What is silodosin?
Silodosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Silodosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Silodosin is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Silodosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about silodosin?
You should not take silodosin if you have severe kidney or liver disease, or if you are also using ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ritonavir (Norvir).
Do not take silodosin with other similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).
Silodosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Silodosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using silodosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
There are many other drugs that can interact with silodosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking silodosin?
You should not take silodosin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
severe kidney disease;
severe liver disease; or
if you are also using ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ritonavir (Norvir).
Do not take silodosin with other similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).
If you have liver or kidney disease or a history of prostate cancer, you may need a silodosin dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
Silodosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using silodosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Although this medication is not for use in women, silodosin is not expected to harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Silodosin is not for use in children.