Uroxatral Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Uroxatral Tablet (alfuzosin) is an alpha blocker used by men to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). It works by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to make urination easier. It is taken once daily and is not intended for use in women or anyone under 18 years old.

What is Uroxatral Tablet

Uroxatral is an alpha-adrenergic blocker that helps relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. It is used by men to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Uroxatral Tablet uses

• Improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Relieve symptoms such as difficulty starting the flow of urine, weak stream, and needing to urinate often or urgently, including at night

Benefits of Uroxatral Tablet

• Helps relieve urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• Improves urine flow and reduces a weak urinary stream.
• Helps reduce difficulty starting urination (hesitancy).
• Can reduce frequent or urgent urination, including nighttime urination.
• Helps improve the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

How Uroxatral Tablet works

Uroxatral works by blocking alpha-1 receptors in the prostate and bladder neck, which relaxes the smooth muscle there. This eases the tension around the urethra, so urine can flow more easily and BPH symptoms are reduced. It does not shrink the prostate.

Uroxatral Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed and follow the directions on your prescription label. It is usually taken once daily, just after a meal, at the same time each day. Do not take on an empty stomach, as this may make it not work as well. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or break it. Take it after the same meal each day to help you remember and to keep a consistent routine. Your doctor may tell you to take your first dose at bedtime with food to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting. Avoid standing up too quickly from sitting or lying down, especially when you first start taking it. This medicine is not for use in women or in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Uroxatral Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Nasal congestion
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Erectile dysfunction

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• 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 skin or eyes)
• Painful erection or one that lasts 4 hours or longer (priapism)
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is not for use in women, and its effects during pregnancy are unknown. This medicine is not for use in women, and its effects in breastfeeding women are unknown.
•  Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking this medicine. You should not take this medicine if you have moderate to severe liver disease. 
• Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects. This medicine lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting.
•  Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how it affects you.
• Do not take this medicine if you have moderate to severe liver disease.
• This medicine can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you use this medicine, and do not stop it before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
• Many drugs can interact with this medicine, so tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause your blood pressure to drop too low. Call your doctor if you have vomiting or diarrhea.

Storage

• Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F) at controlled room temperature.
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from excessive heat and humidity.
• Protect tablets from light and moisture.
• Keep tablets in the original, tightly closed container until use.
• Avoid storing in bathrooms or other hot and humid areas.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you feel light-headed like you might pass out, have new or worsening chest pain, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center.

Alternatives

• Finasteride
• Doxazosin
• Silodosin (Rapaflo)
• Tamsulosin (Flomax)