Evaluation of the efficiency of tamsulosin and Rowatinex in patients with distal ureteral stones: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

To compare the efficiency and spontaneous expulsion rates of tamsulosin and Rowatinex in patients with distal ureteral stones. Between March and July 2009, 90 patients with distal ureteral stones < 10 mm in size were included in the study. Patients were randomized in 3 groups: Group 1 (n = 31, those received 0.4 mg tamsulosin once daily), Group 2 (n = 30, those received 100 mg Rowatinex capsules 3 times a day), and Group 3 (n = 29, those received diclofenac 100 mg once daily). All patients were followed up for 10 days. Mean age of the patients was 42.4 +/- 16.1 (range, 22-75), 46.5 +/- 16.5 (range, 22-76), and 43.5 +/- 16.6 (range, 18-71) years in Groups 1-3, respectively. On admission, 37.8% had hematuria and 78.9% had lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). No statistically significant differences were detected between the three groups regarding patient age, gender, mean stone size, stone location, stone site, additional analgesic requirement, number of ureteral colics during the treatment, and upper urinary tract dilation. The mean stone expulsion time was 3.5 days in Group 1, 6 days in Group 2, and 7 days in Group 3 (P = 0.02). Stone expulsion rate was significantly high in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (P = 0.002). Similarly, stone expulsion rate was significantly high in Group 1 compared to Group 3 (P = 0.001). Medical treatment with tamsulosin seems to be effective in patients with distal ureteral stones < 10 mm in size. However, use of Rowatinex does not seem to have any significant effect on clearance rate of distal ureteral calculi.