Rapaflo

Generic Name: silodosin (Oral route)

sil-oh-DOE-sin

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Rapaflo

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Pharmacologic Class: Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker

Uses For Rapaflo

Silodosin is used to treat 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 with 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 and/or decrease the symptoms.

Silodosin should not be given to women.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Rapaflo

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Silodosin is not indicated for use in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of silodosin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney or liver problems, which may require caution in patients receiving silodosin.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Atazanavir


• Clarithromycin


• Indinavir


• Itraconazole


• Ketoconazole


• Nefazodone


• Nelfinavir


• Ritonavir


• Saquinavir


• Telithromycin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cyclosporine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Sildenafil


• Tadalafil

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease, moderate—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal from the body.

• Kidney disease, severe or


• Liver disease, severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Low blood pressure—Use with caution. May make this condition worse.

Proper Use of Rapaflo

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

It is best to take this medicine with a meal.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  
  • For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
    
    • Adults—4 to 8 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose once a day.
    
    
    • Children—Use is not recommended in children.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Rapaflo

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

Do not use this medicine if you are also taking clarithromycin (Biaxin®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), or ritonavir (Norvir®).

Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision; confusion; severe dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly; sweating; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Before you have eye surgery for a cataract (clouding of the eye), tell the ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you are taking this medicine.

Rapaflo Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Chills


• cold sweats


• confusion


• dizziness


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• clay-colored stools


• dark urine


• fever


• headache


• itching


• loss of appetite


• nausea


• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin


• rash


• skin blisters


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• vomiting of blood


• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Change or problem with discharge of semen

Less common

• Diarrhea


• muscle aches


• sore throat


• stuffy or runny nose

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Rapaflo side effects (in more detail)

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More Rapaflo resources

• Rapaflo Side Effects (in more detail)
• Rapaflo Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Rapaflo Drug Interactions
• Rapaflo Support Group
• 29 Reviews for Rapaflo - Add your own review/rating

• Rapaflo Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Rapaflo Consumer Overview


• Rapaflo Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Rapaflo MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Silodosin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Rapaflo with other medications

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia