Potassium para-aminobenzoate for the treatment of Peyronie's disease: is it effective?

Tech Urol. 1997 Fall;3(3):135-9.

Abstract

The medical treatment of Peyronie's disease remains controversial. Oral and injectable medications have been used with little documented disease specific effectiveness. Potassium para-aminobenzoate (POTABA) has long been suggested as a treatment for the plaque, curvature, and pain produced by chronic Peyronie's disease. We report a retrospective review of 32 patients treated for at least 3 months with 12 g of POTABA powder daily and followed for 8 to 24 months. Symptom resolution demonstrated improvement in penile discomfort in 8 of 18 patients, decreased plaque size in 18 of 32 patients, and improvement in penile angulation in 18 of 31 patients. Complete resolution of angulation was reported in 8 of 31 patients. While this review was retrospective and uncontrolled, it does suggest a place for POTABA in the treatment of Peyronie's disease. In order to confirm these findings and to control for the natural history of spontaneous resolution of Peyronie's disease symptomatology, a prospective, double-blind, multicenter, well-controlled study with objective criteria should be established.

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminobenzoic Acid / administration & dosage
  • 4-Aminobenzoic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Penile Induration / drug therapy*
  • Powders
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Powders
  • 4-Aminobenzoic Acid