Drug reference

Alfuzosin hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 847, 848

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Benign prostatic hyperplasia ▶BY MOUTH USING IMMEDIATE-RELEASE MEDICINES ▶Adult: 2.5 mg 3 times a day; maximum 10 mg per day ▶Elderly: Initially 2.5 mg twice daily, adjusted according to response; maximum 10 mg per day ▶BY MOUTH USING MODIFIED-RELEASE MEDICINES continued → ▶Adult: 10 mg once daily Acute urinary retention associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia ▶BY MOUTH USING MODIFIED-RELEASE TABLETS ▶Elderly: 10 mg once daily for 2–3 days during catheterisation and for one day after removal; max. 4 days

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Contra Indications

Avoid if history of micturition syncope. avoid if history of postural hypotension

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Cautions

Acute heart failure. cerebrovascular disease. concomitant antihypertensives (reduced dosage and Genito-urinary system specialist supervision may be required). discontinue if angina worsens. elderly. history of QT-interval prolongation. patients undergoing cataract surgery (risk of intra-operative ﬂoppy iris syndrome) CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION ▶Elderly For alpha1-selective adrenoceptor blockers, prescription potentially inappropriate (STOPP criteria): . in those with symptomatic orthostatic hypotension or micturition syncope (risk of precipitating recurrent syncope) . in those with persistent postural hypotension i.e. recurrent drop in systolic blood pressure 20 mmHg (risk of syncope and falls). See also Prescribing in the elderly p. 33.

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: alpha blockers

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Side Effects

▶Common or very common Asthenia. diarrhoea. dizziness. dry mouth. headache. malaise. nausea. postural hypotension. vertigo. vomiting ▶Uncommon Abdominal pain. arrhythmias. chest pain. drowsiness. ﬂushing. oedema. palpitations. rhinitis. skin reactions. syncope. visual impairment ▶Rare or very rare Angina pectoris. angioedema ▶Frequency not known Cerebral ischaemia. ﬂoppy iris syndrome. hepatic disorders. neutropenia. priapism. thrombocytopenia SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION First dose may cause collapse due to hypotensive effect (therefore should be taken on retiring to bed). Patient should be warned to lie down if symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue or sweating develop, and to remain lying down until they abate completely.

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Hepatic Impairment

For immediate-release preparations manufacturer advises caution in mild to moderate hepatic failure; avoid in severe hepatic failure (risk of increased half-life). For modiﬁed-release preparations manufacturer advises avoid in hepatic failure. Dose adjustments For immediate-release preparations manufacturer advises initial dose of 2.5 mg once daily, increased to 2.5 mg twice daily according to response in mild to moderate hepatic failure.

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Renal Impairment

Manufacturers advise avoid use of modiﬁed-release preparations if eGFR less than 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2 as limited experience. Dose adjustments Initial dose 2.5 mg twice daily and adjust according to response.

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: oral solution Modified-release tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 21, 25 ▶Besavar XL (Zentiva) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg Besavar XL 10mg tablets | 30 tablet P £4.62 DT = £12.51 ▶Fuzatal XL (Teva UK Ltd) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg Fuzatal XL 10mg tablets | 30 tablet P £12.76 DT = £12.51 ▶Vasran XL (Ranbaxy (UK) Ltd) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg Vasran XL 10mg tablets | 30 tablet P £11.48 DT = £12.51 ▶Xatral XL (Sanofi) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg Xatral XL 10mg tablets | 30 tablet P £12.51 DT = £12.51 ▶Zochek (Milpharm Ltd) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 10 mg Zochek 10mg modified-release tablets | 30 tablet P £12.51 DT = £12.51 Tablet ▶Alfuzosin hydrochloride (Non-proprietary) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 2.5 mg Alfuzosin 2.5mg tablets | 60 tablet P £21.20 DT = £1.68 ▶Xatral (Sanofi) Alfuzosin hydrochloride 2.5 mg Xatral 2.5mg tablets | 60 tablet P £20.37 DT = £1.68

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Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Patient should be counselled on the ﬁrst dose effect. Driving and skilled tasks May affect performance of skilled tasks e.g. driving.

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Dose text by age group

Adult

2.5 mg 3 times a day; maximum 10 mg per day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Elderly

Initially 2.5 mg twice daily, adjusted according

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

10 mg once daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Elderly

10 mg once daily for 2–3 days during

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Alfuzosin hydrochloride

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 847, 848

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF pages 847, 848

Contra Indications

Avoid if history of micturition syncope. avoid if history of postural hypotension

PDF page 848

Cautions

PDF page 848

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: alpha blockers

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Side Effects

PDF page 848

Hepatic Impairment

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Renal Impairment

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 848

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Patient should be counselled on the ﬁrst dose effect. Driving and skilled tasks May affect performance of skilled tasks e.g. driving.

PDF page 848

Dose text by age group

Adult

2.5 mg 3 times a day; maximum 10 mg per day

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 847

Elderly

Initially 2.5 mg twice daily, adjusted according

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 847

Adult

10 mg once daily

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 847

Elderly

10 mg once daily for 2–3 days during

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 848

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.