Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Doxazosin

Doxazosin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Doxazosin?

Doxazosin is an alpha-receptor blocker prescribed to treat conditions including hypertension (high blood pressure), benign prostatic hyperplasia, and some symptoms associated with prostate cancer. It works by relaxing the muscles in the walls of arteries and veins, thus allowing blood to flow more easily. This reduces blood pressure and improves the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart during exercise. It also relaxes the muscles surrounding certain glands and organs in the body, including those surrounding the prostate gland, thus decreasing urinary obstruction.

What are the uses of Doxazosin?

Doxazosin is a medication used in the treatment of hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doxazosin also improves the symptoms of BPH, such as urine flow and prostate-specific antigen levels, compared to a placebo. Doxazosin is effective as a treatment for high blood pressure but may have higher rates of adverse effects than other anti-hypertensive classes. Doxazosin can be used as part of a multi-drug treatment. As a result, you may need to combine it with other medications.

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    What are the side effects of Doxazosin?

    There are several possible side effects of Doxazosin, both physical and mental. If you notice any of the following, please contact your doctor immediately: Upper respiratory tract infection, cough, hoarseness, lower respiratory tract infection such as pneumonia or bronchitis, flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.  Headache, dizziness when lying down or standing up, sudden hypotension. Other side effects include hypersensitivity reactions such as rash and hives, sensitivity to sunlight.

    If you have further queries on the precautions, uses, and dosages, and side effects of Doxazosin tablets, our experts at Yashoda Hospitals are a call away.

    What is Doxazosin

    Uses of Doxazosin

    Side effects of Doxazosin

    References

    1. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693045.html
    2. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/doxazosin-oral-tablet#side-effects
    3. https://www.drugs.com/doxazosin.html
    4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3750-8060/doxazosin-oral/doxazosin-oral/details

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Doxazosin

    No. Doxazosin may have a diuretic effect, increasing the amount of urine. This is because Doxazosin can inhibit sodium reabsorption and decrease blood volume. It is important to note that these effects are often less pronounced than those produced by other agents with known diuretic properties such as loop or thiazide diuretics.

    Doxazosin can cause erectile dysfunction. If you are experiencing ED, speak to your doctor about it. Your doctor could switch you to a different medication or prescription drug rehabilitation treatment so that you can overcome the problem.

    No. Do not break, chew, or crush the extended-release pills; they must be swallowed whole. A common side-effect of Doxazosin Mesylate is difficulty swallowing, leading some people to crush their tablets before taking them. Crushing medication will not speed up how quickly it works, and crushing a drug is not recommended due to the potential for damage to the pill and inconsistent dosing.

    Doxazosin is taken at night because it works better that way. When doxazosin is taken in the morning, about half of the drug has been cleared out of your body by nighttime. When you take doxazosin at night, more than 90% of the drug remains active in your body overnight. Doxazosin is always taken at night because its absorption slows down during sleep, meaning it has a more prolonged effect.

    Doxazosin blood levels reach a peak two to three hours after an oral dose. The doxazosin dose has a blood pressure-lowering impact within one to six hours. As early as one week after starting doxazosin, patients have experienced relief from BPH symptoms and increased urine flow.

    Yes. The first major issue with doxazosin and kidneys is that it can lower blood pressure too much if the patient has pre-existing kidney problems, making them faint or dizzy. This can be fixed by lowering the dosage of doxazosin. Also, because this medication relaxes muscles in the kidney, it can increase the risk of kidney stones.

    No. If you take Doxazosin to treat high blood pressure, you may experience insomnia as a side effect of this drug. This is why it's essential to consult your doctor before beginning treatment with Doxazosin. Your physician will help determine the appropriate dosage that will prevent elevated blood pressure without causing sleep issues.

    Yes. Doxazosin also acts as a type of alpha-blocker. This means it works similarly to medications such as prazosin and terazosin by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels and helping them dilate when necessary. By enlarging these blood vessels, there is less strain on the heart due to the decreased pressure; therefore, it reduces blood pressure.

    Patients who are experiencing shortness of breath with doxazosin should contact their doctor. Doxazosin is not considered a primary cause of shortness of breath at usual doses, but patients who have already have breathing problems can experience worsened symptoms with this medication. This medication is also known to cause accumulation of mucus in the lungs leading to shortness of breath with exercise.

    Yes. Doxazosin is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also sold as Cardura. As with many drugs that affect the cardiovascular system, weight gain is a side effect.