Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Cardura, Cardura XL

Generic Name: doxazosin (Pronunciation: dox AY zo sin)

• What is doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What are the possible side effects of doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What is the most important information I should know about doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• How should I take doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What should I avoid while taking doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• What other drugs will affect doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cardura 1 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with CARDURA, 1 mg

Cardura 2 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with CARDURA, 2 mg

Cardura 4 mg

oblong, orange, imprinted with CARDURA, 4 mg

Cardura 8 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with CARDURA, 8 mg

Doxazosin 1 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with 093, APO

Doxazosin 1 mg-ETH

oblong, gray, imprinted with 1mg, ETH 266

Doxazosin 1 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M D9

Doxazosin 1 mg-PP

round, white, imprinted with R 642

Doxazosin 1 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with N 590, 1

Doxazosin 2 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with 094, APO

Doxazosin 2 mg-ETH

oblong, yellow, imprinted with 2 mg, ETH 267

Doxazosin 2 mg-MYL

round, pink, imprinted with M D10

Doxazosin 2 mg-PP

oblong, white, imprinted with R 643

Doxazosin 2 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with N 593, 2

Doxazosin 4 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with APO, 095

Doxazosin 4 mg-ETH

oblong, pink, imprinted with 4 mg, ETH 268

Doxazosin 4 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with M D11

Doxazosin 4 mg-TEV

diamond, white, imprinted with N 596, 4

Doxazosin 8 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with 096, APO

Doxazosin 8 mg-ETH

oblong, blue, imprinted with ETH269, 8 mg

Doxazosin 8 mg-MYL

round, lavender, imprinted with M D12

Doxazosin 8 mg-PP

round, white, imprinted with R 645

Doxazosin 8 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with N 598, 8

What are the possible side effects of doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious 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.

Less serious side effects may include:

• weakness;
• headache;
• dizziness; or
• diarrhea, stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxazosin or similar medicines such as prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).

Doxazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of doxazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.

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.