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alfuzosin vs ketoconazole

Side-by-side comparison of alfuzosin and ketoconazole. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

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) ].

Recommendation: Do not take these two medicines together as the combination is unsafe.

Drug Class
alfuzosin Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH)
ketoconazole Azole Antifungal
Type
alfuzosin Prescription
ketoconazole Over-the-Counter
Summary
alfuzosin

Alfuzosin is a medicine that helps men with enlarged prostate glands. It relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate.

ketoconazole

Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal medicine. It treats a fungal infection on your skin.

What It Treats
alfuzosin

This medicine treats the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. BPH can cause problems with urination, such as difficulty starting or stopping, frequent urination, and feeling like you can't empty your bladder. Alfuzosin helps to improve these symptoms.

ketoconazole

This shampoo treats tinea versicolor, a fungal infection. This infection can cause patches on your skin that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These patches may appear on your trunk, neck, arms, and upper thighs.

How It Works
alfuzosin

Alfuzosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. This relaxation allows urine to flow more freely, relieving the symptoms of BPH.

ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus. This helps to clear up the infection.

Common Side Effects
alfuzosin
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
ketoconazole

No common side effects listed.

FAERS Reports
alfuzosin
  • Difficulty breathing 89
  • The medicine is interacting with another medicine 87
  • Tiredness 87
  • Sudden damage to the kidneys 79
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 74
ketoconazole
  • Feeling tired 929
  • Itching 902
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 834
  • Skin breakout 802
  • Loose stool 760
Serious Warnings
alfuzosin

Alfuzosin can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly when you stand up, leading to dizziness or fainting. Be careful when standing up quickly, especially when you first start taking this medicine. If you have chest pain (angina), tell your doctor immediately. This medicine may also affect your heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems.

ketoconazole

You should not use this shampoo if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any of the other ingredients.

Pregnancy
alfuzosin

This medicine is only for men and is not intended for use in women. It is not known if alfuzosin can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.

ketoconazole

It is not known if ketoconazole shampoo can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This alfuzosin vs ketoconazole Comparison

alfuzosin is classified in the Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH) drug class, while ketoconazole sits within the Azole Antifungal class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alfuzosin has 416 submissions while ketoconazole has 4,227. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to ketoconazole blocks the enzyme that breaks down alfuzosin, which causes the amount of alfuzosin in your blood to rise to unsafe levels.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between alfuzosin and ketoconazole - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.