Researchers work toward new drug to treat BPH

A prescription to buy Flomax is currently the most effective treatment for men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. However, a new drug currently in development could offering individuals significant improvements over currently available medications.

Representatives of Nymox Pharmaceuticals recently reported at the American Urological Association Meeting that a new drug currently under development called NX-1207 has been proven safe and effective for treating an enlarged prostate and is currently undergoing a phase 3 clinical trial.

If the medication continues to prove effective, it could significantly improve BPH treatments. The officials said that some current measures for addressing the problem, like surgery, can carry a risk of sexual side effects. Furthermore, pills must be taken every day. However, NX-1207 is injected at the doctor's office and has been shown to cause few serious side effects.

BPH is an exceedingly common health problem, affecting 50 percent of men over age 50 and 90 percent of those over age 80. It can cause a range of symptoms that disrupt an individual's quality of life and may increase the risk of prostate cancer.