ONLINE PHARMACY find all drugs you want

Generic Name: doxazosin (dox AY zo sin)
Brand Names: Cardura, Cardura XL

What is Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

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.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

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.

How should I take Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

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. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a doxazosin overdose may include drowsiness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by doxazosin.

Cardura XL (doxazosin) side effects

• fast or pounding heartbeats;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• weakness;

• headache;

• dizziness; or

• diarrhea, stomach pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Cardura XL (doxazosin)?

There may be other drugs that can affect doxazosin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about doxazosin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Doxazosin is available with a prescription under the brand name Cardura. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Cardura 1 mg--white, oblong tablets

• Cardura 2 mg--yellow, oblong tablets

• Cardura 4 mg--orange, oblong tablets

• Cardura 8 mg--green, oblong tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.