Side Effects:

Common Dizziness, Ejaculation disorder.

Expert advice for Alfatam Capsule
Alfatam helps in relieving the symptoms of enlarged prostate. It doesn't decrease the size of the prostate. Alfatam must be taken with food. You will feel better within hours or days of starting treatment. Full effect is usually seen within 2 weeks. Alfatam may cause you to feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, or weak, especially when you stand up (orthostatic hypotension). Take special precaution if you have to drive, use machines or do any activity that needs alertness. If your undergoing eye surgery due to cataract or glaucoma, inform your eye doctor about the usage of Alfatam. Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney or liver problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Apart from taking medicines, what should I do to manage my prostate symptoms?
Simple lifestyle changes can help you manage your prostate symptoms better. Try to urinate when you first get the urge. However, take care not to strain or push to empty your bladder. Avoid drinking fluids (especially alcohol, caffeine) a few hours before bedtime or going out. You should also avoid medicines that can worsen urinary symptoms. These include some over the counter medicines for cold and cough.

Q. Can I take Alfatam in the morning?
Alfatam can be taken after any meal of the day but after the same meal every day. It should be taken half an hour after food.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with terazosin?
No, Alfatam should not be taken with terazosin. Taking them together can cause a severe fall in blood pressure.

Q. What is the benefit of taking Alfatam while the patient is on a catheter?
Clinical studies have shown beneficial results of using Alfatam in patients catheterised for acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These patients could pass urine more easily after catheter removal with a lesser need for re-catheterisation. Alfatam can be given to a patient with a catheter in place and can continue even after removal of the catheter.

Q. Is Alfatam an anticholinergic?
Alfatam is not an anticholinergic medicine. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Does Alfatam cause ejaculation problems?
Retrograde ejaculation (semen does not leave the body, instead goes into the bladder) and ejaculation failure (reduced or absent ejaculation volume) are common problems associated with the use of Alfatam, but this is harmless and more commonly seen at higher doses. Priapism (painful erection) is also a rare and serious side effect associated with its use.

Q. Is Alfatam a steroid?
Alfatam is not a steroid. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with deflazacort?
Yes, Alfatam can be taken with deflazacort. No harmful effects or any other interactions have been reported when they are used together.

Q. Does Alfatam lower prostate specific antigen (PSA)?
Lowering of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has not been seen with Alfatam. However, the effect may vary from patient to patient who is taking the medicine. You may need to get prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels checked at regular intervals. If there are any changes in the PSA levels during therapy, consult your doctor.

Q. Does Alfatam cause hair loss?
Alfatam is not known to cause hair loss. If you notice excessive hair loss during the therapy, consult your doctor.

Q. Is Alfatam available over the counter?
Alfatam is not an over the counter medicine. It is a prescription medicine and can be bought from a pharmacy only when prescribed by a doctor.

Q. Can the use of Alfatam increase blood sugar levels?
Use of Alfatam is not reported to increase your blood sugar levels. If you notice any change in the blood sugar levels while taking it, consult your doctor as this could be due to some condition which needs attention.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with tadalafil?
You need to take special precaution when taking Alfatam with tadalafil. Both are known to decrease blood pressure and can cause orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when standing from a sitting or lying down position). When taken together they can cause a severe fall in blood pressure which can be harmful.

Q. Does Alfatam cause weight gain?
Weight gain has not been reported as a side effect with Alfatam. Please consult your doctor in case you experience changes in weight while taking Alfatam.

Q. Does Alfatam cause dry mouth?
Alfatam use is not known to cause dry mouth.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with doxazosin?
No, Alfatam should not be taken along with doxazosin. Both the medicines decrease blood pressure and taking them together can cause a severe fall in blood pressure.

Q. Does Alfatam effect blood pressure?
Alfatam can reduce the blood pressure but not very significantly. However, it is also reported to cause postural hypotension (fall in blood pressure when you stand suddenly). Consult your doctor if you have these symptoms as the dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with finasteride?
Yes, Alfatam can be taken with finasteride. This combination is safe, well tolerated and works well in decreasing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Alfatam relaxes the bladder muscles which helps in free passage of urine and provides immediate relief and finasteride decreases the size of the prostate and provides a long-term relief in symptoms.

Q. Does Alfatam help in erectile dysfunction?
Alfatam is not indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Please consult your doctor if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction for its right treatment.

Q. When does Alfatam start to work?
An improvement in urine flow can be seen in 4 to 8 hours after taking Alfatam. However, it may take 2 to 4 weeks for the full effect to come.

Q. Is Alfatam a diuretic?
No,Alfatam is not a diuretic. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with sildenafil?
Special caution needs to be taken when Alfatam is taken along with sildenafil. Both are known to decrease blood pressure and can also cause orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when standing from a sitting position). So, when taken together they can cause a severe fall in blood pressure which can be harmful.

Q. Is Alfatam an antibiotic?
Alfatam is not an antibiotic. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with ibuprofen or paracetamol?
Alfatam can be taken with ibuprofen or paracetamol. No harmful side effects or other interactions have been seen when they are taken together.

Q. Can I use Alfatam with oxybutynin?
Alfatam can be taken with oxybutynin. Alfatam is given along when oxybutynin alone fails to control symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Oxybutynin helps in providing relief from symptoms of overactive bladder (urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency).

