Uses
What is alfuzosin used for?
Alfuzosin is commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition where the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. An enlarged prostate may lead to problems with urination (peeing).
Alfuzosin is used to help reduce the following symptoms of BPH.
- Frequent need to pee
- Urgent need to pee
- Waking up overnight to pee
- Feeling like your bladder is not empty after you pee
- Trouble getting your flow of urine to start or stop
- Weak urine stream
- Having to strain or push while urinating
Alfuzosin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does alfuzosin work (mechanism of action)?
Alfuzosin is an alpha blocker. It works to relax certain muscles in your prostate and bladder. This improves the flow of urine and reduces the symptoms of BPH.
How is alfuzosin supplied (dosage forms)?
Alfuzosin is available as Uroxatral and generic alfuzosin in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 10 mg extended-release oral tablets
How should I store alfuzosin?
Alfuzosin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep the medicine away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of alfuzosin?
The most common side effects of alfuzosin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Infection in the nose or throat or common cold symptoms
- Tiredness
There may be other side effects of alfuzosin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of alfuzosin?
While less common, the most serious side effects of alfuzosin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Alfuzosin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using alfuzosin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Blood Pressure Upon Standing (Orthostatic Hypotension). Alfuzosin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a seated or lying position. To help prevent this, be careful not to get up too quickly. If you feel dizzy, lie down and put your legs and feet up. Once the dizziness stops, take your time getting up again. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they do not improve.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting upon standing
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Feeling weak
Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism). Alfuzosin may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking alfuzosin and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.
- Erection lasting for more than 4 hours
- Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
- Painful or tender penis
Chest Pain (Angina). Alfuzosin may cause chest pain. Chest pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack. Stop taking alfuzosin and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack.
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
- Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
- Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use alfuzosin?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use alfuzosin.
- Uroxatral
- Alfuzosin
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific alfuzosin products they stock.
Drug Interactions. Alfuzosin should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking alfuzosin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Liver Problems. Alfuzosin should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about alfuzosin before using it?
Do not take alfuzosin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share alfuzosin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep alfuzosin out of the reach of children.
Alfuzosin can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how alfuzosin affects you.
Do not chew, split, or crush alfuzosin tablets.
Do not take alfuzosin on an empty stomach. You should take alfuzosin with food at the same meal each day. For example, you can take alfuzosin with dinner every day.
Alfuzosin is commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. In some cases, BPH can occur at the same time as prostate cancer. Your healthcare provider may recommend getting tested for prostate cancer before you start alfuzosin and getting regular screenings thereafter.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using alfuzosin?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if alfuzosin is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Severe Kidney Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems now or in the past. It is not known if alfuzosin is safe to take if you have severe kidney problems. Your healthcare provider may not recommend alfuzosin if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be.
Low Blood Pressure. Taking alfuzosin may cause brief episodes of low blood pressure, which may result in dizziness or fainting. If you already have low blood pressure, this side effect may be more severe or more likely to occur. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems with low blood pressure. They can determine if alfuzosin is safe for you to take.
Heart Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a heart problem that causes chest pain (angina). Taking alfuzosin may cause or worsen chest pain. This risk may be higher in people with existing heart disease. Your healthcare provider can determine if alfuzosin is safe for you.
Heart Rhythm Changes. Alfuzosin may raise the risk of a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. If you or your family members were born with a heart condition that causes this heart rhythm change, or if you take certain medicines, this side effect may be more likely to occur. Your healthcare provider can determine if alfuzosin is safe for you to take.
Planned Eye Surgery. Taking alfuzosin may raise the risk of eye problems called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome during or after cataract or glaucoma surgery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are planning to have eye surgery. They may recommend that you wait until after the surgery is over to start alfuzosin.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how alfuzosin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if alfuzosin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does alfuzosin interact with foods or drinks?
Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting or avoiding grapefruit while taking alfuzosin. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of alfuzosin. This could raise your risk of side effects from alfuzosin.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect alfuzosin. The risk of side effects, such as dizziness, may be higher if you drink alcohol while taking alfuzosin.
Does alfuzosin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Alfuzosin interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you take.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking alfuzosin.
- A medicine for high blood pressure
- A medicine for chest pain, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
- A medicine in the same drug class as alfuzosin (alpha blocker), such as doxazosin (Cardura) or tamsulosin (Flomax)
- A medicine for fungal infections, such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- A type of medicine called a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), which are used for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- An antiviral medicine for HIV, such as ritonavir (Norvir)
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with alfuzosin. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much alfuzosin?
If you or someone else has used too much alfuzosin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of alfuzosin?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)?
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