Pronunciation: dox-AZ-oh-sin
Generic Name: Doxazosin
Brand Name: Cardura
Doxazosin is used for:
Treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Doxazosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels, resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In men with BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms.
Do NOT use Doxazosin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient of Doxazosin or to similar medicines (eg, prazosin)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Doxazosin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Doxazosin. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of prostate cancer, kidney or liver problems, or high or low blood pressure
- if you will be having eye surgery
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Doxazosin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following.
- Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil, vardenafil) because severe low blood pressure may occur
- Clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, telithromycin, or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of Doxazosin's side effects
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Doxazosin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Doxazosin:
Use Doxazosin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Doxazosin by mouth with or without food.
- Doxazosin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the first dose. Take your first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly.
- If 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.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxazosin.
Important safety information:
- Doxazosin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. 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.
- Doxazosin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the first dose. Take your first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly. This will help to reduce your lightheadedness or dizziness. These effects will more likely occur after the first few doses or if your dose has increased, but can occur at any time while you are taking the medicine. It can also occur if you stop taking the medicine and then restart treatment.
- Doxazosin 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.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Doxazosin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery (including eye surgery).
- 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.
- Use Doxazosin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood pressure.
- Doxazosin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: 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.
Possible side effects of Doxazosin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; drowsiness; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; tiredness; weakness.
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); chest pain; fainting; irregular heartbeat; prolonged, painful erection; severe or prolonged dizziness or headache; shortness of breath; swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Doxazosin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe drowsiness; severe headache or dizziness.
Proper storage of Doxazosin:
Store Doxazosin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Doxazosin out of reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Doxazosin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Doxazosin 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.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Doxazosin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Doxazosin resources
- Doxazosin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Doxazosin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Doxazosin Drug Interactions
- Doxazosin Support Group
- 11 Reviews for Doxazosin - Add your own review/rating
- Doxazosin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- doxazosin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Cardura Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Cardura Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Cardura Consumer Overview
- Cardura XL Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Doxazosin with other medications
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- High Blood Pressure
- Raynaud's Syndrome
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