Rapaflo (Silodosin) - Oral

What Is Rapaflo?

Rapaflo (silodosin) is a treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It's a member of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist medication class, which is also simply called the alpha-blocker class.

It works by attaching to the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (binding sites). These receptors are located in different parts of the prostate. By binding to these receptors, silodosin relaxes the smooth muscle in the prostate. This relaxation relieves BPH symptoms and improves urine flow.

Silodosin is available as a prescription capsule. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't assigned any black box warnings to this medication.

What Is Rapaflo Used For?

Rapaflo (silodosin) is a treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an enlarged prostate medical condition.

This condition is common in adults assigned male at birth who are older than 50. As this population gets older, the prostate may increase in size. This enlarged prostate surrounds and squeezes the urethra, a tube through the penis that gets rid of urine.

This squeezed tube may result in the following BPH symptoms:

• Weak or slow urine stream
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Small amounts of blood in your urine

How to Take Rapaflo

Rapaflo (silodosin) is taken by mouth once daily with a meal.

If you have swallowing difficulties, consider the following general directions.

1. Gently pull the silodosin capsule apart.
2. Sprinkle the capsule's contents (powder) onto a tablespoon of soft applesauce. Use all of the capsule's contents. Don't try to save any of the capsule's contents for future use. Also, make sure the applesauce isn't hot.
3. Swallow the mixture—without chewing—within five minutes. The combination should not be saved for future use.
4. Drink an 8-ounce (oz) glass of cool water to swallow any powder that's still stuck in your mouth.
   

Storage

Once you pick up Rapaflo (silodosin) from the pharmacy, store the medication between 59 degrees to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Room temperature should be within this range. Don't expose this medication to light or moisture.

To be safe, you may also place silodosin in a locked cabinet or closet to keep your medication out of reach of children and pets.

If you plan to travel with silodosin, get familiar with your final destination's regulations. In general, be sure to make a copy of your silodosin prescription. Keep your medication in its original container from your pharmacy with your name on the label. If you have any questions about traveling with your medicine, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Visit the FDA's website to know where and how to discard all unused and expired drugs. You can also find disposal boxes in your area. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions about the best ways to dispose of your medications.

Off-Label Uses

There's some evidence to support alpha-blockers—like silodosin—in treating kidney stones that get stuck in the ureters (tubes that move urine from the kidneys to the bladder).

What Are the Side Effects of Rapaflo?

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects of Rapaflo (silodosin) may include:

• Common cold-like symptoms
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Ejaculation dysfunction
  

Severe Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of a severe reaction. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening.

Serious side effects and their symptoms include:

• Severe allergic reaction: If you have a severe allergic reaction to silodosin, symptoms may include breathing difficulties, hives, and swelling.
• Orthostatic hypotension: If you have orthostatic hypotension, you may experience low blood pressure with posture (positional) changes. Your blood pressure can become too low and lead to symptoms of dizziness and fainting.
• Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS): Alpha-blockers—like silodosin—may raise your likelihood of IFIS during cataract surgery. In IFIS, the iris (part of the eye that's responsible for pupil size) may decrease the pupil size or slip out of place. The iris may also billow (rise and roll) like the ocean.
  

Long-Term Side Effects

The risk of IFIS is still possible after stopping Rapaflo (silodosin). Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about your current or previous use of silodosin before cataract surgery.

Dosage: How Much Rapaflo Should I Take?

Modifications

The following modifications (changes) should be kept in mind when using Rapaflo (silodosin):

Severe allergic reaction: If you have a severe allergic reaction to silodosin or any other ingredients in Rapaflo, your healthcare provider will choose another treatment option.

Pregnancy: Rapaflo isn't typically indicated for people assigned female at birth.

Breastfeeding: Rapaflo isn't usually indicated for people assigned female at birth.

Older adults over 65: Compared to younger adults, some older adults may be more likely to experience low blood pressure with postural (positional) changes. Otherwise, there were no other safety or effectiveness differences between these age groups.

Children: There is limited safety and effectiveness information about Rapaflo in children.

Kidney problems: If you have moderate kidney impairment, your healthcare provider may lower your daily Rapaflo dose to 4 milligrams (mg). If you have severe kidney impairment, Rapaflo isn't recommended.

Liver problems: If you have severe liver impairment, avoid Rapaflo.

Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer and BPH (enlarged prostate) may have similar symptoms. Before starting you on Rapaflo, your healthcare provider will want to rule out prostate cancer.

People with swallowing difficulties: The Rapaflo capsule can be gently pulled apart if you have trouble swallowing capsules. Then, the capsule's contents (powder) can be immediately taken with non-hot applesauce—without chewing.

Missed Dose

If you accidentally forgot your Rapaflo (silodosin) dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's already close to your next scheduled dose, however, then skip the missed dose and take the following dose at your next scheduled dosing time. Don't try to double up to make up for the missed dose.

Try to find ways to help yourself remember to routinely take your medication that works for you. If you miss too many doses, Rapaflo might be less effective.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Rapaflo?

The symptoms of a suspected overdose of Rapaflo (silodosin) may include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Vision changes

If you think you're experiencing an overdose or life-threatening symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Precautions

What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Rapaflo?

Before taking Rapaflo (silodosin), talk with your healthcare provider if any of the following applies to you:

• Severe allergic reaction: If you have a severe allergic reaction to Rapaflo or any of its ingredients, Rapaflo isn't a viable option for you.
• Pregnant or nursing parents: Rapflo isn't typically indicated for people assigned female at birth.
• Older adults over 65: Compared to younger adults, some older adults may have a higher likelihood of low blood pressure with posture (positional) changes.
• Children: There is limited effectiveness and safety data about Rapaflo in children.
• Kidney or liver problems: If you have severe kidney or liver impairment, Rapaflo isn't recommended.
• Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer and BPH (enlarged prostate) may have similar symptoms. Therefore, your healthcare provider will rule out prostate cancer before starting you on Rapaflo.
• Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS): Rapaflo may increase your IFIS risk during cataract surgery. Before cataract surgery, notify your healthcare provider about your current or previous use of Rapaflo.

What Other Medications Interact With Rapaflo?

Use caution when taking Rapaflo (silodosin) with the following medications:

• Alpha-blockers: Rapaflo hasn't been studied with other alpha-blockers. Combining Rapaflo with other alpha-blockers—like Flomax (tamsulosin)—isn't recommended.
• Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors: Combining PDE5 inhibitors—like Cialis (tadalafil)—is linked with more side effects, such as low blood pressure from posture (positional) changes.
• Blood pressure medications: Taking Rapaflo with blood pressure medications may raise the likelihood of side effects, such as dizziness and low blood pressure from posture changes.
• CYP3A4 inhibitors: CYP3A4 is a protein in the liver that's responsible for breaking down medications, such as Rapaflo. Strong CYP3A4-inhibiting medications—like the itraconazole antifungal—prevents CYP3A4 from working as well. With a build-up of Rapaflo in the body, there's a higher chance of side effects. As a result, combining Rapaflo with strong CYP3A4-inhibiting medications isn't recommended.
• P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors: P-gp is a protein that helps move medications—like Rapaflo—around in your body. P-gp inhibitors—like cyclosporine that suppresses the immune system (the body's defense system)—may increase Rapaflo levels in the body, which also raise the risk of side effects.

For more detailed information about medication interactions with Rapaflo, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

And be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about all prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take.

What Medications Are Similar?

There are different medications used to treat BPH. Since Rapaflo (silodosin) is an alpha-blocker, the following medications are most similar to silodosin.

• Doxazosin
• Flomax (tamsulosin)
• Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
• Terazosin

In general, all BPH medications—including alpha-blockers—are effective at relieving BPH symptoms. Compared to non-specific alpha-blockers (e.g., doxazosin and terazosin), however, silodosin, tamsulosin, and alfuzosin are linked to a lower risk of low blood pressure with posture changes.

Alpha-blockers—like silodosin and tamsulosin, on the other hand, are more specific to the alpha 1a receptor (binding site). This specificity, however, is linked to a higher chance of sexual-related side effects, such as ejaculation dysfunction.

Since all of these medications are alpha-blockers, they're not typically recommended to be used together.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Rapaflo?

If you're taking Rapaflo, chances are BPH (enlarged prostate) has been negatively affecting your quality of life. You may have tried different approaches or treatments. While living with BPH does have its challenges, there are ways to help improve your quality of life. Refer below for some general tips to support your health:

• Take BPH-related medications as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Achieve a healthy weight to prevent high hormone levels that encourage a large prostate size.
• Have a healthy diet and exercise routine to help with healthy weight goals.