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. Before taking this medicine 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. 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. 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 avoid while taking 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. 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 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.   Alfuzosin 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   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 is dutasteride? Dutasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce your need for prostate surgery later on. dutasteride is for use in men only. Dutasteride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Warnings Dutasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant. Before taking this medicine You should not use dutasteride if you are allergic to dutasteride or finasteride. Dutasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle dutasteride capsules. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver disease. Using dutasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for cancer while you are using this medicine. Dutasteride is not for use by women, and this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away. How should I take dutasteride? Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. It may take up to 6 months or longer before you receive the full benefit of taking dutasteride. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with this medicine. Keep using the medication as directed. You will need frequent medical tests. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. 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 avoid while taking dutasteride? Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride. Dutasteride side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Common side effects may include: decreased libido (sex drive); decreased amount of semen released during sex; impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or breast tenderness or enlargement. The sexual side effects of dutasteride may continue after you stop taking dutasteride. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about these side effects. 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.   Dutasteride dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 0.5 mg orally once a day Use: Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to reduce the risk of acute urinary retention (AUR) and BPH-related surgery.   What other drugs will affect dutasteride? Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective. Other drugs may affect dutasteride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

What is silodosin? Silodosin is an alpha-blocker that is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Silodosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Warnings Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with silodosin. Before taking this medicine You should not take silodosin if you are allergic to it, or if you have: severe liver disease; or severe kidney disease. Some drugs should not be used with silodosin. Your treatment plan may change if you also use: nefazodone; an antibiotic--clarithromycin, telithromycin; antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; or antiviral medicine for HIV or hepatitis C--boceprevir, cobicistat, dasabuvir, elvitegravir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir saquinavir, telaprevir, or tipranavir. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: low blood pressure; kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); heart disease; prostate cancer; a condition for which you take a diuretic or "water pill"; or if you are on a low-salt diet. Silodosin can affect your pupils. If you need eye surgery, tell the surgeon about your use of silodosin, even if you no longer take it. Silodosin is not for use in women, and the effects of this medicine during pregnancy or in breastfeeding women are unknown. Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. How should I take silodosin? Your doctor may test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer before you take silodosin. 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 once daily with a meal. If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Your blood pressure may get too low during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. 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 avoid while taking silodosin? Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how silodosin will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Silodosin 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. Call your doctor at once if you have severe dizziness, or if you feel like you might pass out. Silodosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it. You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up or get up too fast from a sitting or lying position. Common side effects may include: dizziness, feeling like you might pass out; headache; diarrhea; abnormal ejaculation; or stuffy nose, sinus pain. 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.   Silodosin dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: 8 mg orally once a day with a meal Comments: Patients who have difficulty swallowing may open the capsule and sprinkle the powder on a tablespoonful of applesauce. The applesauce should not be hot, and should be soft enough to be swallowed within 5 minutes without chewing and followed with 8 ounces of cool water.   What other drugs will affect silodosin? Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can increase your risk of very low blood pressure while taking silodosin, especially: medicines similar to silodosin (alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin, or terazosin); heart or blood pressure medication; or sildenafil (Viagra) and other erectile dysfunction medicines. This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect silodosin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

What is tamsulosin? Tamsulosin (Flomax) is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. Tamsulosin is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Tamsulosin is not FDA approved for use in women or children. Warnings You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tamsulosin. Do not take tamsulosin with other similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin). Tamsulosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment. Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to. There are many other drugs that can interact with this medicine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use. Before taking this medicine You should not use tamsulosin if you are allergic to it. Do not take tamsulosin together with similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin). To make sure tamsulosin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease; a history of prostate cancer; low blood pressure; or an allergy to sulfa drugs. Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to. Although this medicine is not for use in women, tamsulosin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. How should I take tamsulosin? Take tamsulosin exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Tamsulosin is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Try to take this medication at the same time each day. Do not crush, chew, or open a capsule. Swallow the capsule whole. Tamsulosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. Call your doctor if you have severe dizziness or feel like you might pass out. Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You will also need to be checked for prostate cancer before and during treatment with tamsulosin. You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position. If you stop taking tamsulosin for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Dosing information Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Initial Dose: 0.4 mg orally once a day Maximum Dose: 0.8 mg orally once a day Comments: -If use is discontinued or interrupted for several days at either the 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg dose, treatment should be initiated again with the 0.4 mg once a day dose. Use: Treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)   What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. If you miss your doses for several days in a row, contact your doctor before restarting the medication. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. What to avoid Tamsulosin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. To prevent dizziness, avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of tamsulosin. Tamsulosin side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to tamsulosin: hives, rash, itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have: a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer; or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. Common tamsulosin side effects may include: low blood pressure; dizziness, drowsiness, weakness; nausea, diarrhea; headache, chest pain; abnormal ejaculation, decreased amount of semen; back pain; blurred vision; tooth problems; fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough; sleep problems (insomnia); or decreased interest in sex. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.   What other drugs will affect tamsulosin? Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with, especially: blood pressure medicine. This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tamsulosin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

What is Uroxatral? Uroxatral (alfuzosin) is an alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-Jk) blocker. Uroxatral helps relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. Uroxatral is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Warnings You should not take Uroxatral 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. Uroxatral 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 have a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out. Uroxatral can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using this medicine before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to. There are many other drugs that can interact with alfuzosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. Before taking this medicine You should not take Uroxatral if you are allergic to alfuzosin, or if you have: moderate to severe liver disease. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Uroxatral. 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). Uroxatral can affect your pupils. If you have cataract surgery, tell your surgeon ahead of time that you use this medicine. Alfuzosin is not for use in women, and the effects of this medicine during pregnancy or in breastfeeding women are unknown. Uroxatral is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. How should I take Uroxatral? Take Uroxatral exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Your doctor may test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer before you take this medicine. Uroxatral is usually taken once daily 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   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 to avoid Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. Uroxatral side effects Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Uroxatral: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. 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 Uroxatral side effects 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.   What other drugs will affect Uroxatral? Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can increase your risk of very low blood pressure while taking Uroxatral, 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 interact with 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.