What is Silodosin?

Silodosin is an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is used to improve urination in men with Benign prostatic hyperplasia. The medication is available in a prescription only. It comes in the shape of an oral capsule. Rapaflo is the brand name for the medication Silodosin oral capsule. Silodosin improves urinary symptoms and relieves bladder outlet obstruction by binding to α1A--adrenoceptors with high affinity and relaxing the lower urinary tract.

What are the Uses of Silodosin?

Men take silodosin to relieve the effects of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). It functions by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder, rather than shrinking the prostate. This helps to alleviate BPH symptoms including trouble starting the flow of urine, a sluggish stream, and the need to urinate often or urgently. It belongs to the class of drugs known as alpha-blockers. Avoid using the medication for treating high blood pressure

What are the Side Effects of Silodosin?

Some of the serious side effects of silodosin are:

What are the Precautions of Silodosin?

Before taking silodosin talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medication-related to it. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which will cause a serious allergic reaction to it or any other medications. Before using the medication talk with your doctor if you have any medical history such as:

Talk to your doctor if you are having any prescription or nonprescription medication, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or planning to take.

How to use Silodosin?

Silodosin comes in the form of a capsule which should be taken orally. The medication should be taken with food once a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label closely, and if there is something you don't understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain it to you. Silodosin should be taken exactly as prescribed.

Dosage for Silodosin

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years): an 8mg tablet should be taken once per day with a meal.

Dosage for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

What if I Miss a Dose of Silodosin?

If you miss a dose, make sure to take it as soon as possible. If it's time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Avoid taking two doses at a time as it can lead to some severe consequences.

What Happens to Your Body When You Overdose?

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Silodosin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Warnings for Some Serious Health Conditions

For people with Kidney Disease

Part of the way the body gets rid of this drug is through your kidneys. The drug can stay in your body if your kidneys aren't working properly. You're more likely to experience side effects as a result of this. If you have serious kidney disease, you should avoid taking this medication. Your doctor can recommend a lower dose if you have moderate kidney disease.

For people with Liver Disease

The medication is processed by the liver. More of the drug can stay in your body if your liver isn't working properly. You're more likely to experience side effects as a result of this. Since it hasn't been studied in people with serious liver disease, this drug isn't approved for them.

For people with Low pressure

This medication can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and even further lowering of your blood pressure. Don't drive, operate equipment, or engage in risky activities until you understand how they can affect you.

Pregnancy

This medicine is used to treat male BPH. It isn't meant to be used on females. This medicine is listed as a pregnancy group B medication. This has two implications:The drug hasn't been shown to affect the fetus in experiments on pregnant animals.There are insufficient trials in pregnant women to prove that the medication is harmful to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

This medicine is used to treat male BPH. It isn't meant to be used on females. It is unknown whether this medication moves into breast milk.

Storage

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach

Silodosin vs Tamsulosin

Citations