Uroxatral

1 What is Uroxatral?

Brand: Uroxatral

Generic: Alfuzosin

Uroxatral 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 urination, such as the need to urinate often (polyuria), a weak stream when urinating or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely.

Uroxatral 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 to become worse over time.

Therefore, even though alfuzosin may lessen the problems caused by enlarged prostate now, surgery still may be needed in the future. This medication is given only to men. It is not normally given to women or children.

This medication is only available with your doctor’s prescription. This medication is available in the following forms:

  • Extended release tablet

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using Uroxatral, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. This is a decision that you and your doctor will make together.

For this medication, there are many things that need to be considered:

Allergies: Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to doxorubicin or to any other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor of any non-medicine allergies such as foods, dyes, preservatives or animals.

Pediatric: The use of this medication is not indicated in children.

Geriatric: Up-to-date studies have not shown any problems specific to the elderly that would limit the use of this medication in the elderly population.

Pregnancy: This medication is listed as Pregnancy Category B. This means that animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the unborn baby, however, there are are no studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse affect to the unborn baby, but studies in pregnant women have not shown a risk to the unborn baby.

Breastfeeding: There are no up-to-date studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential risks with the benefits before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Certain medications should not be used together. However, in certain cases, two medications may be used together, even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or take other precautions.

When taking this medication, it is important that you inform your doctor if you are taking any of the medications listed below. The following interactions were selected on the basis of potential significance and are not all-inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, or change some of the other medications you take.

  • Amifampridine
  • Atazanavir
  • Bepridil
  • Boceprevir
  • Cisapride
  • Clarithromycin
  • Cobicistat
  • Darunavir
  • Dronedarone
  • Fluconazole
  • Fosamprenavir
  • Idelalisib
  • Indinavir
  • Itraconazole
  • Ketoconazole
  • Lopinavir
  • Mesoridazine
  • Nelfinavir
  • Pimozide
  • Piperaquine
  • Posaconazole
  • Ritonavir
  • Saquinavir
  • Sparfloxacin
  • Telaprevir
  • Telithromycin
  • Terfenadine
  • Thioridazine
  • Tipranavir
  • Ziprasidone

Using this medication with any of the following medication is not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. Your doctor may make the decision not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medications you take.

  • Amiodarone
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amoxapine
  • Anagrelide
  • Apomorphine
  • Aripiprazole
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Asenapine
  • Astemizole
  • Azithromycin
  • Bedaquiline
  • Buserelin
  • Chloroquine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Citalopram
  • Clomipramine
  • Clozapine
  • Crizotinib
  • Dabrafenib
  • Dasatinib
  • Degarelix
  • Delamanid
  • Desipramine
  • Deslorelin
  • Disopyramide
  • Dofetilide
  • Dolasetron
  • Domperidone
  • Donepezil
  • Droperidol
  • Escitalopram
  • Fingolimod
  • Flecainide
  • Fluoxetine
  • Gatifloxacin
  • Gemifloxacin
  • Gonadorelin
  • Goserelin
  • Granisetron
  • Halofantrine
  • Haloperidol
  • Histrelin
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Ibutilide
  • Iloperidone
  • Imipramine
  • Ivabradine
  • Lapatinib
  • Leuprolide
  • Levofloxacin
  • Lumefantrine
  • Mefloquine
  • Metronidazole
  • Moxifloxacin
  • Nafarelin
  • Nilotinib
  • Norfloxacin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Ofloxacin
  • Ondansetron
  • Paliperidone
  • Panobinostat
  • Pasireotide
  • Pazopanib
  • Perflutren Lipid Microsphere
  • Procainamide
  • Prochlorperazine
  • Promethazine
  • Propafenone
  • Protriptyline
  • Quetiapine
  • Quinidine
  • Quinine
  • Ranolazine
  • Salmeterol
  • Sevoflurane
  • Sodium Phosphate
  • Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
  • Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
  • Solifenacin
  • Sorafenib
  • Sunitinib
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tadalafil
  • Telavancin
  • Tetrabenazine
  • Tizanidine
  • Toremifene
  • Trazodone
  • Trifluoperazine
  • Trimipramine
  • Triptorelin
  • Vandetanib
  • Vemurafenib
  • Vinflunine

Using this medication with any of the following medications may increase your risk of side effects. However, using both medications may be the best treatment for you. If both medications are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both medications.

  • 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
  • Sotalol
  • Talinolol
  • Tertatolol
  • Timolol
  • Vardenafil

Other Interactions: Certain medications should not be used while eating, or while eating certain foods in case of negative interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain mediations may also cause negative interactions. Talk with your doctor about the use of your medication with food, alcohol or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems: Pre-existing medical problems may affect the use of this medication.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Angina (severe chest pain)
  • Heart rhythm problems (i.e. congenital or acquired QT prolongation),
  • Postural hypotension (low blood pressure when changing from a laying to standing position) - Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Cataract surgery - An eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in patients who are taking or who have recently taken this medicine when they are having cataract surgery. You should tell your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) before your surgery if you are taking or have taken this medication in the previous months.
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease, mild - Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medication from the body.
  • Liver disease, moderate or severe - Should not be used in patients with this condition.

3 Proper Usage

Proper usage of Uroxatral requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Do not take more, less or for a longer or shorter period of time than your doctor tells you.

This medication comes with a patient information brochure. It is very important that your read this information. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medication should be taken with food at the same time every day. Swallow the extended-release tablet. Do not break, crush or chew it.

Dosing: Different patients will be given a different dose of this medication based on the strength of the medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses and the length of time you take this medication depends on the reason you are taking this medication.

The following information only includes the average dose of this medication. If your dose is different, do not change it without first speaking to your doctor.

  • Adults - 10mg once a day
  • Children - Use is not recommended

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule. Do not double dose.

Storage: Store this medication in a closed container at room temperature. Keep it away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze.

Keep our of the reach of children. Do not keep expired medication or medication you no longer need. Ask your doctor how to dispose of any medication you do not use.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Uroxatral, there are some precautions you must take. It is very important that your doctor checks in with you often while you are receiving this medication to make sure that it is working properly.

Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medications without asking your doctor.

Do not take this medication if you are taking certain medications such as:

  • ketoconazole
  • itraconazole
  • ritonavir

Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting may occur after you take this medication, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may lessen this problem. If you feel dizzy, lie back down so you do not faint. Sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness or lightheadedness from returning.

This medication may cause some people to become dizzy or less alert than normal. This is more likely to happen when you begin taking this medication, or when you increase the dosage. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving, using machinery or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you dizzy or not alert.

If you experience a prolonged erection, seek medical attention immediately. This is a very rare side effect, but if it goes untreated, it can result in permanent erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Stop using this medication and check with your doctor immediately if you have:

This medication ma affects the results of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which may be used to detect prostate cancer. Be sure that you inform you, doctors, that you are using this medication.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Uroxatral. Although not all of these side-effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side-effects:

Rare:

Some side effects that may occur do not normally need medical attention. These may leave as your body becomes accustomed to treatment. Ask your doctor about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Talk to your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have questions:

More common:

Less common:

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Belching
  • Body aches or pain
  • Congestion
  • A cough
  • A cough producing mucus
  • Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • Dryness or soreness of the throat
  • Ear congestion
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • 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, upset, or pain
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Tender, swollen glands in the neck
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Voice changes
  • Wheezing

Rare:

  • Rash

Some patients may experience other side effects that are not listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any other side effects. Ask your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Top