Alfuzosin Other names: Alfuzosin hydrochloride

Chemical formula: C₁₉H₂₇N₅O₄  Molecular mass: 389.449 g/mol  PubChem compound: 2092

Interactions

Alfuzosin interacts in the following cases:

Cardiac failure

As with all alpha1-receptor blockers, alfuzosin should be used with caution in patients with acute cardiac failure.

Hepatic insufficiency

Hepatic insufficiency

Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors

Blood levels of alfuzosin are increased by co-administration of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir.

Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30ml/min)

As there are no clinical safety data available in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30ml/min), alfuzosin 10 mg prolonged released tablets should not be administered to this patient group.

Antihypertensive drugs, nitrates

As with all alpha-1-blockers in some subjects, in particular patients receiving antihypertensive medications or nitrates, postural hypotension with or without symptoms (dizziness, fatigue, sweating) may develop within a few hours following administration. In such cases, the patient should lie down until the symptoms have completely disappeared.

These effects are transient, occur at the beginning of treatment and do not usually prevent the continuation of treatment. Pronounced drop in blood pressure has been reported in post-marketing surveillance in patient with pre-existing risk factors (such as underlying cardiac diseases and/or concomitant treatment with anti-hypertensive medication, see section 4.8). The risk of developing hypotension and related adverse reactions may be greater in elderly patients. The patient should be warned of the possible occurrence of such events.

General anaesthetics

The administration of general anaesthetics to patients receiving alfuzosin could cause profound hypotension. It is recommended that the tablets be withdrawn 24 hours before surgery.

Ketoconazole

Repeated 200 mg daily dosing of ketoconazole, for seven days resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in Cmax and a 2.5-fold increase in exposure of alfuzosin 10 mg when administered as a single dose under fed conditions (high fat meal). Other parameters such as tmax and t1/2 were not modified. Cmax and AUC of alfuzosin 10 mg, when administered as a single dose under fed conditions, increased 2.3- fold and 3.0- fold, respectively following 8-day repeated 400 mg ketoconazole daily dosing.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil can enhance the hypotensive effect of alfuzosin.

Telithromycin

Telithromycin may decrease alfuzosin clearance.

Vardenafil

Vardenafil may cause an additional hypotensive effect on the activity of alfuzosin.

QTc prolongation, drugs which increase the QTc interval

Patients with congenital QTc prolongation, with a known history of acquired QTc prolongation or who are taking drugs known to increase the QTc interval should be evaluated before and during the administration of alfuzosin.

Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS)

The ‘Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome’ (IFIS, a variant of small pupil syndrome) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha-1-blockers. Although the risk of this event with alfuzosin appears very low, ophthalmic surgeons should be informed in advance of cataract surgery of current or past use of alpha-1-blockers, as IFIS may lead to increased procedural complications. The ophthalmologists should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique.

Priapism

Prolonged erections and priapism have been reported with alpha-1 blockers including alfuzosin in post marketing experience. If priapism is not treated immediately, it could result in penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency, therefore the patient should seek immediate medical assistance.

Pregnancy

Due to the type of indication this section is not applicable.

Nursing mothers

Due to the type of indication this section is not applicable.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

There are no data available on the effect on driving vehicles. Adverse reactions such as vertigo, dizziness and asthenia may occur essentially at the beginning of treatment. This has to be taken into account when driving vehicles and operating machinery.

Adverse reactions


Classification of expected frequencies: Very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Nervous system disorders

Common: faintness/dizziness, headache

Uncommon: syncope, vertigo, malaise, drowsiness

Eye disorders

Uncommon: vision abnormal

Not known: intraoperative floppy iris syndrome

Cardiac disorders

Uncommon: tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension (postural),

Very rare: new onset, aggravation or recurrence of angina pectoris in patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease

Not known: atrial fibrillation

Vascular disorders

Uncommon: hypotension (postural), flushing

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Not known: neutropenia, thrombocytopenia

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Uncommon: rhinitis

Gastro-intestinal disorders

Common: nausea, abdominal pain

Uncommon: diarrhoea, dry mouth, vomiting

Not known: vomiting

Hepatobiliary disorders

Frequency unknown: hepatocellular injury, cholestatic liver disease.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon: rash, pruritus

Very rare: urticaria, angioedema

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Frequency unknown: priapism

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common: asthenia

Uncommon: flushes, oedema, chest pain

Cross-check medications

Review your medication to ensure that there are no potentially harmful drug interactions or contraindications.

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