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Details:
Doxazosin extended-release tablets Doxazosin extended-release tablets What are doxazosinextended-release tablets?
DOXAZOSIN (Cardura® XL) is an antihypertensive. Doxazosin lowers, but does not cure, high blood pressure.It works by relaxing your blood vessels. It also can be used to treatenlargement of the prostate gland in men. Generic doxazosinextended-release tablets are not available. What should I tell my healthcare provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•low blood pressure
•an unusual or allergic reaction to doxazosin,other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding How should I take thismedicine?
Take doxazosin extended-release tablets by mouth.Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets whole witha drink of water; do not cut, crush, or chew. Take your doses at regularintervals even if you feel better. Do not take your medicine more often thandirected. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber"sadvice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of thismedicine in children. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for yournext dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact withdoxazosin?
Do not take doxazosin if you are taking thefollowing medications:
•other alpha-blockers such as alfuzosin, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, prazosin, tamsulosin, terazosin
Doxazosin may also interact with thefollowing medications:
•antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs,such as ibuprofen)
•dopamine
•female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
•medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
•medicines for high blood pressure
•metaraminol
•methoxamine
•monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)
•sildenafil (doses of sildenafilhigher than 25 mg should be taken at least 4 hours apart from taking doxazosin)
•tadalafil
•vardenafil
•water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines youare taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, orherbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if youare a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if youuse illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check withyour prescriber or health care professional before stopping or starting any ofyour medicines. What side effects may I noticefrom taking doxazosin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health careprofessional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
•prolonged painful erection of the penis (priapism)
More common:
•dizzy or drowsy
•fainting spells
•numbness in hands or feet
•palpitations or pounding heart, irregular heartbeat
•swelling of the legs or ankles
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to yourprescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•headache
•nausea
•unusual tiredness What should I watch for whiletaking doxazosin?
Check your blood pressure regularly. Ask your prescriber or health careprofessional what your blood pressure should be and when you should contact himor her.
You may feel drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything thatrequires mental alertness until you know how doxazosinaffects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit orstand up quickly. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you moredrowsy, and can increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Take doxazosin at bedtime to lessen the effects of drowsinessand dizziness, but be careful if you have to get up during the night.Drowsiness and dizziness are more likely to occur after the first dose, afteran increase in dose, or during hot weather or exercise. Dizziness can decreaseonce your body adjusts to this medicine.
Although extremely rare in men taking doxazosin,contact you health care provider immediately if you experience prolonged andpainful erection of the penis which is unrelated to sexual activity (priapism). If not brought to immediate medical attention, priapism can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction(impotence).
Do not take nonprescription medicine for weight-loss without asking yourprescriber or health care professional. Also, do not take cough and cold, hayfever, or sinus medications without asking your prescriber or health careprofessional.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health careprofessional that you are taking doxazosin.
If you are taking Cardura® XL, you may notice theempty shell of the tablet in your stool. Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannotopen.
Store at room temperature between 15—30 degrees C(59—86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after theexpiration date.
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