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Doxazosin |
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What is Doxazosin and why is it prescribed? Doxazosin is used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doxazosin relieves symptoms such as a weak stream, dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, and burning during urination. Doxazosin is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It is effective when used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, beta-blocking medications, calcium channel blockers or ACE inhibitors. Doctors also prescribe Doxazosin, along with other drugs such as digitalis and diuretics, for treatment of congestive heart failure. If you have high blood pressure, you must take Doxazosin regularly for it to be effective. Doxazosin does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control. How should you take Doxazosin? Follow your doctors directions for taking Doxazosin. Doxazosin can be taken with or without food. Try not to miss any doses. If Doxazosin is not taken regularly, your condition may worsen. If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia, you should see improvement in a week. Blood pressure will fall in 2 to 6 hours. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. Store Doxazosin at room temperature. Are there any Doxazosin side effects? Doxazosin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Doxazosin side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and headache. Less common Doxazosin side effects may include abdominal pain, abnormal vision, arthritis, constipation, depression, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, eye pain, fluid retention, flu-like symptoms, flushing, gas, increased sweating, inability to hold urine or other urination problems, indigestion, inflammation of conjunctiva, itching, flushes, joint pain, lack of muscle coordination, low blood pressure, motion disorders, muscle cramps, muscle pain, muscle weakness, nasal stuffiness, nausea, nervousness, nosebleeds, pain, rash, ringing in ears, shortness of breath, thirst, tingling or pins and needles, and weakness. Rare Doxazosin side effects may include abnormal thinking, agitation, allergic reactions, altered sense of smell, amnesia, blood in the urine, breast development in men, breast pain, breathing difficulties, changeable emotions, changes in taste, chest pain, confusion, coughing, decreased sensation, dizziness when standing up, dry skin, earache, fainting, fecal incontinence, fever, frequent urination, gout, hair loss, heart attack, hives, inability to concentrate, inability to tolerate light, increased appetite, increased thirst, infection, loss of appetite, loss of sense of personal identity, migraine headache, morbid dreams, nighttime urination, pallor, prolonged erections, rapid pounding heartbeat, sexual problems, sinus inflammation, slight or partial paralysis, slow heartbeat, sore throat, stroke, tremors, twitching, urinary disorders, vomiting, weight gain, weight loss, wheezing, and yellow skin and eyes. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Doxazosin? If Doxazosin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. No significant interactions have been reported. Are there any special warnings about Doxazosin? Doxazosin can cause low blood pressure, especially when you first start taking the medication and when dosage is increased. This can cause you to become faint, dizzy, or light-headed, particularly when first standing up. You should avoid driving or any hazardous tasks where injury could occur for 24 hours after taking the first dose, after your dose has been increased, or if Doxazosin has been stopped and then restarted. In rare cases, men taking drugs such as Doxazosin have developed priapism, a painful, long-lasting erection that persists for hours. If it occurs contact your doctor right away. If you have liver disease or are taking other medications that alter liver function, your doctor will monitor you closely when you take Doxazosin. Doxazosin may lower blood counts. Your doctor will most likely monitor your blood counts while you are taking Doxazosin. Doxazosin may cause you to become drowsy or sleepy. Prostate cancer has some of the same symptoms as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Your doctor will want to make sure you do not have cancer before starting you on Doxazosin. |
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