Uroxatral (Alfuzosin ER)

What is Uroxatral?

Uroxatral (alfuzosin) belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha-adrenergic blockers.

What is Uroxatral used for?

Uroxatral is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is also known as enlarged prostate. It is important to note that the medicine does not treat high blood pressure.

How does Uroxatral work?

Uroxatral works by relaxing the veins and arteries. Once these veins and arteries have relaxed around the affected prostate and bladder neck, there’s an increase in the urinary tract. This permits urine to flow freely out of the bladder.

How to use Uroxatral

It is advisable to take Uroxatral in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts may cause health problems.

Uroxatral is usually taken once a day, with a full glass of water. You can take the medicine just after a meal. Don’t take it on an empty stomach as it may reduce its effectiveness. Don’t crush, chew or open the Uroxatral tablet. Just swallow it. Remember to take Uroxatral capsule around the same time each day.

Get your blood tested on a regular basis while taking Uroxatral.

Uroxatral warnings and precautions

Do not take Uroxatral if you have liver disease, or if you use antifungal medications such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, or itraconazole.

Prior to taking this medicine , tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have a prostate cancer, low blood pressure, coronary artery disease, kidney or liver disease, angina pain, or a personal/family history of long QT syndrome. You may need a dose adjustment.

Do not get up too fast from a lying or sitting position in order to prevent a fall. Avoid performing activities that require alertness, for example driving. Also, avoid consuming grapefruit (or grapefruit juice), while being treated with this medicine.

If you have to have a cataract surgery done, tell your surgeon in advance about the use of Uroxatral and don’t stop taking the medication unless your surgeon advises you to.

This medicine is not to be used by women. Consult your doctor for more information.

What do I do if I have missed a Uroxatral dose?

If you have missed your Uroxatral dose, you can take the missed dose anytime but not immediately before the next scheduled dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Uroxatral overdose?

If you have taken an Uroxatral overdose you should seek medical attention.

Uroxatral interactions

Before taking Uroxatral, consult your doctor if you are using drugs like cimetidine (Tagamet), atenolol (Tenormin), diltiazem (Cardizem CD, Tiazac, Cartia XT), conivaptan (Vaprisol), imatinib (Gleevec), enoxacin (Penetrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze), isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis), antidepressant like nefazodone; antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid); heart or blood pressure medicine such as nicardipine (Cardene), diltiazem (Dilacor, Cardizem, Tiazac), quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Covera, Isoptin, Calan, Verelan); or a nitrate heart medication, such as isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket).

Using Uroxatral with HIV /AIDS medicine such as

Uroxatral side effects

Uroxatral side effects include hives, swelling, breathing trouble, chest pain, nausea, stomach ache, loss of appetite, fever, dark colored urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, and painful penis erection that lasts for more than 4 hours.  If any of these signs occur after taking Uroxatral, stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor right away.

Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, diarrhea, constipation, tingly feeling under skin, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, and cough are some less serious side effects of Uroxatral.