Silodosin

About Silodosin

Silodosin blocks alpha-1 receptors in the prostate and bladder neck, binding with high affinity to the alpha-1A subtype, so the muscle there relaxes and urine flows more easily. It treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, which can cause difficulty urinating, painful urination and urgency or frequency, controlling the symptoms without curing the condition. It is not a blood pressure medicine. The usual dose is 8 mg once a day with a meal, or 4 mg in moderate kidney impairment.

Its most common side effect is orgasm with little or no semen, which the label says is not a safety concern and reverses when the drug is stopped. Dizziness and fainting on standing are more common at the start, so get up slowly and take care driving until you know how it affects you. Diarrhea, headache and a stuffy or runny nose also occur.

It must not be taken by people with severe kidney or liver impairment or an allergy to it, or with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin or ritonavir, and it should not be combined with another alpha blocker. Prostate cancer causes similar symptoms, so the prescriber checks for it before starting. Before cataract or other eye surgery, tell the surgeon you take or have taken silodosin, because it can cause floppy iris syndrome during the operation.

Taking Silodosin

How to take it

Once a day with a meal. If swallowing capsules is hard, sprinkle the powder from an opened capsule on a tablespoon of soft applesauce that is not hot, swallow it within 5 minutes without chewing, then drink an 8 oz glass of cool water.

If you miss a dose

Take it with a meal as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose; in that case skip the missed dose and carry on as usual. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage

At room temperature, protected from light and moisture, in the original tightly closed container (not in a bathroom), out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors must not be taken with it, and cyclosporine is not recommended. Diltiazem, erythromycin and verapamil can raise its levels. It should not be combined with another alpha blocker, and blood pressure medicines, sildenafil and tadalafil can add to dizziness on standing. Tell any eye surgeon you take or have taken it.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Silodosin differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic silodosin is made by many manufacturers, so the spread in cash quotes comes from how pharmacies price generics. Some start from what they paid plus a fee, others from published list prices, and those approaches can produce very different quotes for the same capsules.

It is taken every day for as long as it keeps working, so even a modest difference between pharmacies adds up, and a ninety-day fill carries one dispensing fee instead of three.

Ways to pay less for Silodosin without insurance

• Compare quotes from more than one pharmacy for the same strength and quantity.
• Ask for a ninety-day supply once you are settled on the dose.
• If silodosin is quoted high, ask the prescriber whether tamsulosin or alfuzosin, which are also alpha blockers for an enlarged prostate, would suit you.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Silodosin

1. 1.Does it matter which meal I take it with?
2. 2.What should I do about dizziness when I stand up?
3. 3.Is it safe with my blood pressure medicines, or with sildenafil or tadalafil?
4. 4.What should I tell my eye surgeon before cataract surgery?
5. 5.Can I open the capsule if I have trouble swallowing?

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