• SILODOSIN is a medication which belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha 1A adrenergic receptor blockers
  • It mainly function by blocking or  targeting the alpha 1A receptor selectively those present over the urinary bladder,Prostate gland and urethra 
  •  It allows the relaxation of smooth muscles over the organs and make it easier for the free passage of water or urine  and relieves the symptoms associated with it 

Uses of silodosin

  • It is basically used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH where the patient have difficulty urination, incomplete bladder emptying ,dribbling ,frequency and urgency to urinate  
  • It’s usage is limited to use only in men particularly in adults  with enlarged prostate gland ,but not recommended to women and children 

Dosage in general population only for adults 

The drug is available in the form of capsules ,with oral mode of administration after the meals,the half life of the drug is around 11-13 hours 

  • Available as 4 mg and 8 mg in form of capsules 
  • For benign prostatic hyperplasia recommended dosage is 8 mg Po q day Along with meals 
  • For hepatic impaired patients,mild to moderate level of cases does not require any dosage adjustments 
  • Severe cases do require dosage adjustments 

Dosage in renal patients

  • For renal patients dosage is indicated and adjustments are given  based upon the creatinine clearance levels (CrCL)
  • If CrCL is greater than 50 mL/min it is not usually recommended
  • If CrCL is around 30-50 mL/min then the recommended dosage is 4 mg Po q day 
  • If CrCL is less than 30 mL/min then the usage of the drug is contraindicated

Dosage in children and women 

  • It is not intended to use the drug in children , Pregnant women and breastfeeding women 
  • If advised , you should take advice  from the expert and use it accordingly.

Side effects

  • The chief side effects the patient( usually men) faces  are challenging to handle  is Retrograde Ejaculation because of sympathetic stimulation.
  •  It is commonly noticed in about 25-30 % of cases 

Others include

  • Difficult during breathing
  • Swelling of face 
  • Itchy skin
  • Fainting
  • Skin hives 
  • Headache
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nasopharyngitis
  • Sinusitis 
  • Dry mouth
  • Diarrhea
  • Blurred vision
  • Insomnia 
  • Dizziness and drowsiness 

Drug interactions 

  • Certain drugs are carefully considered  in patients who are on drugs such as Ketoconazole,Itraconazole, Epileptic drugs , Antihypertensive drugs,Protease Inhibitors (HIV),
  • And also PDE 5 inhibitors(Sildenafil) might cause sympathetic hypotension 

Brands 

  • The drug is available in the 5  brand names with two different dosages in India  
  • Silodal 4 mg, 8mg from the Ranbaxy laboratories
  • Rapilif 4 mg ,8 mg from IPCA laboratories
  • Silofast available only in 8 mg from Cipla limited 
  • The brand name used  internationally is known to be Rapaflo .

Storage and precautions 

  • The drug is keep reach out of children 
  • Always take the medication along with the food preferably at the same time for every day for the recommended duration of course
  • Swallow the tablet as a whole ,don’t break or chew the drug 
  • Should avoid using after its expiry date 
  • Store at room temperature
  • The drug is only recommended to use as per the expert advice only because of the potential side effects associated with the usage 
  • Sudden standing up  or driving can cause dizziness or fainting ,Rest the foot first and wake up slowly 
  • Should not consume in severe hepatic or renal conditions and even in prostate cancers 
  • Always inform the dentist during surgical extractions of wisdom teeth or the ophthalmologist especially during the cataract surgery before the start of the surgeries 
  • Don’t skip the dosage ,if it happens you may have a pill or just avoid the missed dose and continue with the next day dose
  • Even though the patient’s health is stable ,it is advised not to stop ,if at all consult the expert  
  • Dietary restriction should be considered and grape fruit or its juice is avoided 

Conclusion

  • The drug is not for curative use of BPH, but it is given as a preventive therapy for Benign prostatic hyperplasia  to get relief from the symptoms and to improve the quality of life of the patient 

Frequently asked questions

How long does silodosin take to work?

It takes about 1 and ½ to 2 months to completely show it effect if taken consistently
As mentioned above It doesn’t cure the disease but can be controlled up to some extent to feel better and healthy

Is Silodosin better than tamsulosin?

Yes, silodosin is better than tamsulosin and it is prove to improve the quality life better and helped to relieve symptoms of Benign prostatic hyperplasia patients than tamsulosin 
It lessens the postural hypertension way better 
Few studies have shown that patients on tamsulosin doesn’t respond to the treatment

Does silodosin affect sperm count?

Yes,as it it highly selective blocked with the dosage of 8 mg it blocks the release of  sperm and aids in its declining counts , it acts at the ejaculatory duct region

Why silodosin given at night?

As the patient have the dizziness and drowsiness as side effects ,to avoid further injuries or a accidents it is advised during the night time 
Dosages are purely based on the medical conditions and response to the given treatment.

Is silodosin a long term drug ?

Yes , silodosin is included in a long term treatment regimen 
It is very important for patients to help to cope up with symptoms ,if not they may end up with potential risk

Is there any alternatives to silodosin?

There are few other drugs which belongs to same class to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia
Doxazosin 
Terazosin
Alfuzosin 
Few other class of drugs include Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and 5 -alpha reductase inhibitors

Does silodosin increase heart rate and blood sugar levels

No ,it does not increases heart rate and blood sugar levels 
Heart rate is evaluated in and in-vitro environment by ecophysiological study

Can silodosin cause urinary retention?

Silodosin can cause urinary retention which causes the swelling of face/throat ,legs and feet The patient may require recatheterization

Why is silodosin contraindicated in renal failure patients?

If CrCL is less than 30 ml/min ,it is contraindicated in renal patients
As the plasma concentrations are much more higher than the normal healthy patients
It is recommended for moderate CKD at lower dosages that is (i;e 4 mg, once daily ) 

Is silodosin used for UTI and kidney stones?

Yes,it is used for the removal of renal stones which on use allows the elimination of the stones painlessly with in short duration with fewer pain episodes 
Provide better removal of stones size ranging from 6-10 mm 

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