Alfuzosin Uses, Side Effects & Precautions

In this blog, we have shared all details regarding Alfuzosin uses, side effects, and more.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Alfuzosin is used in the treatment of the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or we can say an enlarged prostate, which includes urinary frequency and urgency, painful urination, and difficulty urinating like the weak stream, hesitation, dribbling, and incomplete bladder emptying. Alfuzosin comes under the class of medications called alpha-blockers. It does not shrink the prostate, alfuzosin works in the prostate by giving relaxation to the muscles and in the bladder to allow urine to flow more easily. Don’t ever try to use this medication to treat high blood pressure.

In 1978, Alfuzosin was patented and in 1988, approved for medical use. In 2003, It was approved in the United States for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). In 2017, In the United States with more than one million prescriptions, alfuzosin was the 266th most commonly prescribed medication.

How should Alfuzosin be used? 

Alfuzosin is available in the form of extended-release (long-acting) tablets to take by mouth. Usually, doctors will prescribe this medication to be used twice a day, immediately after a meal. Your healthcare professionals will suggest you don’t try to take this medication on an empty stomach. If you want to get the most benefits from the alfuzosin then use this medication regularly in order. And to help you remember to always use it at around the same time each day. Take this medication exactly as directed by your healthcare professionals. 

If you have crushed or chew extended-release tablets, it may release all of the drugs at once and because of that, it can increase the risk of side effects. Don’t split the tablet until your doctor tells you to do so. And without crushing or chewing swallow the whole or split tablet of alfuzosin.

Your doctor may tell you to take this medication first dose, to avoid injury from dizziness or fainting, with food at bedtime so that your body can get used to its effects.

Usually, within a few hours after you take this medication, it can cause a drop in your blood pressure suddenly. During these times, when you restart taking this medication the risk is higher, or when you first start taking alfuzosin try to avoid situations where you may be injured if you faint. And remember that alfuzosin does not cure Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) but it only controls it.

If you have any type of question or anything that you don’t understand then ask that to your health care professionals and follow your prescription label carefully as directed. Don’t try to use this medication more or less often than prescribed by your health care professionals and use the alfuzosin exactly in the same quantity that your doctor prescribed you to take. Don’t try to stop using this medication even If you are feeling well then continue to use alfuzosin without consulting your health care professional.

Other uses for alfuzosin

Your health care professional can also prescribe this medication for other uses and you can ask them for more information or other uses of alfuzosin.

What happens if I overdose?

Some of the symptoms or side effects can occur because of an overdose of alfuzosin. Talk to your healthcare professionals if you have experienced any of the following symptoms or side effects immediately.

Some symptoms of overdose of alfuzosin medication:

  • Lightheaded.
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea.
  • Faint.
  • Blurred vision.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

While taking this medication, you can eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. Always follow your dietary recommendations and exercise plan made by your health care professional. And ask your doctor for instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. If your doctor didn’t give you any instructions, you can continue your normal diet.

What special precautions should I follow?

If you have experienced or faced any of the problems mentioned above then contact your health care professionals immediately. Follow all the mentioned precautions carefully, these are all precautions that you can take while using this product.

You should have followed this special precaution before using alfuzosin:

  • If you are allergic to alfuzosin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in alfuzosin then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask them for all ingredients of alfuzosin by which you are allergic.
  • Before using the alfuzosin, you should know that this medication is created for the use of men not for women. Women should not take this medication.
  • Special case, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant and you want to take this drug then tell your doctor and pharmacist immediately.
  • When you are taking any drug such as itraconazole such as Sporanox, ketoconazole such as Nizoral, or ritonavir such as Norvir then tell your doctor and pharmacist because he/she will tell you not to take this drug.
  • If you have any medical history or liver disease then tell your doctor and pharmacist because he/she will tell you not to take this drug.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery while taking alfuzosin then tell your doctor and dentist.
  • Don’t ever try to drive a car because this drug may make you dizzy or drowsy and not operate any machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
  • During or after your treatment, if you are having or need to have eye surgery and you are taking this product then tell your doctor.
  • Before having the alfuzosin medication, you should know about the common problem you’ll face that when you try to get up too quickly from a lying position you’ll feel dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. So, if you want to avoid this problem then stand up from bed slowly, and for a few minutes, before standing up, rest your feet on the floor.

Side Effects

Don’t use it for a longer time period than prescribed, but in case, If you’re using this medication for prolonged or repeated long periods then it may result in some serious side effects. If you notice or feel any of the new or worsening symptoms then tell your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication only uses serious side effects because people that are using alfuzosin have some serious side effects. Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest alfuzosin by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.

Some common side effects of alfuzosin:

If you experience any of these common side effects or symptoms and do not go away  or are getting worse, then stop taking or using alfuzosin and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel pain.
  • You’ll feel lightheaded.
  • You’ll feel stomach pain.
  • You’ll feel dizziness.
  • You’ll feel heartburn.
  • You’ll feel constipation.
  • You’ll feel a decrease in sexual ability.
  • You’ll feel sore throat, fever, chills, cough, and other signs of infection.
  • You’ll feel tired.
  • You’ll feel a headache.
  • You’ll feel a runny or stuffy nose.
  • You’ll feel nausea.

Some serious side effects of alfuzosin:

If you experience any of these serious side effects or symptoms and do not go away  or are getting worse, then stop taking or using alfuzosin and call your doctor immediately:

  • You’ll feel difficulty swallowing or breathing.
  • You’ll feel rash.
  • You’ll feel swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
  • You’ll feel chest pain.
  • You’ll feel a fast or irregular heartbeat.
  • You’ll feel hoarse.
  • You’ll start serving dizziness.
  • You’ll feel faint.

It can also cause other side effects and if you have any unusual problems while using this product then immediately contact your health care professionals because this is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of this medication.

What can I do if I forget a dose?

If you forgot to take this medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double.

What are the Interactions of alfuzosin?

Your healthcare professionals can already be aware of any drug interactions. Don’t try to change, stop, or start the dosage of any medicine before checking or before talking to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, other vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, or planning to take them, then tell your doctor and pharmacist before starting the treatment with this product.

As prazosin, terazosin or other alpha-blocker drugs are the product to which this drug can interact and may cause some side effects. You will feel dizziness or fainting when you are taking this medication in the treatment of erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension, or your blood pressure can also get too low.  

Some medications that can affect the removal of this drug from your body, and it can affect how it works: Telaprevir, telithromycin, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), ribociclib, HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir, ritonavir), boceprevir, cobicistat, clarithromycin, nefazodone, among others.

Before using the alfuzosin medication, tell your healthcare professionals of all the products you use because this documentation doesn’t contain all the possible interactions. And the most important thing when you are taking these products doesn’t start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines you are using without your doctor’s approval. 

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came. 

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory. And before having any laboratory tests, if you are already taking this product then tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel. Talk to your healthcare professionals if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted. 

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and non-prescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all the time. It would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list. It’s important to your doctor.

Conclusion

Hope you find all the necessary information about alfuzosin uses, precaution,s and more. . Please tell us your experience with this blog in the comment section and keep visiting for further pieces of information.

Remember, keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children, never share your medications with others and use this medicine only for its intended purpose.

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