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| Pronunciation |
|
 (PRA
zoe
sin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Minipress® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Prazo® (Canada); Novo-Prazin (Canada);
Nu-Prazo (Canada) |
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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 doxazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin, prazosin,
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 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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- Prazosin 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. Prazosin does not cure the enlarged
prostate.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- 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 at least 6 hours between doses.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May worsen high blood
pressure.
- 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.
- If you are taking this medicine for high blood pressure, follow low
salt diet.
- 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.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, weak, or tired. Avoid driving, doing
other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this
medicine affects you.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
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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 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 |
|
|
- 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 at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- 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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