Drug NameDoxazosin Drug UsesDoxazosin is used for treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). How to useUse Doxazosin as directed by your doctor.
- Take Doxazosin by mouth with or without food.
- Doxazosin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the very first dose. Take your first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxazosin. Drug Class and MechanismDoxazosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of Doxazosin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Storage Store Doxazosin at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Doxazosin out of the reach of children and away from pets. Possible Side EffectsCheck with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
- back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; flu-like symptoms; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; pain; stomach pain; swelling; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; chest pain; fainting; painful and prolonged penile erection; pounding in the chest; puffiness in hands or feet; swelling of eyelids.
More InformationDoxazosin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Warnings/PrecautionsDo not use Doxazosin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Doxazosin or to similar medicines (e.g., prazosin).
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Important :
- Doxazosin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Doxazosin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur if you stand up too fast from lying or sitting. If this occurs, get up slowly and avoid sudden posture changes. These effects will more likely occur while you are taking the first few doses or if you have increased your dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking Doxazosin. They can also occur if you stop taking the medicine and restart treatment.
- Emsam may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Before drinking alcohol, discuss it with your doctor. Alcohol may worsen dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Be careful during exercise, hot weather, and if you must stand for long periods of time.
- Avoid situations where fainting could cause injury. If fainting occurs, lie down and stop taking this medication until you talk with your doctor.
- Doxazosin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Doxazosin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Doxazosin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Doxazosin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Doxazosin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
What is doxazosin?
Doxazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Doxazosin causes the blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and expand, improving blood flow. Doxazosin also relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Doxazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Doxazosin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about doxazosin?
Doxazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.
You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.
If you stopped taking doxazosin for any reason and have started taking it again, you may feel especially dizzy or light-headed after your first few doses.
Doxazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with doxazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take doxazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking doxazosin?
Doxazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with doxazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take doxazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or a history of prostate cancer. You may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during therapy with doxazosin. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether doxazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take doxazosin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Doxazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.
You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.
If you stopped taking doxazosin for any reason and have started taking it again, you may feel especially dizzy or light-headed after your first few doses.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure or prostate will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store doxazosin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you miss doses for several days in a row, call your doctor before taking any additional doses. You may need to use a lower dose of doxazosin for a short time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a doxazosin overdose may include drowsiness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking doxazosin?
Doxazosin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of doxazosin.
Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by doxazosin.
Doxazosin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
-
weakness;
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headache;
-
dizziness; or
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diarrhea, stomach pain.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Doxazosin Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension: Initial dose: 1 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 1 to 16 mg orally once a day. Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Initial dose:
Immediate-release: 1 mg orally once a day.
Extended-release: 4 mg orally once a day with breakfast
Maintenance dose:
Immediate-release: 1 to 8 mg orally once a day.
Extended-release: 4 to 8 mg orally once a day with breakfast. Depending on the patient's symptomatic response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 8 mg (the maximum recommended dose). The recommended titration interval is 3 to 4 weeks.
If switching from immediate-release doxazosin to doxazosin extended-release tablets, therapy should be initiated with the lowest dose (4 mg once daily). Prior to starting therapy with doxazosin extended-release tablets, the final evening dose of immediate-release doxazosin should not be taken. If doxazosin extended-release is discontinued for several days, therapy should be restarted using the 4 mg once daily dose. Usual Geriatric Dose for Hypertension: Initial dose: 0.5 mg orally once a day.
What other drugs will affect doxazosin?
There may be other drugs that can affect doxazosin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about doxazosin written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Doxazosin is available with a prescription under the brand name Cardura. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
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Cardura 1 mg--white, oblong tablets
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Cardura 2 mg--yellow, oblong tablets
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Cardura 4 mg--orange, oblong tablets
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Cardura 8 mg--green, oblong tablets
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