alfuzosin hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Alpha-1 adrenoceptor blocker.
Main use
Urinary symptoms associated with benign prostate enlargement.
Tablet handling
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole; do not crush, chew or break them.
Important practical point
Take after a meal, following the product label and prescriber's instructions.
Early-treatment caution
Dizziness or a blood-pressure fall can occur, especially when standing up.
What is alfuzosin hydrochloride used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Functional urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as weak flow or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Use around catheterisation for acute urinary retention related to benign prostate enlargement in eligible older men; no established benefit is reported for this indication below age 65.
How does alfuzosin hydrochloride work?
Alfuzosin blocks postsynaptic alpha-1 receptors, particularly those influencing smooth muscle in the prostate, prostatic urethra and bladder base. This reduces muscle tone and bladder-outlet resistance, making urination easier without directly reducing prostate size.
alfuzosin hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg, 10 mg
How to take alfuzosin hydrochloride
Follow the dispensing label and prescriber's instructions.
Take the prolonged-release tablet after a meal.
Swallow it whole with water.
Do not crush, chew, grind or break it; damaging the tablet can release alfuzosin too quickly.
If dizziness or weakness occurs, avoid alcohol, driving and machinery until these effects have passed.
alfuzosin hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or faintness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness or tiredness
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or tongue swelling and breathing or swallowing difficulty
- New, returning or worsening angina-type chest pain
- Collapse or severe symptomatic low blood pressure
- A painful, persistent erection
- Yellow skin or eyes, which may indicate liver injury
- Unusual bruising, bleeding or recurrent infections, which can indicate a blood-cell disorder
alfuzosin hydrochloride in pregnancy
The selected products are licensed for prostate-related conditions, so their product information treats pregnancy as not applicable. If alfuzosin is being considered outside these licensed uses during pregnancy, specialist assessment is needed because the selected documents provide no pregnancy safety recommendation.
alfuzosin hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The selected product information provides no breastfeeding recommendation because of the prostate-related indication. Anyone prescribed alfuzosin while breastfeeding should obtain an individual assessment from the prescriber or a specialist medicines-in-breastfeeding service, particularly for a premature or unwell infant.
alfuzosin hydrochloride interactions
A medication review is important before alfuzosin is started or when another treatment is added.
Other alpha-1 blockers
The combination is contraindicated because effects such as low blood pressure may be increased.
Ritonavir-containing treatments, including nirmatrelvir with ritonavir
Selected products contraindicate these combinations because alfuzosin exposure can become dangerously high.
Common questions about alfuzosin hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is alfuzosin hydrochloride used for?
It is mainly used to ease urinary symptoms caused by benign enlargement of the prostate. Selected products also have a defined role around catheter treatment for acute urinary retention in eligible older men.
Does alfuzosin hydrochloride shrink the prostate?
No. It relaxes smooth muscle around the prostate and bladder outlet, reducing resistance to urine flow.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.