Silodosin (By mouth)
sil-oh-DOE-sin
Treats problems caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). This medicine is an alpha-blocker.
Drug classes
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Silodosin is used to treat men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, which is also known as benign enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Benign enlargement of the prostate is a problem that can occur in men as they get older. The prostate gland is located below the bladder. As the prostate gland gets larger, certain muscles in the gland may become tight and get in the way of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. This can cause problems in urinating, such as a need to urinate often, a weak stream when urinating, or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely.
Silodosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate and in the opening to the bladder. This may help increase the flow of urine or decrease the symptoms.
Silodosin should not be given to women.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Capsule
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open the capsule and pour the medicine into a small amount of cool or room temperature applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it right away (within 5 minutes) without chewing. Then drink a glass of cool water to make sure you swallow all of the medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using medicine for high blood pressure, such as diltiazem, doxazosin, terazosin, verapamil, Cardura®, Hytrin®. Tell your doctor if you are also using cyclosporine (such as Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), erythromycin (Ery-Tab®), or medicine to treat impotence (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, Cialis®, Levitra®, Viagra®).
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to silodosin, or if you are also using clarithromycin (Biaxin®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), or ritonavir (Norvir®). Do not use this medicine if you have severe kidney disease or severe liver disease.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you have kidney disease, liver disease, low blood pressure, or a history of prostate cancer.
This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel dizzy, so you do not faint.
Make sure your eye doctor knows you are using this medicine if you have cataract surgery. This medicine may cause intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS), which could complicate the surgery. This may happen even after you stop using this medicine.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Sexual problems
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Rapaflo
There may be other brand names for this medicine.