Alfuzosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Alfuzosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Alfuzosin is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Alfuzosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide

What is the most important information I should know about alfuzosin?

Do not use alfuzosin if you have severe liver disease, or if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ritonavir (Norvir). Alfuzosin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Stop using alfuzosin and call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening chest pain, or if you feel light-headed.Alfuzosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with alfuzosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking this medication. Do not stop using alfuzosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alfuzosin?

You should not use alfuzosin if you have:

• severe liver disease; or
• if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ritonavir (Norvir).

Before taking alfuzosin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• prostate cancer;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a personal or family history of a heart rhythm disorder called Long QT syndrome;
• angina (chest pain);
• coronary artery disease (such as arteriosclerosis);
• low blood pressure;
• a history of an allergic reaction to alfuzosin;
• if you are taking another alpha-blocker such as terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), doxazosin (Cardura), or guanadrel (Hylorel) for high blood pressure or prostate problems;
• if you are taking an antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox); or
• if you are taking certain medicines to treat HIV or AIDS.

FDA pregnancy category B. Although alfuzosin is not for use in women, this medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. If you are a woman using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether alfuzosin passes into breast milk, or if it could harm a nursing baby. If you are a woman using this medication, do not take alfuzosin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take alfuzosin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Alfuzosin should be taken just after eating food. Take alfuzosin after the same meal each day. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or crushing the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.It is important to use alfuzosin regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Alfuzosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with alfuzosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking this medication. Do not stop using alfuzosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Store alfuzosin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.Overdose symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, a fast but weak pulse, cold or clammy skin, and feeling light-headed or fainting.

Alfuzosin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using alfuzosin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• new or worsening chest pain;
• fainting; or
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness or drowsiness;
• tired feeling;
• headache;
• diarrhea; or
• sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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