Doxazosin

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• 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.

How does it work?

• 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.

How is it best taken?

• 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.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• 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.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• 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.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy, tired, lightheaded, or weak. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies 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.

What should I monitor?

• 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.

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.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a dry place in a tight container at room temperature.

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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