Two medicines, side by side
Silodosin vs alfuzosin
Silodosin and alfuzosin are both labeled for enlarged prostate (bph). Drugs@FDA records approvals of silodosin since 2008 and of alfuzosin since 2003. Pharmacies paid $0.319 per silodosin 8 mg capsule and $0.105 per alfuzosin HCl ER 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Silodosin, “Silodosin is a selective antagonist of post-synaptic alpha-1 adrenoreceptors, which are located in the human prostate, bladder base, bladder neck, prostatic capsule, and prostatic urethra.”; Alfuzosin, “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.”
Check it at the source: the silodosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 15, 2026); the alfuzosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 5, 2024).
Highlights of the silodosin record
Silodosin (Rapaflo) · label of April 15, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsSilodosin, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [see Clinical Studies (14 ) ]. Silodosin capsules are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Silodosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 8, 2008
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.319 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the alfuzosin record
Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) · label of December 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsUROXATRAL is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. UROXATRAL is an alpha adrenergic antagonist, indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. ( 1 ) Important Limitations of Use: UROXATRAL is not indicated for treatment of hypertension. ( 1.1 ) UROXATRAL is not indicated for use in the pediatric population. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 12, 2003
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.105 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Silodosin label of April 15, 2026, Alfuzosin label of December 5, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do silodosin and alfuzosin differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Silodosin, “Silodosin is a selective antagonist of post-synaptic alpha-1 adrenoreceptors, which are located in the human prostate, bladder base, bladder neck, prostatic capsule, and prostatic urethra.”; Alfuzosin, “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.”
Both are in FDA's class alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Silodosin, “KMD-3213G, which has been shown in vitro to be active, has an extended half-life (approximately 24 hours) and reaches …”; Alfuzosin, “Following oral administration of UROXATRAL 10 mg tablets, the apparent elimination half-life is 10 hours.”
Generics: silodosin since 2017; alfuzosin since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Silodosin | Alfuzosin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Enlarged prostate (BPH) | Enlarged prostate (BPH) |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Silodosin is a selective antagonist of post-synaptic alpha-1 adrenoreceptors, which are located in the human prostate, bladder base, bladder neck, prostatic capsule, and prostatic urethra. | 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. |
| Half-life (label) | KMD-3213G, which has been shown in vitro to be active, has an extended half-life (approximately 24 hours) and reaches plasma exposure (AUC) approximately four times greater than that of silodosin. | Following oral administration of UROXATRAL 10 mg tablets, the apparent elimination half-life is 10 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 8, 2008 | June 12, 2003 |
| First generic approved | March 31, 2017 | July 18, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.319 per capsule (Silodosin 8 mg capsule) | $0.105 per tablet (Alfuzosin HCl ER 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -29% | -0.1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 3,956 | 5,746 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to silodosin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions