Velfu D Tablet 7’S

Alfuzosin

Alfuzosin 10mg: Managing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Restoring Urinary Comfort

If you are experiencing frequent nocturnal awakenings or a weak urinary stream, you may be suffering from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) an enlarged prostate. This is a common condition in older men but should not significantly impact your quality of life. Alfuzosin is a targeted medication designed to relax the tension in the prostate and bladder facilitating easier urination.

How Alfuzosin Works: The “Alpha-Blocker” Explained

Alfuzosin is a class of drugs known as Alpha-1 blockers. It does not directly shrink the prostate but acts on the muscles.

• The Relaxation Effect: It targets the smooth muscles in the prostate gland and the bladder neck.
• The Result: By relaxing these specific muscles, the urethra is straightened allowing for a stronger flow, less straining and a more complete bladder emptying.

Key Information

Best Practices for Use of Alfuzosin

To maximise the benefits of Alfuzosin, it is important to follow these guidelines for safe and effective use:

1. The “Full Stomach” Rule:
2. Always take Alfuzosin immediately after a meal, typically dinner. Taking it on an empty stomach significantly reduces its absorption.
3. No Crushing: These are “prolonged-release” tablets. Chewing, crushing or breaking them releases the entire 24-hour dose at once, which can be dangerous. Swallow the tablet whole.
4. Consistency is Key: Take the medication at the same time every day to maintain a steady level in your bloodstream.

Safety & Side Effects

General Tolerance:

Most men tolerate Alfuzosin well because it is more “uro-selective” (targets the urinary tract specifically) than some older alpha-blockers. However, be aware of the following:

• First-Dose Effect:
• You may experience dizziness or lightheadedness when starting the medication or if your dose is increased. It is advisable to take your first few doses before bed.
• Common Side Effects:
• Headache, tiredness or mild nasal congestion are common side effects.
• Rare but Serious:
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a painful erection lasting more than four hours (priapism).

Surgery Considerations:

If you are planning cataract or glaucoma surgery, inform your eye surgeon that you are taking Alfuzosin. It can cause a condition called “Floppy Iris Syndrome” during the procedure. However, surgeons can easily manage this if they are aware in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long does it take for Alfuzosin to start working?

A: You may notice a difference in your urinary flow within a few days but it often takes two to three weeks to experience the full benefit of the medication. Patience is key.

Q: Does Alfuzosin cause sexual side effects?

A: Unlike some other prostate medications (such as Finasteride), Alfuzosin is much less likely to cause issues such as erectile dysfunction or low libido. In fact, it is often preferred for men who wish to avoid these specific side effects.

Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking this?

A: You should be cautious. Alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of Alfuzosin causing you to feel more dizzy or faint than usual. If you do drink, keep it very moderate and observe how your body reacts.

Q: Will it lower my blood pressure?

A: While it is not used to treat high blood pressure, it can cause a slight drop, particularly when standing up quickly (orthostatic hypotension). Always stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Q: Can I stop taking it once my symptoms improve?

A: No. Alfuzosin manages the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia but does not cure the enlargement. If you stop taking it, your urinary symptoms will likely return within a few days. Always consult your doctor before stopping any prescribed medication.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride 0.5mg Capsule

Dutasteride belongs to a class of medications known to be 5-alpha reductase inhibitors used in the treatment of symptoms of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). It may also be effective in hair growth of male-patterned baldness, lesser in its effectiveness. Dutasteride shrinks prostate size by stopping the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Significant Considerations

Prostate Shrinkage: The medication will reduce in size the prostate gland.

Improved Urinary Flow: The symptoms like weak stream, straining, or the frequent urge to urinate will be treated.

Decreases the Risk of Surgery: Long-term retardation of the need for BPH-related surgery.

Hair Growth Support: Yet another use of these tablets is minimizing DHT level resulting in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Directions

Dosage: Standard dose of 0.5 mg once a day is the dosage that one should usually go with. The advice given by your doctor is mandatory to follow without alterations.

Only Drink: Take the capsule at the same hour every day to maintain a constant level in the body.

Administration: Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not break it or apply any pressure on it to be cut open as the contents might prove irritable to mouth and throat.

Food: May be taken with or without food.

Important Safety Information

Warning

Women: Dutasteride must not be handled or taken by women, particularly those who are or may become pregnant. The medicine can be absorbed through the skin and affect a developing male fetus.

Blood Donation: You must not donate blood while on Dutasteride therapy and thereafter for a further 6 months.

Liver Health: Please see your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, as the drug is metabolized by the liver.

Side Effects

More commonly dutasteride is well tolerated in most people, and some may report:

Loss of libido

Erectile dysfunction

Lower ejaculate volume during orgasms

Breast tenderness or gynecomastic

In most cases, these side effects will go away after a period of adjustment or when the drug is stopped.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: For how long should Dutasteride produce results?

A: Often it can take a while; some men will notice differences within some days or weeks, whereas full clinical benefit with respect to prostate shrinkage or hair regrowth usually takes three to six months of continued use.

Q: Once I feel better, can I stop the medication?

A: One should not stop without telling the physician. BPH is chronic, and if the medication is stopped, the prostate could grow once more, and the symptoms return.

Q: Can Dutasteride cause weight gain?

A: Dutasteride has not been associated with weight gain. If signs of weight gain are present, the patient should be referred for investigation.

Q: Is Dutasteride better than Finasteride?

A: Both of them are effective. But Dutasteride blocks both Type I and Type II enzymes, so that the reduction in DHT is higher than Finasteride. Normally it is over 90%. Your doctor will decide which is better suited to your case.

Q: What should I do if I miss a dose?

A: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If a long time has elapsed since the last scheduled dose, then skip it. Do not take two doses at once.