Treatments for Chronic Prostatitis

Abstract

Because the etiology of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is unknown, a variety of treatments have been proposed. The best- designed, largest clinical trials have not found the most commonly used therapies (i.e., alpha blockers, quinolone antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, finasteride [Propecia]) to be effective. [Strength of recommendation: B, randomized controlled trials (RCTs)] Allopurinol (Zyloprim), phytochemicals, and transurethral thermotherapy have been suggested as treatment options, but evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. [Strength of recommendation: B, expert opinion or inconclusive trials]