Alfuzosin


Alfuzosin, sold under the brand name Uroxatral among others, is a medication of the α1 blocker class. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
As an antagonist of the α1 adrenergic receptor, it works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Alfuzosin was patented in 1978 and approved for medical use in 1988. It was approved in the US for BPH in 2003. In 2017, it was the 266th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than one million prescriptions.

Side effects

The most common side effects are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue, and abdominal disturbances. Side effects include stomach pain, heartburn, and congested nose. Adverse effects of alfuzosin are similar to that of tamsulosin with the exception of retrograde ejaculation.

Contraindications

Alfuzosin should be used with caution in patients with severe chronic kidney disease, and should not be prescribed to patients with a known history of QT prolongation or those who are taking medications known to prolong the QT interval.

Chemistry

Alfuzosin contains a stereocenter and is therefore chiral. There are two enantiomeric forms, -alfuzosin and -alfuzosin. The drug is used as a racemate, -alfuzosin, a 1: 1 mixture of the - and -forms.
It is provided as the hydrochloride salt.

Brand names

It is marketed under the brand name Uroxatral and elsewhere under the tradenames Xat, Xatral, Prostetrol and Alfural.