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Alfuzosin and PSA
On this site (MayoClinic dot org), there is the following blurb on Afluzosin:
"This medicine may affect the results of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which may be used to detect prostate cancer. Make sure you tell all of your doctors that you are using this medicine."
The exact blurb is also on Drugs.com.
However, my doctor insists it does NOT affect PSA. I cannot find any more detail on this, not even any studies that come to that conclusion.
Does anyone have any more info?
Is it possible the info posted her incorrect?
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Hi @franks59, it is so frustrating to discern accurate information when you have contradictory evidence and opinions. I'm not a medical professional, but I also did an internet search on alfuzosin, alpha 1 blockers and PSA levels.
Here, of course, is the Mayo Clinic information you found that mentions that alfuzosin may affect PSA levels https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/alfuzosin-oral-route/precautions/drg-20061611
I also found this study abstract that supports that it affects PSA levels https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19462822
However, many websites about the drug made no mention of PSA interactions. The drug company's product monograph (the detailed information about the drug) states:
Drug-Laboratory Tests Interactions
Treatment with alfuzosin hydrochloride for up to 12 months produced no clinically significant
changes in urinalysis, the routine biochemical and hematologic tests as well as in prostate
specific antigen (PSA).
I'm afraid that doesn't put you much further ahead in untangling the information. Frank, are you taking alfuzosin and now need to be screened for prostate cancer?
Thanks @colleenyoung,
My PSA velocity has been worrisome to me. Here's the trend:
06/12/2003 0.9
06/06/2006 0.8
07/27/2007 0.9
02/02/2008 0.9
10/07/2013 1.1
10/13/2015 1.3
10/20/2017 2.2
01/04/2018 1.6
05/09/2018 1.9
08/13/2018 2.7 (after 3 mos on FloMax)
11/05/2018 1.7 (after 3 mos on Afluzosin)
That study is good news for me. If the (rather old) study is correct, the the drug would have no effect on the PSA in cancer patients as the levels continued to rise. It only lowered them in patients with BPH, a common benign problem.
Either way, it seems I have nothing to worry about. Either it has no effect on PSA or it does reduce it but only if you have a benign condition.
Have taken. finateride for about 4 years. Last two annual PSA tests were both 3.3. After 7 weeks of Alfuzosin taken every other day and about 6 months since last test, I had a PSA result of 2.84. Also, noticeable symptom improvement. I feel like, for me, Alffuzosin has less side effects than Tamsulosin.
Alfuzosin versus flomax versus terazosin - my past experiences
I never noticed any change in my PSA on any of them
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Alfuzosin
Took myself was able to pee well and control the pee
Alfuzosin is available as a generic drug and as a brand-name drug. Brand name: Uroxatral. Alfuzosin only comes as an extended-release oral tablet.
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Terazosin
Other names
Hytrin
Made me pee too much, could not control well
Terazosin is a medication that treats high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It comes as an oral capsule that you can take by mouth with a glass of water as directed. The brand name of this medication is Hytrin®.
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Flomax/Tamsulosin problems
Other names
Contiflo XL, Faramsil MR, Flomaxtra XL, Pamsvax XL, Tabphyn MR
Why does Flomax stop you from ejaculating? - found on search
The parasympathetic controls erection, and the sympathetic controls ejaculation. Tamsulosin works as a sympathetic blocker. It relaxes special muscles in the prostate, which can compress the flow of urine through the prostate. Unfortunately, a side effect is a reduction or even complete prevention of ejaculation.
On the other hand after Tulsa Pro when things were inflamed post procedure I really needed the superior power of flomax for awhile.