Generic name: Doxazosin (dox AY zo sin)
Brand names: Cardura, Cardura XL
Cardura Information:
Cardura is an alpha-blocker. This medication relaxes and dilates (expands) blood vessels resulting in lowered blood pressure. It is prescribed to cure hypertension. This drug can also be prescribed for prostate enlargement (BPH) symptoms such as urinary hesitancy and/or urgency. This medicament may also be used for treating heart failure.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Cardura earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Cardura to a child.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- liver disease
- an unusual or allergic reaction to Cardura, other preservatives, foods, medicines or dyes
- low blood pressure
- allergies (especially to other quinazolines such as prazosin)
- breast-feeding
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
Cardura is not recommended for people who have ever fainted after passing urine (micturition syncope), or who suffer from drops in blood pressure that cause dizziness when moving from lying or sitting to standing (postural hypotension)
How do I take this medicine?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Cardura should be taken orally with a glass of water. Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting. Take your doses at fixed intervals.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions:
- seizure (convulsions)
- fainting
- drowsiness
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Interaction:
- baclofen
- other alpha blockers, eg terazosin, tamsulosin
- beta-blockers, eg propranolol
- levodopa
- nitrates, eg isosorbide mononitrate, glyceryl trinitrate
- ACE inhibitors, eg captopril, enalapril
- calcium channel blockers, eg verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine
- antipsychotic medicines
- MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine
- angiotensin II receptor antagonists, eg losartan
- diuretics, eg bendroflumethiazide, furosemide
- benzodiazepines, eg temazepam
- phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for impotence, eg vardenafil, sildenafil, tadalafil
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Side Effects:
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- allergy like skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, hives, itching, difficulty breathing
- painful and prolonged penile erection
- fainting
- puffiness in hands or feet
- chest pain
- blurred vision
- pounding in the chest
- swelling of eyelids
Less serious side effects:
- back pain
- dizziness
- headache
- indigestion
- dry mouth
- pain
- nasal congestion
- lightheadedness
- nausea
- tiredness
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- feeling of a whirling motion
- swelling
- flu-like symptoms
- stomach pain
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Important Information:
Check your pulse rate and blood pressure on a regular basis. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience prolonged and painful erection which is unrelated to sexual activity (priapism). Avoid standing or sitting up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This decreases the dizzy or fainting spells risk. Alcohol may influence the effect of this drug. Do not take alcoholic drinks.
Storage:
Cardura should be stored at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Cardura out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.