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Doxazosin

    Brands

    DEA Class;  Rx

    Common Brand Names; Cardura, Cardura XL

    • BPH, Alpha Blockers

    Oral, alpha-blocker; used once daily for HTN and BPH; similar to prazosin and terazosin but longer-acting; the ALLHAT trial showed reduction of cardiac events in high-risk HTN patients treated with chlorthalidone vs. doxazosin, leading to discontinuation of the doxazosin group.

    Indicated for treatment of hypertension.
    For the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
     

    Hypersensitivity to doxazosin or other quinazolines

    • Dizziness (5-19%)
    • Fatigue (8-12%)
    • Headache (6-10%)
    • Vertigo (7%)
    • Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) (5%)
    • Edema (3-4%)
    • Rhinitis (3%)
    • Dyspnea (1-3%)
    • Abdominal pain (2%)
    • Hypotension (1-2%)
    • Nausea (1-2%)
    • Orthostatic hypotension (dose related) (0.3-2%)
    • Anxiety (1%)
    • Palpitations (1%)
    • Autonomic Nervous System: Priapism
    • Cardiovascular System: Cerebrovascular accidents, dizziness postural, myocardial infarction
    • Central and Peripheral Nervous System: Hypoesthesia, paresthesia
    • Endocrine System: Gynecomastia
    • Gastrointestinal System: Gastrointestinal obstruction, vomiting
    • General Body System: Fatigue, hot flushes, malaise
    • Heart Rate/Rhythm: Bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias
    • Hematopoietic: Leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia
    • Liver/Biliary System: Abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis, hepatitis cholestatic, jaundice

    Use with caution in liver disease or recent cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

    Rule out prostate cancer before initiating therapy

    May cause first-dose syncope or sudden loss of consciousness

    Risk of orthostatic hypotension (dose dependent)

    Potential for hypotension, dry mouth, and urinary complications in elderly

    Priapism (painful penile erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation) rarely reported (probably less frequently than once in every several thousand patients), with alpha-1 antagonists, including doxazosin; because condition can lead to permanent impotence if not promptly treated, patients must be advised about seriousness of condition

    Concomitant use of other antihypertensives (additive hypotensive effects)

    Extended-release form not indicated for hypertension

    Concomitant administration of immediate-release form with a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension

    Not indicated for use in females or for the treatment of hypertension; the limited available data in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage

    Present in human milk; there is no information on effects on breastfed infant or effects on milk production

    Adults

    16 mg/day PO for hypertension and 8 mg/day PO for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

    Elderly

    16 mg/day PO for hypertension and 8 mg/day PO for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Doxazosin mesylate

    tablet

    • 1mg
    • 2mg
    • 4mg
    • 8mg

    tablet, extended release

    • 4mg
    • 8mg