Uroxatral
Alfuzosin
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Uroxatral
Uroxatral is an alpha blocker group of medicine. It acts by blocking alpha receptors in the lower urinary tract, which cause smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate to relax. This relaxation of smooth muscles improves urine flow and reduces the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy).
Therapeutic Uses of Uroxatral
Uroxatral is used for treatment of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. It may also be used for some other medical conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Uroxatral
Use Uroxatral as directed by your doctor as follows:
- Uroxatral should be taken orally with food. Take with the same meal every day, which will help you remember to take it, as well as give you maximum benefit if you take it at regular interval every day.
- Swallow Uroxatral whole without breaking, crushing, or chewing it before swallowing.
- Ask your doctor or other health care provider if you have any questions about how to use Uroxatral.
If You Miss a Dose of Uroxatral
If you miss a dose of Uroxatral, you should take it as soon as you can remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose of Uroxatral and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at a time to compensate for the missed dose.
How to Store Uroxatral
Uroxatral should be stored at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store it away from heat, moisture, and light in a tightly closed light resistant container. Do not store it in bathroom. Keep Uroxatral out of the reach of children.
More Information About Uroxatral
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, consult with your doctor. Uroxatral should be used by the patient only for whom it is prescribed and not shared with others. Do not use it for other medical conditions without asking your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Uroxatral
Do not use Uroxatral if have any of the medical conditions listed below and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients used in Uroxatral.
- If you are suffering from liver disease (moderate to severe).
- If you are taking an alpha-blocker like prazosin, an azole antifungal like ketoconazole, or an HIV protease inhibitor like ritonavir (anti HIV drug).
Important notes on Uroxatral:
- Use Uroxatral with caution. Uroxatral may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Do not drive or perform other unsafe tasks like operating heavy machinery, which need constant attention and monitoring, until you know how you react to it. Perform those tasks if you do not have the above mentioned side effects of Uroxatral.
- Uroxatral may cause dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, fainting etc. and alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent these effects, you should sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Try to avoid situations in which injury could occur due to fainting.
- Stop using Uroxatral and contact your health care provider urgently if chest pain occurs or worsens.
- Uroxatral should not be used in chilfren as the safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- Uroxatral should not be used during pregnancy, if it is required during pregnancy for any medical condition. It can harm the fetus.
Possible Adverse Effects of Uroxatral
- Common and mild side effects of Uroxatral are dizziness, drowsiness, headache, stuffy nose, nausea etc. If any of these common and mils side effects of Uroxatral bothers you or any of them become persistent, you should consult your doctor.
- Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the serious side effects of Uroxatral. Serious and uncommon side effects of Uroxatral are severe allergic reaction (the manifestations of serious allergic reaction are rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; chest pain; decreased sexual ability; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; joint pain; painful, prolonged erection; severe or persistent dizziness; stomach or abdominal pain; unusual fatigue or weakness etc.