General Information and Indications:
Doxazosin is used to treat the symptoms
of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include
difficulty in urination (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete
bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. It
is also used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high
blood pressure. Doxazosin is in a class of medications called
alpha-blockers. It relieves the symptoms of BPH by relaxing the muscles of
the bladder and prostate. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood
vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.
Information For Users:
Doxazosin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is
usually taken with or without food once a day in the morning or in the
evening. To help you remember to take doxazosin, take it around the same
time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your
doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take doxazosin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of doxazosin and slowly increase
your dose, not more than once every 1 to 2 weeks. If you stop taking
doxazosin for a few days or longer, your doctor will have to start you again
on the lowest dose and slowly increase your dose.
Doxazosin controls high blood pressure and the symptoms of BPH but does not
cure them. Continue taking doxazosin even if you feel well. Do not
discontinue taking doxazosin without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Doxazosin also is used sometimes with other medications to treat congestive
heart failure. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this
medication for your condition.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to doxazosin, prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), or any other
medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: other medications for high
blood pressure. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications
or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding liver disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking doxazosin, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking doxazosin.
o you should know that doxazosin may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive
a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after the first time you take
doxazosin or after your dose is increased.
o you should know that doxazosin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and
fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more
common when you first start taking doxazosin and when your dose is
increased. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet
on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. If you experience these
symptoms, sit or lie down.
Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these
directions carefully.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Doxazosin may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o dizziness
o lightheadedness
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o shortness of breath
o dry mouth
o drowsiness
o muscle or joint pain or weakness
o abnormal vision
o runny nose
o decreased sexual ability (Impotence)
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
o fainting
o painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o dizziness
o lightheadedness
o fainting
o seizure
Brand Name(s):
o Cardura® |
