Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex
US Brand Name
- Uroxatral
Descriptions
Alfuzosin is used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Benign enlargement of the prostate is a problem that can occur in men as they get older. The prostate gland is located below the bladder. As the prostate gland enlarges, certain muscles in the gland may become tight and get in the way of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. This can cause problems with urinating, such as a need to urinate often, a weak stream when urinating, or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely.
Alfuzosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate and the opening of the bladder. This may help increase the flow of urine or decrease the symptoms. However, alfuzosin will not shrink the prostate. The prostate may continue to get larger. This may cause the symptoms to become worse over time. Therefore, even though alfuzosin may lessen the problems caused by enlarged prostate now, surgery may still be needed in the future.
This medicine is usually given only to men. It is not normally given to women or children.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet, Extended Release
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Alfuzosin is not indicated for use in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of alfuzosin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults and are likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving alfuzosin.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Atazanavir
- Bepridil
- Boceprevir
- Cisapride
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Darunavir
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Fosamprenavir
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Levoketoconazole
- Lopinavir
- Mesoridazine
- Nelfinavir
- Nirmatrelvir
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tipranavir
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Adagrasib
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Bunazosin
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clothiapine
- Clozapine
- Crizotinib
- Dabrafenib
- Dapiprazole
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxazosin
- Droperidol
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Escitalopram
- Fedratinib
- Fexinidazole
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Leuprolide
- Levofloxacin
- Lofexidine
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Methadone
- Metronidazole
- Mirtazapine
- Mobocertinib
- Moxifloxacin
- Moxisylyte
- Nafarelin
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Ofloxacin
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Pacritinib
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentolamine
- Pimavanserin
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Prazosin
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Selpercatinib
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Silodosin
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tadalafil
- Tamsulosin
- Telavancin
- Terazosin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tolazoline
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimazosin
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Urapidil
- Vandetanib
- Vemurafenib
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Alprenolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Dilevalol
- Diltiazem
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Mepindolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Propranolol
- Sildenafil
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Timolol
- Vardenafil
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Angina (chest pain) or
- Heart rhythm problems (eg, congenital or acquired QT prolongation), or history of or
- Postural hypotension (low blood pressure)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Liver disease, moderate or severe—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Liver disease, mild—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
Proper Use
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Take this medicine with food and with the same meal every day.
Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (extended release tablets):
- For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
- Adults—10 milligrams (mg) once a day.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Do not use this medicine if you are taking ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), or ritonavir (Norvir®).
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur after you use this medicine, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. If you feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. Then sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness from returning.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Tell your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you have used or are using this medicine before cataract surgery or any other eye procedure. This medicine may cause a serious eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS).
Call your doctor right away if you experience a prolonged erection. This is an extremely rare side effect, but if it goes untreated, can result in permanent erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Check with your doctor right away if you have arm, back or jaw pain, chest pain or discomfort, chest tightness or heaviness, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, or sweating.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia can have the same symptoms as prostate cancer. They may also often occur together. Your doctor may test for the presence of the cancer before you start using this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Chest pain
- chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
- fainting
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- painful or prolonged erection of the penis
Incidence not known
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- bloody urine
- chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
- clay-colored stools
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- fever
- headache
- hives, welts, itching, skin rash
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- stomach pain
- sweating
- swelling
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Belching
- body aches or pain
- congestion
- cough
- cough producing mucus
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty having a bowel movement
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- ear congestion
- heartburn
- hoarseness
- inability to have or keep an erection
- indigestion
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- loss of voice
- nasal congestion
- pain
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stomach discomfort or upset
- stuffy or runny nose
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- tightness in the chest
- trouble with swallowing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- voice changes
Incidence not known
- Feeling of warmth
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/alfuzosin-oral-route/side-effects/DRG-20061611
Copyright © 2023 IBM Watson Health. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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FAQs
Why is alfuzosin taken at night? ›
To avoid injury from dizziness or fainting, your doctor may tell you to take your first dose of alfuzosin with food at bedtime so that your body can get used to its effects. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it after the same meal each day.
Does alfuzosin improve erectile dysfunction? ›Alfuzosin 10 mg once daily for 1 year is effective in improving LUTS and quality of life, and is well tolerated. It may even improve sexual function in those men with concomitant erectile and/or ejaculatory dysfunction.
What is the best way to take alfuzosin? ›Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water - do not break or chew the tablet. Your first dose of alfuzosin may make you feel dizzy or faint, so it is important that you take it just before you go to bed.
Is alfuzosin bad for kidneys? ›For people with liver problems: Don't take alfuzosin if you have moderate or severe liver problems. If your liver isn't working well, more of the drug may stay in your body. This increases your risk of side effects. For people with kidney problems: Use this medication with caution if you have severe kidney problems.
Can alfuzosin make you pee more? ›This can cause problems with urinating, such as a need to urinate often, a weak stream when urinating, or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely. Alfuzosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate and the opening of the bladder. This may help increase the flow of urine or decrease the symptoms.
Which is better Flomax or alfuzosin? ›Uroxatral (alfuzosin) is a good treatment for an enlarged prostate if medical treatment is needed. Flomax (tamsulosin) works just as well as similar medications but with fewer and less severe side effects.
How long can you stay on alfuzosin? ›Conclusions: Alfuzosin 10 mg administered for 2 years in real practice is effective in improving LUTS and quality of life, and is well tolerated from a cardiovascular perspective, including in elderly men and those receiving antihypertensive co-medication. Ejaculatory disorders are uncommon.
Do I have to take alfuzosin forever? ›Frequently asked questions about alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
How long will it take alfuzosin (Uroxatral) to work? Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) can start to relieve your BPH symptoms around 4 weeks after starting it. It's important that you continue to take alfuzosin (Uroxatral) even if you don't feel better right away.
