New Medical Study Confirms Clinical Benefits of Aminobenzoate Potassium

As reported in the April 2005 issue of European Urology*, researchers confirmed that oral treatment with Aminobenzoate Potassium** can prevent the development and progression of penile curvature associated with Peyronie's Disease.

This study involved 11 medical centers across Europe and enrolled 103 men with Peyronie's Disease (age mean 50 years, range 18 - 71 years). Inclusion criteria included a disease duration of less than 12 months, no prior treatment, and no evidence of calcified penile plaques.

Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Over the subsequent year, the first group received Aminobenzoate Potassium (3 grams four times a day). The other group received placebo treatment four times a day. Neither patients nor doctors knew who received medication and who received placebo. Examinations were scheduled at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after onset of therapy to assess changes in penile curvature and other erection characteristics.

The study results documented significantly different outcomes between those who received Aminobenzoate Potassium and those who received the placebo treatment.

1. Plaque Size: Over the year of treatment, men who received Aminobenzoate Potassium treatment experienced a 45% reduction in mean penile plaque size. In contrast, mean plaque sizes changed only 10% during the same period in men who received placebo treatment.
    
2. Penile Curvature: Comparing each patient's final condition with his corresponding baseline, there was a higher rate of clinical deterioration in the placebo group.
   
   None of the men who started the study with a straight penis and received Aminobenzoate Potassium developed a deviation during the year of treatment. In contrast, 6 out of 8 men (75%) who started the study with a straight penis and received the placebo treatment developed new penile curvature.
   
   A marked difference between treatment and placebo groups was also noted when comparing the rate of deterioration of existing curvature of the penis. One man out of 35 (2.9%) who received Aminobenzoate Potassium experienced worsening of his condition during the year of treatment. In contrast, 13 out of 40 men (37.5%) in the placebo group experienced clinical deterioration with increased curvature during the same period.

The researchers concluded that Aminobenzoate Potassium may be able to stabilize Peyronie's Disease and prevent deterioration of penile curvature. This is important for two reasons. First, men with a plaque, but without penile deviation, may be able to avoid the development of curvature using Aminobenzoate Potassium treatment. Second, men with pre-existing curvature may prevent further deterioration and loss of sexual abilities.

Unlike other studies, this study did not demonstrate improvement of preexisting penile curvature. Therefore, prompt treatment is important to preserve erectile function and sexual abilities.

* Weidner W, Hauck E, Schnitker J. Potassium Paraaminobenzoate (Potaba®) in the Treatment of Peyronie's Disease: A Prospective, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study. European Urology 47 (2005) 530-536.

** Aminobenzoate Potassium is also known as Potassium Paraaminobenzoate or Potaba® (trademark of Glenwood Laboratories, Tenafly, NJ).