Alfuzosin: Uses, Side Effects & Warnings

Generic name: alfuzosin [ al-fue-zoe-sin ]

Drug class: Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists

Dosage form: oral tablet, extended release (10 mg)

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Uroxatral

What is Alfuzosin?

Alfuzosin is an alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-Jk) blocker that is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Alfuzosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not take alfuzosin if you have moderate to severe liver disease.

Many drugs can affect alfuzosin, and some should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.

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.

How should I take Alfuzosin

Your doctor may test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer before you take alfuzosin.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take alfuzosin just after a meal, at the same time each day. Do not take the medicine on an empty stomach.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Alfuzosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it. You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:

Extended-release tablet: 10 mg orally once a day immediately after the same meal each day

Detailed Alfuzosin dosage information
Alfuzosin Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

You should not take alfuzosin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • moderate to severe liver disease.

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with alfuzosin. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

  • an antibiotic;

  • antifungal medicine;

  • heart medication;

  • antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS; or

  • medicines similar to alfuzosin (doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, tamsulosin, or terazosin).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • low blood pressure, especially if caused by taking medications;

  • liver disease;

  • kidney disease;

  • prostate cancer; or

  • long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

Alfuzosin can affect your pupils. If you have cataract surgery, tell your surgeon ahead of time that you use alfuzosin.

Alfuzosin is not for use in women, and the effects of this medicine during pregnancy or in breastfeeding women are unknown.

Alfuzosin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

What should I avoid while using Alfuzosin?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how alfuzosin will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Alfuzosin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alfuzosin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

  • new or worsening chest pain;

  • upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

  • penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Common side effects of alfuzosin may include:

  • dizziness;

  • headache; or

  • feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Alfuzosin Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Alfuzosin?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can increase your risk of very low blood pressure while taking alfuzosin, especially:

  • heart or blood pressure medication;

  • nitrate medication (such as nitroglycerin); or

  • sildenafil (Viagra) and other erectile dysfunction medicines.

This list is not complete. Many other drugs can affect alfuzosin, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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