Except for the recent debate on the association of dementia with tamsulosin, there appears to be no evidence that the remaining α-blockers (alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin, and silodosin) cause cognitive impairment.
Is alfuzosin bad for your liver? ›Among the various alpha blockers used for hypertension or prostatic hypertrophy, alfuzosin has been most frequently associated with liver injury, but no instances of acute liver failure or vanishing bile duct syndrome have been described with it use.
Is alfuzosin linked to dementia? ›
In addition, in the dox- azosin, terazosin and alfuzosin cohorts higher dose levels were also associated with a decreased risk of dementia. On multivariate analysis between the tamsulosin and the other medication cohorts the risk of dementia did not significantly differ at the referent and low dose levels.
Does alfuzosin raise blood pressure? ›Alfuzosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially if you take heart or blood pressure medications. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how alfuzosin will affect you. Call your doctor at once if you feel light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
Should alfuzosin be taken at night or day? ›Alfuzosin hydrochloride 2.5mg tablets should be swallowed whole. The first dose should be given just before bedtime. The usual dose is one tablet three times daily.
Does alfuzosin affect bowel movements? ›Conclusions: In a randomized trial, alfuzosin reduced anal pressure at rest and during simulated evacuation in healthy and constipated women, compared with placebo, but did not improve bowel symptoms in constipated women.
What is the best time of day to take alfuzosin? ›It is usually taken once a day, immediately after a meal. Do not take alfuzosin on an empty stomach. To help you remember to take alfuzosin, take it after the same meal every day.
Is it OK to take alfuzosin every other day? ›Conclusions: In men with LUTS who responded to alfuzosin, changing the dosing regimen from daily to once every other day resulted in similar efficacy and safety at 3 and 6 months.
What is the best prostate medication on the market? ›- Gundry MD Pro-Forta Men.
- Nuzena Prostate Support +
- PhytAge Labs Prostate 911.
- ProstaStream.
- PX7 PrimalFlow.
- VigRX Prostate Support.
- VitalFlow.
- VitaPost Prostate Plus.
- Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or terazosin (Hytrin), which relax muscle tissue.
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar), which shrink the prostate.
The American Urological Association (AUA) guideline on the management of BPH suggests that alpha blockers alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, and terazosin are appropriate and effective treatment options for men with bothersome LUTS/BPH.
What are the 9 memory robbing drugs? ›- Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines) ...
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins) ...
- Antiseizure drugs. ...
- Antidepressant drugs (Tricyclic antidepressants) ...
- Narcotic painkillers. ...
- Parkinson's drugs (Dopamine agonists) ...
- Hypertension drugs (Beta-blockers)
Can alfuzosin cause heart failure? ›
Evidence from prospective randomized trials demonstrating an increased risk of cardiac failure with ABs for hypertension (alfuzosin in ALLHAT7) and 5ARIs as prostate cancer prevention (dutasteride in REDUCE1) have raised safety concerns among clinicians, as these medications are typically used as long-term management ...
Does alfuzosin cause insomnia? ›Examples: alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), terazosin (Hytrin) and tamsulosin (Flomax). How they can cause insomnia: Alpha-blockers are linked to decreased REM (rapid eye movement) sleep — the stage of sleep when people dream — and daytime sedation or sleepiness.
Is alfuzosin habit forming? ›No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Alfuzosin.
When is the best time of day to take alfuzosin? ›It is usually taken once a day, immediately after a meal. Do not take alfuzosin on an empty stomach. To help you remember to take alfuzosin, take it after the same meal every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Is it better to take Flomax at night or in the morning? ›Flomax can cause a drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting to standing. Symptoms may include feeling dizzy, lightheaded or fainting. If you have these symptoms, you may wish to take Flomax at bedtime. If Flomax doesn't cause these problems for you, you may take it in the morning.
Does alfuzosin work immediately? ›How long will it take alfuzosin (Uroxatral) to work? Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) can start to relieve your BPH symptoms around 4 weeks after starting it. It's important that you continue to take alfuzosin (Uroxatral) even if you don't feel better right away.
How long does it take for alfuzosin to start working? ›Alfuzosin is used in adult men to treat slow urination due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Most men experience an improvement in urination in 2 to 3 weeks.
How many years can you take alfuzosin? ›Conclusions: Alfuzosin 10 mg administered for 2 years in real practice is effective in improving LUTS and quality of life, and is well tolerated from a cardiovascular perspective, including in elderly men and those receiving antihypertensive co-medication. Ejaculatory disorders are uncommon.
Does alfuzosin affect blood pressure? ›Alfuzosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially if you take heart or blood pressure medications. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how alfuzosin will affect you. Call your doctor at once if you feel light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.
Why do you wait 30 minutes after eating to take Flomax? ›Take tamsulosin (Flomax) 30 minutes after the same meal every day. This will help your body absorb the proper amount of medication. Swallow tamsulosin (Flomax) capsules whole.
What should you not drink with an enlarged prostate? ›
Cutting back on coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate may improve urinary symptoms of BPH. Alcohol: Alcohol can also stimulate urine production. Men with BPH may find that their symptoms are improved by giving up alcohol. Sodium: A high salt intake may increase the urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH.
Does Flomax stop nighttime urination? ›Is Flomax the problem? Nocturia, or frequent nighttime urination, is a common problem for men. It is one of the lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic enlargement. Flomax, the medication you were prescribed, is designed to improve lower urinary tract symptoms caused by prostatic enlargement.
Is alfuzosin worth taking? ›Alfuzosin has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10 from a total of 70 reviews on Drugs.com. 38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 36% reported a negative experience.