Silodosin
Generic Rapaflo
Silodosin (SI lo doe sin) is a generic medication prescribed for treating symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Silodosin belongs to a group of drugs called alpha blockers.
Silodosin (SI lo doe sin) is a generic medication prescribed for treating symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Silodosin belongs to a group of drugs called alpha blockers.
- Generic
- • Capsule
- • 8mg
- • 30 Capsules
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on August 30, 2023
Silodosin (SI lo doe sin) is a generic medication prescribed for treating symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Silodosin belongs to a group of drugs called alpha blockers.
Uses
Uses of silodosin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as silodosin for certain conditions. Approved uses for silodosin are described below.
Use for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Doctors may prescribe silodosin oral capsule for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called an enlarged prostate. It’s used for this purpose in adult males.* It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.
The prostate is a small gland near the male urethra (the tube through which urine and semen leave the body). With BPH, the prostate becomes enlarged and blocks the usual functions of the urethra. Symptoms may include:
- a need to urinate more often than usual
- a need to urinate more urgently than usual
- weak urine stream
- challenges completely emptying your bladder
- pain or discomfort in your pelvis
Silodosin belongs to a group of drugs called alpha blockers. The FDA hasn’t approved silodosin to treat high blood pressure. Doctors may prescribe other alpha blockers for this purpose, but silodosin isn’t one of them.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Side effects
Side effects of silodosin
Silodosin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of silodosin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about silodosin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for silodosin listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with silodosin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about silodosin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for silodosin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Silodosin oral capsule’s mild side effects include:
- retrograde ejaculation (when a male* releases little to no semen during an orgasm)
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- headache
- mild allergic reaction†
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for silodosin” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of silodosin are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about silodosin’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for silodosin listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, silodosin’s serious side effects include:
- orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when you get up), which may cause fainting
- changes in your eye that can affect cataract surgery during or after silodosin treatment
- priapism (an erection that doesn’t go away and may be painful)
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for silodosin” section.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for silodosin
Below, you’ll find information about silodosin’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of silodosin
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take silodosin, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for silodosin” section below.
Warnings for silodosin
Some people should not take silodosin, and others should take it cautiously.
Silodosin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether silodosin is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for silodosin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Silodosin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to silodosin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe silodosin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to silodosin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of silodosin
You should not take more silodosin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much silodosin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and silodosin
Information about silodosin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Silodosin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether silodosin should be taken during pregnancy. Silodosin is only approved for use in adult males.* For more information about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Silodosin and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether silodosin should be taken while breastfeeding. Silodosin is only approved for use in adult males.* For more information about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
FAQs
Common questions about silodosin
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about silodosin.
What brand names are available for silodosin?
Silodosin is a generic drug. Rapaflo is the brand-name version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.
If you have questions about Rapaflo versus silodosin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is silodosin similar to tamsulosin?
Yes. Silodosin and tamsulosin (Flomax) belong to the same group of drugs called alpha blockers and treat the same condition. Doctors may prescribe either silodosin or tamsulosin for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called an enlarged prostate.
Silodosin and tamsulosin are similar in their effectiveness. The authors of a research review concluded that silodosin and tamsulosin have similar effectiveness for reducing symptoms of BPH.
These drugs also cause similar side effects. For instance, either drug may cause males* to release little to no semen during ejaculation. But this review showed that silodosin may be more likely to cause this sexual side effect than tamsulosin. Not everyone who takes silodosin or tamsulosin has this side effect.
For more information comparing silodosin to tamsulosin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
How does silodosin work? And how long does it take to start working?
Silodosin works by relaxing the smooth muscle in the prostate and the surrounding tissues. This stops an enlarged prostate from slowing the flow of urine out of the body.
Silodosin starts working right away. In studies, people taking silodosin had an increase in their flow of urine within 2–6 hours after taking their first dose.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know whether you have questions about silodosin or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history increase my risk of developing side effects from silodosin?
- Can any of my other medications cause an interaction with silodosin?
- Should I avoid eating grapefruit while taking silodosin?
- What are my options if I can’t afford silodosin?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Jung JH, et al. (2017). Silodosin for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6486059/
- Silodosin capsules, for oral use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ea3bbafb-d32a-d0d3-e053-2a95a90ac387/spl-doc
- Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules, for oral use. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f185abfc-367d-45da-87c4-86d9f70bcd5d/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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