Alfuzosin

About Alfuzosin

Alfuzosin blocks alpha-1 receptors in the prostate, bladder base and bladder neck, relaxing the muscle so urine passes more easily. It controls the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia without curing the condition, and it is not for high blood pressure, children or women. Much less is absorbed on an empty stomach, which is why it is taken immediately after the same meal every day.

Dizziness, upper respiratory infections, headache and tiredness are the most common side effects. A fall in blood pressure on standing, with dizziness or fainting, can start within a few hours of a dose, more often early on or with blood pressure medicines or nitrates. Very rarely it causes priapism, a painful erection that will not go away, which needs immediate medical attention to prevent permanent erection problems. If angina appears or worsens, the label says it should be stopped.

It must not be taken by people with moderate or severe liver impairment or an allergy to it, or with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir, and should not be combined with another alpha blocker. It needs caution in severe kidney impairment and with a prolonged QT interval or QT-prolonging medicines. Prostate cancer is checked for before starting, and the eye surgeon must know about it before cataract surgery because of floppy iris syndrome.

Taking Alfuzosin

How to take it

One tablet once a day, immediately after the same meal each day; do not take it on an empty stomach. Swallow it whole; do not split, chew or crush it.

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose; in that case skip the missed dose and carry on as usual. Do not take a double dose to make up.

Storage

At room temperature, protected from light and moisture, in a tightly closed container out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir must not be taken with it, and diltiazem and cimetidine, including over-the-counter cimetidine, raise its levels. It should not be combined with another alpha blocker, and blood pressure medicines, nitrates, sildenafil, tadalafil and similar drugs add to the risk of low blood pressure and fainting. Medicines that prolong the QT interval need care. Get emergency help for a painful erection that will not go away.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Alfuzosin differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic alfuzosin is made by several manufacturers and comes in one strength taken once a day, so quotes are easy to compare like for like. The differences come mostly from each pharmacy’s dispensing fee and markup, which vary between chains, independents and mail-order pharmacies.

Brand Uroxatral is still sold, and a prescription that names it without allowing substitution can only be filled with the brand. As a long-term medicine, it suits a ninety-day fill with one dispensing fee.

Ways to pay less for Alfuzosin without insurance

• Make sure the prescription is written for alfuzosin, or allows substitution, so you are quoted for the generic rather than Uroxatral.
• Ask for a ninety-day supply, since treatment for an enlarged prostate is usually ongoing.
• Ask whether alfuzosin is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Alfuzosin

1. 1.Which meal should I take it after, and what if I skip that meal?
2. 2.What should I do if I feel dizzy or faint when I stand up?
3. 3.Is it safe with my blood pressure, nitrate, heart rhythm or erectile dysfunction medicines?
4. 4.What should I tell my eye surgeon before cataract surgery?
5. 5.What should I do if I get an erection that will not go away?

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