randomly be assigned to take increasing doses of saw palmetto or a placebo. Study medication(s) and all study tests will be provided at no cost. Compensation for parking is available.

For more information, please contact Diane Meyerholz at 866-236-1432 (toll free) or 319-384-5769 or email diane-meyerholz@uiowa.edu.

Men Age 45 and Older with Urinary Problems

The UI Department of Urology is participating in a nation-wide study of to compare the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication to placebo (inactive substance) in reducing the following symptoms in men aged 45 and older:

• weak or intermittent urinary flow
• straining to urinate
• feeling that the bladder does not completely empty
• urgent or frequent urination (especially at night)

Men with recent heart or blood pressure disease or a history of cancer, except for successfully treated skin cancer, are not eligible to participate. Additionally, men with a current urinary tract infection or more than three urinary tract infections in the past 12 months are not eligible

The study will involve a screening visit and at least 5 additional visits to UI Hospitals and Clinics over 13 to 16 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to take on of two dosages of the study medication or placebo, and all participants will be asked to keep a diary of urinary habits for some, but not all, of the days during the study.

The screening visit and final study visit will include blood and urine tests, physical examinations, electrocardiogram, and some specific urological tests. At other visits, only blood and urological tests will be conducted.

The study medication(s) and all study tests will be provided at no cost to the participant or their insurance carrier. Compensation for each completed visit and parking also is available.

For more information, please contact Mary Eno, at 866-309-0834, or 319-384-9265, or mary-eno@uiowa.edu