Drug Reference

Alfuzosin

Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists

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Fact box

Therapeutic class
Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists
Action class
alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
Mechanism
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

UroXatral

Available as

2.5 MG · Oral Tablet10 MG · Extended Release Oral Tablet

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP are indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablet is an alpha adrenergic antagonist, indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. (1) Important Limitations of Use: Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not indicated for treatment of hypertension. ( 1.1 ) Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not indicated for use in the pediatric population. ( 1.1 , 8.4 , 12.3 ) 1.1 Important Limitations of Use Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP are not indicated for use in the pediatric population.

1.1 Important Limitations of Use Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, USP are not indicated for use in the pediatric population.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Alfuzosin is a selective antagonist of post-synaptic alpha 1 -adrenoreceptors, which are located in the prostate, bladder base, bladder neck, prostatic capsule, and prostatic urethra.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage is one 10 mg alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablet once daily. The extent of absorption of alfuzosin is 50% lower under fasting conditions. Therefore, alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets should be taken with food and with the same meal each day. The tablets should not be chewed or crushed. 10 mg once daily with food and with the same meal each day. ( 2 ) Tablets should not be chewed or crushed ( 2 , 12.3 )
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions in clinical studies (incidence ≥2% and at a higher incidence than placebo): dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp. at 1-800- 706-5575 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The incidence of adverse reactions has been ascertained from 3 placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 1,608 men where daily doses of 10 and 15 mg alfuzosin were evaluated. In these 3 trials, 473 men received alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg extended-release tablets. In these trials, 4% of patients taking alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg extended-release tablets withdrew from the trial due to adverse reactions, compared with 3% in the placebo group. Table 1 summarizes adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of patients receiving alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, and at a higher incidence than that of the placebo group. In general, the adverse reactions seen in long-term use were similar in type and frequency to the events described below for the 3-month trials. Table 1 — Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥2% of Alfuzosin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets-Treated Patients and More Frequently than with Placebo in 3-Month Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Adverse Reaction Placebo (n=678) Alfuzosin hydrochloride (n=473) Dizziness 19 (2.8%) 27 (5.7%) Upper respiratory tract infection 4 (0.6%) 14 (3.0%) Headache 12 (1.8%) 14 (3.0%) Fatigue 12 (1.8%) 13 (2.7%) The following adverse reactions, reported by between 1% and 2% of patients receiving alfuzosin hydrochloride and occurring more frequently than with placebo, are listed alphabetically by body system and by decreasing frequency within body system: Body as a whole: pain Gastrointestinal system: abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, nausea Reproductive system: impotence Respiratory system: bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis Signs and Symptoms of Orthostasis in Clinical Trials: The adverse reactions related to orthostasis that occurred in the double-blind phase 3 trials with alfuzosin 10 mg are summarized in Table 2. Approximately 20% to 30% of patients in these trials were taking antihypertensive medication. Table 2— Number (%) of Patients with Symptoms Possibly Associated with Orthostasis in 3-Month Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Symptoms Placebo (n=678) Alfuzosin hydrochloride (n=473) Dizziness 19 (2.8%) 27 (5.7%) Hypotension or postural hypotension 0 2 (0.4%) Syncope 0 1 (0.2%) Testing for blood pressure changes or orthostatic hypotension was conducted in three controlled studies. Decreased systolic blood pressure (≤90 mm Hg, with a decrease ≥20 mm Hg from baseline) was observed in none of the 674 placebo patients and 1 (0.2%) of the 469 alfuzosin hydrochloride patients. Decreased diastolic blood pressure (≤50 mm Hg, with a decrease ≥15 mm Hg from baseline) was observed in 3 (0.4%) of the placebo patients and in 4 (0.9%) of the alfuzosin hydrochloride patients. A positive orthostatic test (decrease in systolic blood pressure of ≥20 mm Hg upon standing from the supine position) was seen in 52 (7.7%) of placebo patients and in 31 (6.6%) of the alfuzosin hydrochloride patients. 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. General disorders edema Cardiac disorders tachycardia, chest pain, angina pectoris in patients with pre-ex

