TAMSULOSIN AND ALFUZOSIN
TAMSULOSIN AND ALFUZOSIN SIDE EFFECTS

One of the popular groups of drugs for BHP is alpha-blockers such as
Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc.'s Uroxatral and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals'
Flomax, which relax the muscles of the prostate to allow regular flow of urine.

Currently, tamsulosin is facing or will face a strong competition from alfuzosin.
A placebo blinded controlled study indicates that alfuzosin induces less side
effects and better sexual performance than tamsulosin[?probably, more
studies needed to confirm the results]]. [1]

Sanofi-Aventis' Xatral OD [Alfuzosin hydrochloride] was approved by US FDA
on June 12 2003. Totally, Xatral is an once-daily geomatrix formulation of
alfusozin HCl for BPH. Xatral® OD/Uroxatral® was marketed in Europe &
ROW since 2000 while in USA, Uroxatral was launched in November 2003 and
its primary care was launched in March 2004. Currently (in Q2 2005),
Uroxatral holds ~10% of combined treatment for Flomax and Uroxatral.

TAMSULOSIN SIDE EFFECTS

Sudden drop in blood pressure may occur after the first dose or change of
doses.

Overdose - Symptoms of a tamsulosin overdose include weakness; dizziness;
fainting; a weak, fast pulse; cold, clammy skin; and, possibly, loss of
consciousness or coma

Side Effect- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); a prolonged (4 hours or more)
or painful erection; severe dizziness; or fainting. Other, less serious side
effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take tamsulosin - mild
dizziness or drowsiness, weakness, double vision, abnormal ejaculation, or
changes in libido.

ALFUZOSIN SIDE EFFECTS

There are a lot of side effects for alfuzosin such as dizziness, upper
respiratory tract infection, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, dyspepsia,
constipation, nausea, impotence, bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis etc.
Overdosage will lead to hypotension.

CLINCIAL STUDY: TAMSULOSIN SIDE EFFECTS VS ALFUZOSIN SIDE
EFFECT

Nordling J, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, evaluated the efficacy and
safety of two doses (10 and 15 mg) of alfuzosin once daily and tamsulosin
(0.4 mg) once daily, compared with placebo, in men with benign prostatic
hyperplasia. In this study, 625 patients were randomized to receive alfuzosin
10 or 15 mg once daily, tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily or matching placebo for
12 weeks, with no initial dose titration. Nordling J and his colleagues found
that treatment with alfuzosin 10 mg significantly improved urinary symptoms
and peak urinary flow rate compared with placebo and was well tolerated.
There were also significant improvements over placebo with the active
reference, tamsulosin 0.4 mg. The incidence of sexual function adverse
events was higher with tamsulosin than with placebo. The benefit-to-risk
profile of alfuzosin 10 mg once daily appeared to be reduced with a higher
dose (15 mg).


References:
[1] www.skyepharma.com Online publication, July 28, 2005
[2] Efficacy and safety of two doses (10 and 15 mg) of alfuzosin or tamsulosin
(0.4 mg) once daily for treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. BJU
Int. 2005 May;95(7):1006-12.
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