American Journal of Pharmacy and Health Research

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in elderly men characterized by prostate enlargement, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that significantly impact quality of life. Pharmacological management includes alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). To compare the clinical outcomes of alpha-blocker monotherapy with combination therapy in patients with BPH. A 6-month prospective comparative study was conducted in 100 patients with moderate to severe BPH. Patients were treated with either alpha-blocker monotherapy or combination therapy (alpha-blocker with 5-ARI). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at baseline and after 3 months. Statistical analysis was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Both treatment groups showed improvement in LUTS. However, combination therapy resulted in a greater reduction in IPSS scores and improved clinical response compared to monotherapy, particularly in patients with more severe symptoms. Combination therapy provides superior clinical outcomes and may offer better long-term disease control, while monotherapy remains effective for rapid symptomatic relief. KEYWORDS: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, combination therapy, IPSS score, prostate volume.

The drug delivery system enables the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient to achieve a desired therapeutic response. Conventional drug delivery systems (tablets, capsules, syrups, ointments, etc.) suffer from poor bioavailability and fluctuations in plasma drug level and are unable to achieve sustained release. Without an efficient delivery mechanism, the whole therapeutic process can be rendered useless. Moreover, the drug has to be delivered at a specified controlled rate and at the target site as precisely as possible to achieve maximum efficacy and safety. Controlled drug delivery systems are developed to combat the problems associated with conventional drug delivery. There has been a tremendous evolution in controlled drug delivery systems from the past two decades ranging from macro scale and nano scale to intelligent targeted delivery. The most recent breakthroughs in controlled drug delivery systems (2025–2026) include wirelessly controlled bioelectronic devices, advanced nanocarriers, and smart polymers that allow precise, patient-specific dosing and targeted release. These innovations aim to improve treatment accuracy, reduce side effects, and enhance patient compliance. Recent advancements in controlled drug delivery systems (CDDS) focus on enhancing precision, patient compliance, and efficacy through nanotechnology, stimuli-responsive materials, and smart, wearable devices. Key developments include lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for nucleic acid delivery, stimuli-responsive systems that release drugs based on pH or temperature, wearable pumps, and microneedles for painless, transdermal administration. The paper concludes with the challenges faced and future directions in controlled drug delivery. Key-words - controlled bioelectronic devices, stimuli-responsive systems, wearable pumps, intelligent targeted delivery, etc.