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not indicated for use in women. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in pregnant women . Based on findings from animal studies alfuzosin administered during the period of organogenesis was not teratogenic, embryotoxic or fetotoxic at up to 1200 times the MRHD of 10 mg via AUC in rats and 3 times in rabbits, via body surface area. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancy is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal data Alfuzosin was not teratogenic, embryotoxic or fetotoxic in rats at plasma exposure levels (based on AUC of unbound drug) up to 1200 times (maternal oral dose of 250 mg/kg/day) the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 10 mg. In rabbits administered up to 3 times the MRHD (based on body surface area) (maternal oral dose of 100 mg/kg/day) no embryofetal toxicity or teratogenicity was observed. Gestation was slightly prolonged in rats at exposure levels (based on AUC of unbound drug) approximately 12 times (greater than 5 mg/kg/day oral maternal dose) the MRHD, but difficulties with parturition were not observed.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets is not indicated for use in women.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyConsult your doctor
…8.6 Renal Impairment Systemic exposure was increased by approximately 50% in pharmacokinetic studies of patients with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .…
LiverConsult your doctor
…8.7 Hepatic Impairment The pharmacokinetics of alfuzosin hydrochloride have not been studied in pat…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Postural hypotension/syncope: Care should be taken in patients with symptomatic hypotension or who have had a hypotensive response to other medications or are concomitantly treated with antihypertensive medication or nitrates ( 5.1 ) Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) ( 5.2 , 8.6 , 12.3 ) Use with caution in patients with mild hepatic impairment ( 5.3 , 8.7 , 12.3 ) Should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic antagonists ( 5.4 , 7.2 ) Prostate carcinoma should be ruled out prior to treatment ( 5.5 ) Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery may require modifications to the surgical technique ( 5.6) Discontinue alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets if symptoms of angina pectoris appear or worsen ( 5.8 ) Use with caution in patients with a history of QT prolongation or who are taking medications which prolong the QT interval ( 5.9 , 12.2 ) 5.1 Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension with or without symptoms (e.g., dizziness) may develop within a few hours following administration of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets. As with other alpha-adrenergic antagonists, there is a potential for syncope. Patients should be warned of the possible occurrence of such events and should avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur. There may be an increased risk of hypotension/postural hypotension and syncope when taking alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets concomitantly with anti-hypertensive medication and nitrates. Care should be taken when alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are administered to patients with symptomatic hypotension or patients who have had a hypotensive response to other medications. 5.2 Patients with Renal Impairment Caution should be exercised when alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are administered in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. 5.3 Patients with Hepatic Impairment Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are contraindicated for use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [ see Contraindications ( 4 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. Although the pharmacokinetics of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets have not been studied in patients with mild hepatic impairment, caution should be exercised when alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are administered to such patients [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. 5.4 Drug-Drug Interactions Potent CYP3A4 Inhibitors Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are contraindicated for use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) since alfuzosin blood levels are increased [ see Contraindications ( 4 ), Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. Other alpha-adrenergic antagonists Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are an alpha-adrenergic antagonist and should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic antagonist [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 ) ]. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors PDE5-inhibitors are also vasodilators. Caution is advised for concomitant use of PDE5-inhibitors and alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, as this combination can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.4) ]. 5.5 Prostatic Carcinoma Carcinoma of the prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cause many of the same symptoms. These two diseases frequently coexist. Therefore, patients thought to have BPH should be examined to rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate prior to starting treatment with alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets. 5.6 Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) IFIS has been observ
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are contraindicated for use: in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Childs-Pugh categories B and C), since alfuzosin blood levels are increased in these patients [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir, since alfuzosin blood levels are increased [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. in patients with known hypersensitivity, such as urticaria and angioedema, to alfuzosin hydrochloride or any component of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) ] Moderate or severe hepatic impairment ( 4 , 8.7 , 12.3 ) Co-administration with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) ( 4 , 5.4 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) Known hypersensitivity (e.g., urticaria or angioedema) to alfuzosin or any of the ingredients ( 4 , 6.2 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not indicated for use in the pediatric population. Efficacy of alfuzosin hydrochloride was not demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, efficacy and safety trial conducted in 172 patients ages 2 to 16 years with elevated detrusor leak point pressure (LPP≥40 cm H 2 O) of neurologic origin treated with alfuzosin hydrochloride using pediatric formulations. The trial included a 12-week efficacy phase followed by a 40-week safety extension period. No statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients achieving a detrusor leak point pressure of <40 cmH 2 0 was observed between the alfuzosin and placebo groups. During the placebo-controlled trial, the adverse reactions reported in ≥2% of patients treated with alfuzosin and at a higher incidence than in the placebo group were pyrexia, headache, respiratory tract infection, cough, epistaxis and diarrhea. The adverse reactions reported for the whole 12-month trial period, which included the open-label extension, were similar in type and frequency to the reactions observed during the 12-week period. Alfuzosin hydrochloride was not studied in patients below the age of 2.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors with alpha adrenergic antagonists, including alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension ( 5.4 , 7.4) 7.1 CYP3A4 Inhibitors Alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are contraindicated for use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or ritonavir, since alfuzosin blood levels are increased [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. 7.2 Alpha Adrenergic Antagonists The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets and other alpha-adrenergic antagonists have not been determined. However, interactions may be expected, and alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic antagonists [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ]. 7.3 Antihypertensive Medication and Nitrates There may be an increased risk of hypotension/postural hypotension and syncope when taking alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets concomitantly with anti-hypertensive medication and nitrates [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1) ]. 7.4 PDE5 Inhibitors Caution is advised when alpha adrenergic antagonists, including alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, are co-administered with PDE5 inhibitors. Alpha adrenergic antagonists and PDE5 inhibitors are both vasodilators that can lower blood pressure. Concomitant use of these two drug classes can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ].

7.4 PDE5 Inhibitors Caution is advised when alpha adrenergic antagonists, including alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, are co-administered with PDE5 inhibitors. Alpha adrenergic antagonists and PDE5 inhibitors are both vasodilators that can lower blood pressure. Concomitant use of these two drug classes can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4) ].
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE Should overdose of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets lead to hypotension, support of the cardiovascular system is of first importance. Restoration of blood pressure and normalization of heart rate may be accomplished by keeping the patient in the supine position. If this measure is inadequate, then the administration of intravenous fluids should be considered. If necessary, vasopressors should then be used, and the renal function should be monitored and supported as needed. Alfuzosin is 82% to 90% protein bound; therefore, dialysis may not be of benefit.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

3 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.