Comparative evaluation of efficacy of use of naftopidil and/or celecoxib for medical treatment of distal ureteral stones

We performed a randomized, prospective study to assess the possible role of combined a1D-receptor antagonist naftopidil and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory hormones celecoxib for the spontaneous expulsion of distal ureteral stones. Patients were randomized to one of the three treatment groups. Treatment group 1 patients received naftopidil 50 mg/day, group 2 patients received naftopidil 50 mg/day plus celecoxib 200 mg (Take two capsules (400 mg) by mouth immediately, then take one capsule (200 mg) by mouth every 12 h), and group 3 patients received celecoxib 200 mg (Take two capsules (400 mg) by mouth immediately, then take one capsule (200 mg) by mouth every 12 h). All patients were instructed to drink at least 2 L of fluids daily. Pain descriptions were recorded by the patients using the visual analog scale. All patients were followed up for 2 weeks. A total of 105 patients provided consent and 103 patients completed the study. Stone expulsion was observed in 29 patients in group 1 (29 of 35, 82.86 %), 33 patients in group 2 (33 of 35, 94.29 %) and 20 patients in group 3 (20 of 33, 60.61 %). A statistically significant difference was noted with Chi-square testing for stone expulsion rate between groups 1 and 3, and groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.04 and P = 0.000, respectively). Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to access the expulsion rate of each group over time. A significant difference was shown for the expulsion rate between the group 3 and the other two groups. (P < 0.001 by log-rank test).Average time to expulsion for groups 1, 2 and 3 was 8.00 ± 2.07, 7.70 ± 2.34 and 10.65 ± 2.92 days, respectively (P = 0.000). Treatment with naftopidil and celecoxib appears to be beneficial in distal ureter stone clearance, shortened the expulsion time, and could be used reliably and successfully to reduce the frequency and intensity of the pain episodes particularly.