|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

What Is Uroxatral?

Uroxatral is a prescription medication used to treat men with an enlarged prostate, a condition also known as benign prostatis hyperplasia. Almost all men experience some degree of prostate enlargement as they get older, but not all have symptoms of the condition. Symptoms include frequent nighttime urination, difficulty urinating, painful urination and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Uroxatral, manufactured by drugmaker Sanofi Aventis, is one of several drug treatment options for men with an enlarged prostate. Surgery and other noninvasive procedures are also sometimes used to treat the condition.

  1. How It Works

    • Uroxatral is classified as an alpha blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and the neck of the bladder, which makes it easier to urinate and eases the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

    How To Take It

    • Uroxatral should be taken once a day with food. It's important to try to take it at the same time each day so you remember to take it. Because it is a controlled-released medication, Uroxatral should be swallowed whole and never chewed or crushed.

    Side Effects

    • Some people who take Uroxatral may develop dizziness or drowsiness, headaches, nasal congestion, or mild stomach pain. These are no cause for concern. However, if you develop any of the following side effects, you should contact your doctor: chest, back or joint pain, decreased sexual function or a prolonged erection, dark urine, jaundice, pale stools, chronic dizziness, severe stomach pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or unusual fatigue.

    Drug Interactions

    • Uroxatral can interfere with how other prescription medications work, including other alpha blockers, protease inhibitors prescribed for HIV patients and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Those taking these medications risk developing serious side effects, such as low blood pressure. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what medications you are taking before you start using Uroxatral.

    Warnings

    • Uroxatral should not be taken by people with moderate to severe liver disease or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, when you first begin to take Uroxatral, you may experience a sudden drop in blood pressure that can cause light-headedness or fainting. Because of this, you should use caution while driving or operating machinery until you understand how Uroxatral will affect you.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles