What is Doxazosin?
Doxazosin is a drug used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate and high blood pressure, marketed under the brand name Cardura, among others. It is a less favorable choice for high blood pressure. It is swallowed orally.
Doxazosin uses
Doxazosin is used for treating high blood pressure alone or with other medications (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps to avoid strokes, kidney complications, and heart attacks. Doxazosin is also used in men to relieve the effects of an enlarged prostate. This drug works by calming blood vessels so that blood can flow more freely (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). The prostate does not shrink, so it functions by relaxing the prostate muscles and part of the bladder. This helps to reduce BPH symptoms such as trouble starting urine flow, sluggish stream, and regular or urgent urination (including during the middle of the night). Doxazosin belongs to alpha-blockers.
How to use
- If available from your pharmacist, read the Patient Information Leaflet before you start taking doxazosin, and each time you receive a refill. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Take this medicine by mouth, as prescribed by your doctor, with or without food, usually once a day.
- Doxazosin may cause your blood pressure to unexpectedly drop, which could lead to dizziness or fainting, normally within 2 to 6 hours of taking it. This risk is greater when you start taking this medication for the first time, when your doctor raises your dosage, or when you begin treatment again after you stop taking it. Avoid conditions at these moments where if you faint, you can be hurt.
- The dose depends on your medical condition and your treatment reactivity.
- To get the most benefits from it, take this drug daily. To help you remember, take it each day at the same time. If you miss a few days of treatment with doxazosin, you may need to resume treatment at a low dose and progressively increase your dose again. For more info, contact your doctor.
- Even if you feel well, carry on taking this drug. The majority of persons with elevated blood pressure do not feel ill.
- Within 1 to 2 weeks, you can see a profit from this medicine. If your condition does not change, or if it worsens, tell your doctor (your blood pressure readings remain high or increase, or your BPH symptoms worsen).
Doxazosin Side Effects
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Swelling of your feet
- Swollen hands, arms, and legs
- Low blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Itching
- Swelling in your face or lips
- Tongue, or throat swelling
- Hives
- Breathing problems
- shortness of breath
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you are allergic to it or any other alpha-blockers, such as prazosin or terazosin, or whether you have any other allergies before you start taking doxazosin. There may be inactive ingredients in this substance that may cause allergic reactions or other problems. For more info, talk to your pharmacist.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history before taking this drug, particularly: heart disease (such as congestive heart failure, angina, heart attack in the last 6 months), liver disease, some problems with your eyes (cataracts, glaucoma).
- You can get lightheaded or sleepy with this medication. You can become more dizzy or drowsy with alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, use tools, or do something that involves caution before you can do it safely. To ban alcoholic drinks. If you use marijuana, talk to your doctor (cannabis). See the How to Use portion, too.
- Tell your doctor or dentist whether you are taking or have ever taken this drug and about all the other drugs you use before getting surgery (including cataract/glaucoma eye surgery).
- For pregnant women - Doxazosin, an extended-release form, is not intended for use in women. In females, the immediate-release form of the medication can be used. However, in humans, there have not been enough studies to be sure how doxazosin may affect a fetus during pregnancy.
- If you're pregnant or intend to become pregnant, tell your doctor. During pregnancy, Doxazosin can be used only if the possible advantage justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
- For breastfeeding women- Doxazosin passes through breast milk. It may be appropriate for you and your doctor to determine whether you will take this drug or breastfeed.
- For the elderly- This drug should be used with caution in people 65 years of age and older. If you're 65 or older, when you get up, you have an increased chance of getting low blood pressure. This can lead to lightheadedness and dizziness.
- For children - The safety and efficacy of doxazosin have not been identified for people below the age of 18 years.
Dosage for high blood pressure
- Generic: Doxazosin
- Form - oral immediate-release tablet
- Strength- 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg
- Brand - Cardura
- Form- oral immediate-release tablet
- Strength- 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg
- Adult dose (ages from 18–64 years)
- Typical dosage - 1 mg once daily.
- Increases in dosage: Your doctor can increase your dosage to a maximum of 16 mg once a day, based on your blood pressure.
- Dosage for children (ages 0–17 years)
- For this age group, a safe and effective dosage has not been identified.
- Senior or elderly dosage (ages 65 years and older)
- Your body may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a reduced dose so that your body does not accumulate too much of this medication. So much of your body's medicine can be harmful.
Doxazosin Vs Prazosin
| Formula: C23H25N5O5 | Formula: C19H21N5O4 |
| Doxazosin belongs to alpha-blockers. | Prazosin is an alpha-1 blocker |
| Doxazosin is used for treating high blood pressure alone or with other medications (hypertension). | Prazosin is used to treat high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, and posttraumatic stress disorder. |
| Trade name: Cardura, Carduran, others | Brand Name: Minipress, Prazin, Prazo |
