Pronunciation: al-FUE-zoe-sin
Generic Name: Alfuzosin
Brand Name: Uroxatral
Alfuzosin is used for:
Treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Alfuzosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by blocking receptors in the lower urinary tract, causing smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate to relax. This relaxation improves urine flow and reduces the symptoms of BPH.
Do NOT use Alfuzosin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Alfuzosin
- you have moderate to severe liver problems
- you are taking an alpha-blocker (eg, prazosin), an azole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole), an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, erythromycin), nefazodone, or telithromycin
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Alfuzosin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Alfuzosin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you will have cataract surgery or other procedures involving the eyes
- if you have low blood pressure, liver problems, kidney problems, other prostate gland problems, or cancer
- if you have chest pain or if you or a family member have heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat, angina)
- if you take medicine for high blood pressure
- if you have a history of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially after taking certain other medicines
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alfuzosin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin), amiodarone, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), nefazodone, nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin), phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (eg, sildenafil), or telithromycin because the risk of side effects, such as severe low blood pressure, may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alfuzosin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Alfuzosin:
Use Alfuzosin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Alfuzosin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Alfuzosin by mouth with food. Take with the same meal every day.
- Swallow Alfuzosin whole. Do not break, crush, split, or chew before swallowing.
- Taking Alfuzosin at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Take Alfuzosin on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- If you miss a dose of Alfuzosin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Alfuzosin.
Important safety information:
- Alfuzosin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Alfuzosin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Alfuzosin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Avoid situations in which injury could occur because of fainting.
- Contact your doctor immediately if chest pain occurs or worsens.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Alfuzosin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- If you have eye surgery for cataract (clouding of the eye) planned, tell your eye doctor that you are using Alfuzosin or have taken an alpha-blocker in the past.
- Alfuzosin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
- You will need to have regular check-ups with your doctor while you are using Alfuzosin. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Alfuzosin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Alfuzosin can cause harm to the fetus. It is not known if Alfuzosin is found in breast milk. Alfuzosin is not approved for use in women.
Possible side effects of Alfuzosin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; headache; stomach pain; stuffy or runny nose.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); back pain; chest pain; dark urine; decreased sexual ability; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; joint pain; painful, prolonged erection; pale stools; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain; unusual fatigue or weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Alfuzosin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Low blood pressure may occur if Alfuzosin is taken in higher doses than prescribed. Symptoms may include fainting; irregular heartbeat.
Proper storage of Alfuzosin:
Store Alfuzosin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Alfuzosin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Alfuzosin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Alfuzosin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Alfuzosin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Alfuzosin resources
- Alfuzosin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Alfuzosin Dosage
- Alfuzosin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Alfuzosin Drug Interactions
- Alfuzosin Support Group
- 12 Reviews for Alfuzosin - Add your own review/rating
- Alfuzosin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- alfuzosin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Alfuzosin Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Uroxatral Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Uroxatral Consumer Overview
Compare Alfuzosin with other medications
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
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