alfuzosin
Brand names: Uroxatral
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.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.11/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Upper respiratory tract infection, Headache
Key warnings
Alfuzosin can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly when you stand up, leading to dizziness or fainting.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take one 10 mg tablet of alfuzosin once a day. Always take it with food and with the same meal each day. Do not chew or crush the tablet; swallow it whole. Following these instructions carefully will help the medicine work properly.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store alfuzosin tablets at room temperature, away from light and moisture, and keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 837 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,222 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
2,222
Death-Related Reports
212
Hospitalization Reports
1,009
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 112 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 96 |
| 3 | DYSPNOEA | 89 |
| 4 | DRUG INTERACTION | 87 |
| 5 | FATIGUE | 87 |
| 6 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 79 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 74 |
| 8 | HYPOTENSION | 74 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 71 |
| 10 | ASTHENIA | 68 |
| 11 | FALL | 62 |
| 12 | CONFUSIONAL STATE | 54 |
| 13 | DEATH | 53 |
| 14 | MALAISE | 48 |
| 15 | NAUSEA | 48 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
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) ].
Mechanism: Ketoconazole blocks the enzyme that breaks down alfuzosin, which causes the amount of alfuzosin in your blood to rise to unsafe levels.
What to do: Do not take these two medicines together as the combination is unsafe.
Other Agents Alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist: alfuzosin ↑ alfuzosin Co-administration is contraindicated due to potential for serious and/or life-threatening reactions such as hypotension.
Mechanism: Darunavir prevents your body from getting rid of alfuzosin, which can cause the drug to reach high levels and lead to dangerously low blood pressure.
What to do: You should not take these two medications together because the combination is considered unsafe.
Table 2: Established and Other Potentially Significant Drug Interactions Drug Class Drugs within Class Effect on Concentration Clinical Comments Alpha 1- adrenoreceptor antagonist alfuzosin ↑ alfuzosin Co-administration contraindicated due to potential hypotension [see Contraindications (4) ] .
Mechanism: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir causes alfuzosin to build up in your body by slowing its removal. This can lead to a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.
What to do: You must not take these two drugs at the same time. Ask your doctor for a different treatment option.
Table 1:Drug Interactions with Itraconazole that Affect Concomitant Drug Concentrations Examples of Concomitant Drugs Within Class Prevention or Management Drug Interactions with Itraconazole that Increase Concomitant Drug Concentrations and May Increase Risk of Adverse Reactions Associated with the Concomitant Drug Alpha Blockers Alfuzosin Silodosin Tamsulosin Not recommended during and 2 weeks after itraconazole treatment.
Mechanism: Itraconazole slows down the breakdown of alfuzosin in your body, which can lead to an unsafe buildup of the medication. This increases your risk of having a bad reaction to the alfuzosin.
What to do: Do not take these medicines together or for two weeks after your itraconazole treatment has ended.
Clinical pharmacology studies have been conducted with coadministration of tadalafil with doxazosin, tamsulosin or alfuzosin.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines can relax your blood vessels, which may lead to a further drop in blood pressure when taken together.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure to make sure it does not get too low.
Common Questions
Can I take alfuzosin if I have liver problems?
Can I take alfuzosin with other medications?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking alfuzosin?
Can alfuzosin cure my enlarged prostate?
How long does it take for alfuzosin to start working?
Can I drink alcohol while taking alfuzosin?
What if I am having cataract surgery?
Can I take alfuzosin if I have kidney problems?
Is alfuzosin safe for children?
What does alfuzosin look like?
What are the common side effects of alfuzosin?
Does alfuzosin interact with other medications?
What drug class is alfuzosin?
Is alfuzosin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH)
Other drugs grouped near alfuzosin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
bethanechol
Urecholine
Bethanechol helps you to urinate if you have trouble emptying your bladder.
Compare with alfuzosin →
darifenacin
Enablex
Darifenacin (Enablex) is a medicine that helps control an overactive bladder.
Compare with alfuzosin →
dutasteride
Avodart
Dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules contain two medicines to treat enlarged prostate in men.
Compare with alfuzosin →
dutasteride/tamsulosin
Jalyn
This medicine combines two drugs to treat enlarged prostate in men.
Compare with alfuzosin →
fesoterodine
Toviaz
Fesoterodine is a medicine that helps control an overactive bladder.
Compare with alfuzosin →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for alfuzosin
The FDA label for alfuzosin (sold under brand names such as Uroxatral) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH) class. This medicine treats the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Upper respiratory tract infection, Headache.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 837 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: April 2, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages