Generic Name: doxazosin (dox AY zo sin)Brand Names: Cardura, Cardura XL
Doxazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Doxazosin causes the blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and expand, improving blood flow. Doxazosin also relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Doxazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Doxazosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Cardura XL (doxazosin)?You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxazosin or similar medicines such as prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin). Doxazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.
If you stopped taking doxazosin for any reason and have started taking it again, you may feel especially dizzy or light-headed after your first few doses.
Doxazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with doxazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take doxazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Doxazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with doxazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take doxazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking doxazosin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether doxazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Doxazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.
If you stopped taking doxazosin for any reason and have started taking it again, you may feel especially dizzy or light-headed after your first few doses.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure or prostate will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store doxazosin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you miss doses for several days in a row, call your doctor before taking any additional doses. You may need to use a lower dose of doxazosin for a short time.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of doxazosin.fast or pounding heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
Less serious side effects may include:
weakness;
headache;
dizziness; or
diarrhea, stomach pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio)
tadalafil (Cialis); or
vardenafil (Levitra).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with doxazosin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.