IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

DOXAZOSIN - ORAL

(dox-AZE-oh-sin)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cardura

USES: Doxazosin is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This medication is also used in men to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as enlarged prostate). It does not shrink the prostate, but it works by relaxing the muscles in the bladder neck and prostate. Relaxing these muscles leads to relief of symptoms of BPH such as the feeling of needing to urinate frequently or urgently, weak stream, difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, and the need to urinate during the middle of the night. Doxazosin belongs to a class of medications called alpha blockers.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. Doxazosin may also be used to help your body "pass," or get rid of, kidney stones through urination. It has also been used to help treat bladder problems in women.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. To avoid injury related to dizziness or fainting, take your first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. Your dose may be gradually increased. Take your first new dose at bedtime when your dose is increased unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens (e.g., your blood pressure readings increase or your BPH symptoms worsen).

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, weight gain, joint/muscle pain, or decreased sexual ability/interest may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes, fainting, shortness of breath, weakness, pounding/irregular heartbeat, swelling of hands/feet, anxiety. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, easy bleeding/bruising, fever, persistent sore throat. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion. For males, in the unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking doxazosin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other alpha blockers such as prazosin and terazosin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: prostate cancer, heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina, heart attack in last 6 months), liver disease, kidney disease. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially when you first start taking this drug or whenever your doctor changes your dose. Also, when you first start taking this drug, avoid situations where you may be injured if you faint. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery (including cataract eye surgery), tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. The elderly may be at greater risk for dizziness and low blood pressure while using this drug. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil). If you are also taking sildenafil and your dose is more than 25 milligrams, you can reduce your risk of fainting by taking your doses of sildenafil and doxazosin more than 4 hours apart. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, fainting, weakness.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. If you have high blood pressure, lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the readings with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., prostate exams, prostate-specific antigen or PSA) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up. Check with your doctor if you miss 2 or more doses.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.