UROXATRAL (ALFUZOSIN HCL)

Uroxatral Description

Uroxatral is a prescription drug your doctor may recommend to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. This condition occurs as a result of an enlarged prostate that can cause an urgent or frequent need to urinate, problems with starting urination, straining while urinating, the inability to empty your bladder completely, or feeling that you still have to urinate.

As men reach the age of sixty years and older over half of them will have an enlarged prostate gland. Not all of these men will experience the symptoms; but for those that do, it can be annoying having to get up in the night to urinate or take time out to find a bathroom while socializing, during a meeting, or while travelling.

How Uroxatral Relaxes Smooth Muscles

Uroxatral works is an alpha blocker that stops the function of alpha-adrenergic receptors in your body that are involved with muscle contractions and vasodilation in order to relax smooth muscle in your prostate and bladder neck. This action allows for a better urine flow so you are not straining to urinate and are able to empty your bladder completely. Uroxatral or generic Alfuzosin HCl is an extended release medication that is taken once a day with your meal. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Uroxatral

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland which is located between the bladder and the penis. It surrounds the canal that carries urine out of the body called the urethra. One of the main functions of the prostate is to squeeze fluid into the urethra as sperm move through during ejaculation.

As men age, the prostate gland grows first during early puberty and again around the mid twenties. The second growth spurt usually develops later as BPH which may or may not cause any symptoms. Uroxatral does not shrink your prostate but can help to improve your ability to urinate as your bladder fills. Prostate surgery may be required if you are unable to urinate at all because of the enlarged prostate gland pressing against the urethra.

Before Uroxatral is Prescribed

Until you know how your body will deal with Uroxatral, you should not drive, operate machinery, or perform any task that could be unsafe. If you are scheduled for any cataract procedures you should inform your surgeon that you are taking Uroxatral as it can affect your pupils. Tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and list any OTC or Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements that may interact with taking Uroxatral.

Uroxatral Precautions and Recommendations

Take Uroxatral at the same time each day after a meal as it may not be as effective taken on an empty stomach. Do not crush or chew this extended release drug as too much of the ingredients may be released at once and this can increase the risk of side effects. Be careful when standing suddenly as Uroxatral may decrease your blood pressure and you could faint.

Possible Side Effects of Uroxatral

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Cold symptoms