alfuzosin vs sildenafil
Side-by-side comparison of alfuzosin and sildenafil Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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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.
Sildenafil is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It helps increase blood flow to the penis to get and keep an erection.
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.
Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, in men. ED is when you cannot get or keep an erection firm enough for sex. Sildenafil helps by increasing blood flow to the penis when you are sexually stimulated.
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.
Sildenafil belongs to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. It works by relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This helps you get and keep an erection.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- • Headache
- • Flushing (redness of the skin)
- • Upset stomach
- • Abnormal vision (blurred vision, changes in color vision)
- • Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- The medicine is not working 112
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 96
- Difficulty breathing 89
- The medicine is interacting with another medicine 87
- Tiredness 87
- Shortness of breath 7,729
- Headache 5,655
- Diarrhea 4,447
- Nausea 3,984
- Death 3,872
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.
You should not take sildenafil if you are taking nitrates for chest pain, as this can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get medical help right away. Stop taking sildenafil and seek medical attention if you have a sudden loss of vision or hearing.
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.
Sildenafil is not for use in women. It is not known if sildenafil can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This alfuzosin vs sildenafil Comparison
alfuzosin is classified in the Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH) drug class, while sildenafil sits within the PDE5 Inhibitor class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alfuzosin has 471 submissions while sildenafil has 25,687. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. 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 sildenafil — 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.