Men who have BPH, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, experience symptoms such as frequent and urgent urination, painful urination, and trouble urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying). It is also used to treat high blood pressure, either on its alone or in conjunction with other drugs. Doxazosin belongs to the group of drugs known as alpha-blockers. By calming the muscles in the bladder and prostate, it reduces the signs and symptoms of BPH. By relaxing the blood vessels, it decreases blood pressure and facilitates easier blood circulation throughout the body.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

Doxazosin is available as a tablet and an oral extended-release tablet. The doxazosin tablet is typically used once daily, in the morning or the evening, with or without food. The extended-release pill of doxazosin is typically taken once day with breakfast. Doxazosin should be taken at the same time each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Doxazosin should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not split, chew, or crush the extended-release pills; instead, swallow them whole.

Doxazosin dosage will be progressively increased by your doctor, not more than once every one to two weeks, starting with a low starting dose. Call your doctor if you stop taking doxazosin for a few days or longer. You will need to start taking doxazosin again at the lowest dose, and your doctor will need to gradually raise it.

Doxazosin does not treat BPH, but it does reduce its symptoms and high blood pressure. You might not experience doxazosin’s full benefits for a few weeks. Doxazosin should still be used even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking doxazosin.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking doxazosin,

• If you have an allergy to doxazosin, prazosin (Minipress), terazosin, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in doxazosin tablets or extended-release tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: Antihistamines, ipratropium (Atrovent, in Combivent), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), itraconazole (Biaxin, in Prevpac), itraconazole (Biaxin, in Prevpac), itraconazole (Biaxin, in Prevpac), itraconazole; prescription drugs for high blood pressure; drugs for HIV/AIDS such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), or saquinavir (Invirase); drugs for irritable bowel syndrome, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, ulcers, or urinary problems; nefazodone; teli (Vfend). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Inform your physician if you experience angina (chest discomfort), low blood pressure, low blood pressure that occurred after taking a prescription, prostate cancer, liver disease, or low blood pressure that has ever occurred. Tell your doctor if you experience constipation, short bowel syndrome (a condition where more than half of the small intestine has been removed by surgery or damaged by disease), narrowing, or a blockage of the intestines if you are taking the extended-release pill.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking doxazosin.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking doxazosin with your doctor. Doxazosin is often not recommended for use in older individuals to treat high blood pressure since it is less safe than other drugs that can be used to do so.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking doxazosin if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery. Be remember to inform your doctor that you are taking or have recently taken doxazosin if you require eye surgery at any point during or after your treatment.
• Doxazosin has the potential to cause you to feel sleepy or lightheaded. After taking doxazosin for the first time or after your dose has been increased, you should wait 24 hours before operating machinery or engaging in other risky activities.
• Doxazosin may make you feel faint, lightheaded, or dizzy if you stand up too rapidly from a resting position. When you initially start taking doxazosin, when your dose is increased, or when your therapy has been halted for longer than a few days, this is more likely to happen. Get out of bed gradually, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up, to avoid this issue. Sit or lie down if you encounter these symptoms. Call your doctor if these symptoms do not go away.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for your meals, including those that call for a low-sodium (salt) diet.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one. If you have missed two or more doses, consult your doctor.

Doxazosin might have undesirable effects. If any of these symptoms, or any of the ones detailed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, are severe or do not go away, consult your doctor:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Edoema of the lower legs, ankles, feet, or hands
• Breathing difficulty
• Gaining weight
• Joint or muscle discomfort or weakness
• Distorted vision
• Clogged nose
• Reduced sexual capacity

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

• Irregular, hammering, or quick heartbeat
• Chest ache
• Breathing difficulty
• Hives
• Hours-long, excruciating penile erection

Further negative effects of doxazosin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Seizure

If you use doxazosin extended-release tablets, you can see something in your stool that resembles a tablet. The fact that the tablet is empty does not imply that you did not take the whole prescribed amount of medication.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments. If you are taking doxazosin to treat high blood pressure, you should have your blood pressure monitored frequently to see how the drug is working for you.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.