An alpha-blocker
Alfuzosin
An alpha-blocker that relaxes the prostate and bladder neck to ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
What is Alfuzosin?
Alfuzosin is an alpha-blocker used to relieve the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). It relaxes muscle in the prostate and bladder neck so urine flows more easily, easing a weak stream, straining and frequent trips to the toilet. The first dose can cause dizziness, so it is usually taken after food and at bedtime.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Alfuzosin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Alfuzosin is a medicine for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — an enlarged prostate that makes passing urine difficult. It belongs to the alpha-blockers and works by relaxing muscle rather than shrinking the prostate, so it can ease symptoms relatively quickly. It is taken as a tablet, often a modified-release form that is swallowed whole.
How it works
The prostate and the neck of the bladder contain muscle controlled by alpha receptors. When this muscle is tense it squeezes the urine channel and makes passing urine harder. Alfuzosin blocks these alpha receptors, relaxing the muscle so the channel opens up and urine flows more freely. Because it relaxes muscle rather than shrinking the prostate, the benefit can be felt within days.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Sanofi.
Developed by Sanofi and used for many years to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
What it treats
Conditions Alfuzosin is used for
Practical use
How to take Alfuzosin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it after food, often at bedtime, to reduce the chance of dizziness.
- If it is a modified-release tablet, swallow it whole — do not crush, break or chew it.
- Be careful when standing up quickly, especially after the first dose, as it can cause dizziness or light-headedness.
- Tell your eye surgeon before any cataract surgery that you take alfuzosin, as it can cause 'floppy iris syndrome'.
- If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one as usual — do not double up.
- Keep taking it regularly; stopping it usually allows the urinary symptoms to return.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Alfuzosin
Advantages
- Eases urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate relatively quickly.
- Improves urine flow and reduces straining and frequent trips to the toilet.
- Simple once-daily tablet for most people.
- Does not require the prostate to shrink to start working.
Disadvantages
- Can cause dizziness and a drop in blood pressure, particularly with the first dose.
- Does not shrink the prostate or slow its growth.
- Can complicate cataract surgery (floppy iris syndrome).
- May cause problems with ejaculation in some men.
Practical use
Good to know
Alfuzosin is usually taken after food, often at bedtime, because it can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness — especially with the first dose. If it is a modified-release (MR) tablet, swallow it whole and do not crush or chew it. Importantly, if you are due to have cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon you take alfuzosin, as alpha-blockers can cause a 'floppy iris' that affects the operation.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to alfuzosin.
- Men with a history of fainting or marked drops in blood pressure on standing (postural hypotension).
- Use with caution alongside other blood-pressure-lowering medicines and in significant heart or liver problems.
Monitoring
- Review of urinary symptoms and how well they are controlled.
- Blood pressure, particularly after starting or changing the dose.
- A reminder to flag alfuzosin to any eye surgeon before cataract surgery.
Side effects
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up, and particularly with the first dose.
- Headache and tiredness.
- A stuffy nose.
- Changes to ejaculation, and rarely a prolonged painful erection (priapism) — seek urgent help if this happens.
Key interactions
- Other blood-pressure-lowering medicines add to the risk of dizziness and fainting.
- Some medicines that block the same enzymes the body uses to clear alfuzosin can raise its levels.
- Tell your team about all your medicines so the combination can be reviewed.
Available as: Tablets, including modified-release tablets that are swallowed whole.
Answers
Alfuzosin: frequently asked questions
Why do I feel dizzy after my first dose?
Alfuzosin relaxes muscle and can lower your blood pressure, which may cause dizziness — most likely with the first dose. Taking it after food at bedtime and standing up slowly helps reduce this.
Does alfuzosin shrink the prostate?
No. It relaxes muscle in the prostate and bladder neck so urine flows more easily, but it does not shrink the prostate or slow its growth. Other medicines are used if shrinking the prostate is the goal.
Why must I tell my eye surgeon I take it?
Alpha-blockers like alfuzosin can cause 'floppy iris syndrome', which can make cataract surgery more difficult. Telling your surgeon beforehand lets them plan the operation safely.
Should I swallow the tablet whole?
If you have a modified-release tablet, yes — swallow it whole and do not crush or chew it, as this releases the medicine too quickly. Check the form you have been given with your pharmacist.
How soon will it help my symptoms?
Because it relaxes muscle rather than shrinking the prostate, many men notice easier, freer urination within a few days. Keep taking it regularly, as stopping usually allows symptoms to return.
The wider class
About Alpha-blockers
Alfuzosin belongs to the alpha-blockers class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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