Q. Is there any relation between Alfatam and cancer?
Alfatam itself is not known to cause any cancers. It is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which can co-exist with prostate cancer. So, screening for prostate cancer should be done before and after starting the therapy

Q. Is Alfatam a sulfa drug?
Alfatam contains sulfur molecule in its structure. Patients with a sulfa allergy should report it to the doctor prior to therapy with Alfatam. However, allergic reaction due to the drug has only been rarely reported.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with ciprofloxacin?
Alfatam and ciprofloxacin are not known to have any clinically relevant drug interactions. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Q. How does Alfatam help in removal of kidney stones?
Alfatam helps in removal of kidney stones which are in the distal ureter. It works by relaxing the muscles of the urinary tract which causes an easy removal of the stones. It does not break the kidney stones. Use of Alfatam also decreases the need for painkillers.

Q. Is Alfatam a beta blocker?
Alfatam is not a beta blocker. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with pseudoephedrine?
Alfatam and pseudoephedrine are not known to have any meaningful interactions. However, they act by opposite mechanisms and produce opposite effects and hence you should consult your doctor before taking these medicines together because one can decrease the effect of the other.

Q. Can I take Alfatam if I have tachycardia (increased heart rate)?
Although Alfatam is not contraindicated if you have tachycardia, you should be very careful while taking this medicine as it can cause a fall in blood pressure which leads to increased heart rate (tachycardia).

Q. Is Alfatam a blood thinner?
Alfatam is not a blood-thinner. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with aspirin?
Alfatam and aspirin are not known to have any clinically relevant drug interactions. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with vitamin D?
Yes, Alfatam can be taken with vitamin D. No harmful effects or any interactions have been reported when these are used together.

Q. Is Alfatam a narcotic?
Alfatam is not a narcotic substance. It is an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. When should I stop taking Alfatam?
Do not stop taking Alfatam until you are asked by your doctor to do so. Continue taking it, even if you are feeling good. Alfatam needs to be stopped temporarily if you are undergoing any eye surgery like a cataract.

Q. Is Alfatam an alpha blocker?
Yes, Alfatam is an alpha blocker. It is a specific alpha1-adrenergic receptor blocker and is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Q. Can I take Alfatam with dutasteride?
Yes, Alfatam can be taken with dutasteride. This combination is safe, well tolerated and works well in decreasing the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Alfatam relaxes the bladder muscles and provides immediate relief by helping in free passage of urine and dutasteride decreases the size of the prostate and provides a long-term relief in symptoms.

Q. Who cannot take Alfatam?
Alfatam is contraindicated in patients with a history of allergy to Alfatam, history of postural hypotension (fall in blood pressure when getting up from sitting or lying down position) or severe liver disorders.

Q. Why is it preferred to take Alfatam at bedtime?
Alfatam causes peripheral blood vessel dilatation and pooling of blood in extremities leading to a fall in blood pressure on the sudden change in posture from lying down to sitting or standing. The patient experiences dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, spinning sensation, and vertigo. This can be prevented if the patient remains in the lying down position for a long time. So, it is preferred to take Alfatam at bedtime especially when therapy is initiated.

Q. Why does Alfatam cause dizziness?
Alfatam causes peripheral blood vessel dilatation and pooling of blood in extremities causing fall in blood pressure on the sudden change in posture from lying down to sitting or standing. This makes patient experiences dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, spinning sensation, and vertigo.

Q. For how long can Alfatam be taken?
Alfatam can be taken till the symptoms are under control. Some clinical studies have used Alfatam for as long as 6 years.

Q. Can I use Alfatam with antibiotics?
Alfatam should not be used with ketoconazole which is an antifungal as it can increase the levels of Alfatam and cause a fall in blood pressure. It is not known to have any significant interactions with other antibiotics.

Q. Why should I stop taking Alfatam before my cataract surgery?
Alfatam can cause floppy eye syndrome in which the muscles of the iris become floppy and the pupil constricts unexpectedly during cataract surgery. So, when the eye surgeon actually needs a dilated pupil, it will constrict and restrict the field of surgery and can affect the surgical outcomes.

Q. Why does Alfatam cause stuffy nose?
Alfatam relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels and this vasodilation of the blood vessels can cause a stuffy nose.

Q. Is Alfatam an anti-inflammatory medicine?
Alfatam is not an anti-inflammatory medicine. It is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It relaxes the muscles around the bladder exit and prostate gland which helps in easy passage of urine and also decreases the urge to urinate again and again.

Q. Is Alfatam a hormone?
Alfatam is not a hormone. It is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the muscles around the bladder exit and prostate gland.

Q. Is Alfatam a nitrate?
Alfatam is not a nitrate. It is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the muscles around the bladder exit and prostate gland.

Q. Is Alfatam a statin drug?
Alfatam is not a statin drug. It is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the muscles around the bladder exit and prostate gland.

Q. When does Alfatam expire?
Yes, like any other medicine, Alfatam has an expiry date. Please check the expiry date mentioned on the pack before taking the medicine.

Q. Is Alfatam a painkiller?
Alfatam is not a pain killer. It is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker, used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by relaxing the muscles around the bladder exit and prostate gland. However, Alfatam decreases the need for painkillers in a specific condition like kidney stones.

Q. Is Alfatam a safe drug?
Alfatam is safe if used for a prescribed duration in doses as prescribed by your physician. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience with the dose advised, like a headache, nausea, and dyspepsia.

Q. Is Alfatam a controlled substance?
Alfatam is not a controlled substance. It's a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription by a doctor.