uroxatral

Important safety information

Postural hypotension/syncope: Care should be taken in patients with symptomatic hypotension or who have had a hypotensive response to other medications or are concomitantly treated with antihypertensive medication or nitrates ( 5.1 ) Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) ( 5.2 , 8.6 , 12.3 ) Use with caution in patients with mild hepatic impairment ( 5.3 , 8.7 , 12.3 ) Should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic antagonists ( 5.4 , 7.2 ) Prostate carcinoma should be ruled out prior to treatment ( 5.5 ) Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery may require modifications to the surgical technique ( 5.6 ) Discontinue UROXATRAL if symptoms of angina pectoris appear or worsen ( 5.8 ) Use with caution in patients with a history of QT prolongation or who are taking medications which prolong the QT interval ( 5.9 , 12.2 ) 5.1 Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension with or without symptoms (e.g., dizziness) may develop within a few hours following administration of UROXATRAL. As with other alpha adrenergic antagonists, there is a potential for syncope. Patients should be warned of the possible occurrence of such events and should avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur. There may be an increased risk of hypotension/postural hypotension and syncope when taking UROXATRAL concomitantly with anti-hypertensive medication and nitrates. Care should be taken when UROXATRAL is administered to patients with symptomatic hypotension or patients who have had a hypotensive response to other medications. 5.2 Patients with Renal Impairment Caution should be exercised when UROXATRAL is administered in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.3 Patients with Hepatic Impairment UROXATRAL is contraindicated for use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Contraindications (4) , Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Although the pharmacokinetics of UROXATRAL have not been studied in patients with mild hepatic impairment, caution should be exercised when UROXATRAL is administered to such patients [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.4 Drug-Drug Interactions Potent CYP3A4 Inhibitors : UROXATRAL is contraindicated for use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) since alfuzosin blood levels are increased [see Contraindications (4) , Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Other alpha adrenergic antagonists: UROXATRAL is an alpha adrenergic antagonist and should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic antagonist [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ]. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors: PDE5-inhibitors are also vasodilators. Caution is advised for concomitant use of PDE5-inhibitors and UROXATRAL, as this combination can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension [see Drug Interactions (7.4) ]. 5.5 Prostatic Carcinoma Carcinoma of the prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cause many of the same symptoms. These two diseases frequently coexist. Therefore, patients thought to have BPH should be examined to rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate prior to starting treatment with UROXATRAL. 5.6 Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) IFIS has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha adrenergic antagonists. This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient's ophthalmologist should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances. There does not appear to be a benefit of stopping alpha adrenergic antagonist therapy prior to cataract surgery. 5.7 Priapism Rarely (probably less than 1 in 50,000), alfuzosin, like other alpha adrenergic antagonists, has been associated with priapism (persistent painful penile erection unrelated to sexual activity). Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not properly treated, patients should be advised about the seriousness of the condition [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) and Patient Counseling Information [17.3] ) . 5.8 Coronary Insufficiency If symptoms of angina pectoris should appear or worsen, UROXATRAL should be discontinued. 5.9 Patients with Congenital or Acquired QT Prolongation Use with caution in patients with acquired or congenital QT prolongation or who are taking medications that prolong the QT interval [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ].