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General Medication Fact Sheet for Silodosin
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Generic Name | Silodosin |
| Brand Name Versions | Rapaflo |
| Purpose | Treats symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and urgency. |
| Mechanism of Action | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist; relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral capsules |
| Available Strengths | 4 mg, 8 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Once daily |
| Common Side Effects | Retrograde ejaculation (semen goes into the bladder instead of out the penis), dizziness, lightheadedness, nasal congestion, diarrhea, orthostatic hypotension. |
| Serious Side Effects | Fainting, prolonged painful erection (priapism), allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing). |
| Drug Interactions | Other alpha-blockers (e.g., Terazosin, Doxazosin), PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil), certain antifungal medications (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir). |
| Important Notes | Take with food. May cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when you first start taking it or when the dose is increased. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Take as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. Skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Tamsulosin (Flomax), Alfuzosin (Uroxatral), Terazosin, Doxazosin, Finasteride (Proscar), Dutasteride (Avodart), Cialis (tadalafil) |
Silodosin Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tamsulosin (Flomax) | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist | Similar mechanism of action to silodosin. May have different side effect profiles. |
| Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist | Another alpha-blocker used for BPH treatment. |
| Terazosin | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist | An older alpha-blocker that may require more frequent dose adjustments. |
| Doxazosin | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist | Also used to treat high blood pressure. |
| Finasteride (Proscar) | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor | Reduces prostate size by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). |
| Dutasteride (Avodart) | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor | Similar to Finasteride, but inhibits both type I and type II 5-alpha reductase enzymes. |
| Cialis (tadalafil) | Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor | Also used for erectile dysfunction; can help relax muscles in the prostate and bladder. |
Silodosin Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Retrograde ejaculation | Fainting |
| Dizziness | Prolonged painful erection (priapism) |
| Lightheadedness | Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing) |
| Nasal congestion | Complications during cataract surgery (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome) |
Silodosin Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | 4 mg | 8 mg once daily | Take with food. May be reduced to 4 mg once daily based on tolerance. |
