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What is the most important information I should know about doxazosin?
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To avoid falling, take the first dose at bedtime. Doxazosin may
cause
dizziness. It is a good idea to take every dose at bedtime, if
possible. |
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Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position,
especially if you wake up during the night. Dizziness may occur when
changing positions. |
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Do not stop taking this drug suddenly even if you feel better.
Stopping suddenly could cause your blood pressure to increase. |
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Doxazosin is in a class of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Doxazosin causes the blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and
expand, which allows blood to pass more easily through them. |
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Doxazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Doxazosin is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged
prostate). It relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck,
making it easier to urinate. |
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Doxazosin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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Who should not take doxazosin?
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have any type
of kidney or liver disease. You may need a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during therapy with doxazosin. |
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Doxazosin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is
not known whether doxazosin will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. |
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It is also not known whether doxazosin passes into breast milk. For
this reason, doxazosin should be avoided if possible during
breast-feeding. |
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How should I take doxazosin?
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Take doxazosin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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The tablets can also be crushed and mixed with liquid or soft food
such as pudding or applesauce if you have difficulty swallowing. |
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• |
To avoid falling, take the first dose at bedtime. Doxazosin may
cause dizziness. It is a good idea to take every dose at bedtime, if
possible. |
|
• |
Use caution when you stand or sit up from a lying position,
especially if you wake up during the night. Dizziness may occur when
changing positions. |
|
• |
Do not stop taking this drug suddenly even if you feel better.
Stopping suddenly could cause your blood pressure to increase. |
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only
the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of
this medication. A double dose could cause severely low blood pressure. |
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If you miss doses for several days in a row, call your doctor before
taking any additional doses. You may need to restart treatment with a
lower dose. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a doxazosin overdose include weakness, dizziness, and
fainting; a weak, fast pulse; cold, clammy skin; and possibly loss of
consciousness or coma. |
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What should I avoid while taking doxazosin?
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Avoid alcohol while taking doxazosin. Alcohol may cause drowsiness
or severely low blood pressure while taking doxazosin. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities until you know how the medication affects you.
Doxazosin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness
or drowsiness, avoid these activities. |
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Avoid becoming overheated. Low blood pressure, dizziness, and
fainting could result. Be careful not to overexert yourself, and use
caution in hot weather. |
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What are the possible side effects of doxazosin?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking doxazosin and seek emergency medical attention or notify your
doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an increased heartbeat; |
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shortness of breath or chest pain; |
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a prolonged or painful erection; or |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take doxazosin and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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dizziness or drowsiness; |
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weakness, fatigue, or feeling of not being well; |
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or
decreased appetite; |
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fluid retention or slight weight gain; |
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headache, irritability, or depression; |
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decreased sex drive; or |
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numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, arms or legs. |
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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. |
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What other drugs will affect doxazosin?
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Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal supplements, during
treatment with doxazosin. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about doxazosin written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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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. |
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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. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.03. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
