Doxazosin – Information, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Drug Trade Name: Cardura, Cardura XL

Category: Alpha-adrenergic blockers

Generic Name: doxazosin

Introduction and Quick Information:

Doxazosin is an alpha-adrenergic blocker that improves the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as it relaxes the prostate and bladder muscles. It helps to treat symptoms like difficulty urinating (weak stream, dribbling, hesitation, incomplete bladder emptying), urinary urgency, frequency, and painful urination. Doxazosin is also prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It improves the blood flow in the body.

Is doxazosin Approved by U.S. FDA?

The U.S. FDA has approved doxazosin to cure benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension.

Usage and Benefits of Doxazosin:

Doxazosin is a prescription medicine that helps to treat being prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension.

Doxazosin for BPH (being prostatic hyperplasia): An enlarged prostate (medically known as being prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) is quite common in older males. When prostate becomes too large it starts causing problems with urination that lead to several constant discomforts. Enlarged prostate symptoms may include difficulty urination, frequency, nocturia and painful urination. Doxazosin does not shrink the enlarged prostates, it can provide quick relief from enlarged prostate symptoms.

Doxazosin for high blood pressure (hypertension): It allows blood vessels to relax, blood vessels become smooth that further increases the blood flow throughout the body.

Doxazosin Side Effects:

Some of the common side effects associated with this drug are:

Trouble breathing
Swelling of hands, feet or ankles
A tingling feeling in your chest
Fast or pounding heartbeats
Nausea
Fatigue
Headache
Mild dizziness
Runny nose

General Recommended Dosages of Doxazosin:

Take doxazosin as prescribed by the doctor.
Do not skip your dosages without telling your doctor.
If you have any doubt regarding your dosage schedule, stop taking Doxazosin and consult your doctor to clear misconceptions.

In case I Miss My Dose?

In case the dose is missed, take it as soon as you recall. If, it the time for the next dose then skip the missed dose. You may ask your doctor for further assistance.

In Case I Take Overdose?

Some of the common overdose symptoms may include fainting or extreme dizziness. If you find these symptoms, seek medical help.

Drug Interactions of Doxazosin:

There are some drugs which can potentially interact with diltiazem such as:

sildenafil (Viagra)
tamsulosin (Flomax)
vardenafil (Levitra)
acebutolol (Sectral)
aceclofenac (Aifen)
acemetacin (Baydol)
aldesleukin (Proleukin)

Life Style and Food Habits You Must Follow When on Doxazosin:

Your healthcare provider might instruct you to follow a diet and exercise regime while taking Doxazosin. There are some food and certain exercises that may help to control hypertension.

How safe is Doxazosin for Pregnant women or Nursing Mothers?

Pregnancy: Not indicated for use in females or for the treatment of hypertension; the limited available data in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage; no adverse developmental outcomes were observed in animal reproduction studies.

Lactation: Present in human milk; there is no information on effects on breastfed infant or effects on milk production.

Complications and Conditions Possible Due to Prolonged Use of Doxazosin:

Do not take doxazosin longer than recommended as it can cause some other health discomforts. Talk to your doctor about risks and adverse reactions if you take this medicine longer than prescribed.

Availability of Doxazosin:

This drug is available only by prescription.

Frank K. Norman, Pharmacologist

Frank holds a master’s degree in pharmacology and currently, working in the research department of a leading pharmaceutical company. He writes about prescription drugs and related topics, including uses, benefits, possible side effects and so on.