Objectives: Alfuzosin 10mg is a uroselective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recent studies have suggested the potential efficacy of alfuzosin in the treatment of distal ureteral stones and prostatitis syndrome, two conditions frequently encountered in young patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 10mg alfuzosin on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in young healthy volunteers.
Materials and methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, the effect of alfuzosin 10mg on BP and HR was evaluated in 14 male volunteers (mean age: 28 yr; range: 24-30). BP<135/85 obtained in two separated measurements was a main inclusion criterion. Patients were then randomized to alfuzosin (10mg once a day) or placebo for 1 wk, followed by a washout week, and then crossed over to the other treatment. Patients were instructed to self-measure systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and HR every hour between 8am and 8pm during the first and the last day of each cycle treatment.
Results: All 14 enrolled volunteers completed the study. No significant difference in either SBP, DBP, or HR was observed between the placebo and alfuzosin groups at baseline. Alfuzosin did not affect SBP, DBP, or HR. No hypotensive episode (SBP reduction >10%) was recorded during each treatment.
Conclusions: This study shows that alfuzosin 10mg is well tolerated by young healthy subjects and may therefore be safely administered to young normotensive patients affected by distal ureteral stones and prostatitis.