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| Pronunciation |
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 (doks
AYE zoe
sin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Cardura® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Alpha1 Blockers |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to prazosin, terazosin, doxazosin, or any other
part of the medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.
- In men, it is also used to treat the symptoms (frequent urination,
nighttime bathroom trips, hesitancy, dribbling) of an enlarged
prostate.
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| How does it work? |
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- Doxazosin lowers blood pressure by relaxing the arteries and lowering
the pressure in them.
- It also relaxes the muscles of the prostate improving the symptoms
listed above. Doxazosin does not cure the enlarged
prostate.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at bedtime.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with
caffeine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- There should be an interval of 18 hours between doses.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May worsen high blood
pressure.
- If you are taking this medicine for high blood pressure, follow a low
salt diet.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Be careful in hot weather. You may see a greater blood pressure
lowering effect.
- Do not use saw palmetto or nettle root (herbal products) if being
treated for enlarged prostate.
- Need prostate exam and blood test for prostate (PSA) before starting
on medicine for enlarged prostate.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Talk with healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy, tired, lightheaded, or weak. Avoid driving, doing
other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this
medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nasal congestion/blurred vision. These are seen more commonly in the
treatment of high blood pressure.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect. Seen more frequently when medicine is used for enlarged
prostate.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan (low salt) and exercise program, if being treated for
high blood pressure, as recommended by healthcare provider.
- If you are being treated for an enlarged prostate, have a rectal exam
(for prostate check) and PSA test. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Severe headache.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a dry place in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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