Doxazosin is a drug related to the pharmacological group of postsynaptic α-adrenergic blockers.
Therapeutic effect is twofold. The drug can reduce blood pressure by expanding the vessels of the peripheral circulatory system. Long-term use stabilizes regressive processes in the left ventricular area.
On this page you will find all information about Doxazosin: the full instructions for use on this medication, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already used doxazosin. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.
Clinical and pharmacological group
Selective competitive blocker of postsynaptic α1-adrenergic receptors.
Conditions of leave from pharmacies
It is released on prescription.
Price list
How much is Doxazosin? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of160 rubles.
Form of issue and composition
The active ingredient of Doxazosin is the same substance.
Produced in the form of tablets:
- Round flat in a dose of 1 mg;
- Capsules biconvex with 2 mg active substance;
- Rhomboid biconvex in a dosage of 4 mg.
Auxiliary ingredients: sodium glycolate, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearic acid, starch, milk sugar, microcrystalline cellulose.
Pharmacological effect
Due to doxazosin, the peripheral vessels expand, which helps to reduce their overall resistance, as well as lower blood pressure. In addition, the drug reduces pressure and resistance in the urethra and causes a decrease in the resistance of the internal sphincter.
According to reviews, Doxazosin helps to normalize urine output from the body naturally and reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There is a positive effect in the presence of arterial hypertension, including with such violations as obesity, a decrease in glucose tolerance, hyperlipidemia.
Thanks to taking the medicine, the probability of developing ischemic heart disease decreases.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Doxazosin is used to treat:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (both in the presence of arterial hypertension, and at normal arterial pressure).
- Arterial hypertension (as a monopreparation or in combination with other antihypertensive agents: ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenoblockers, thiazide diuretics).
Contraindications
The use of doxazosin is contraindicated in children under 18 years of age, as well as in cases of hypersensitivity to the components that make up it.
With caution, the drug is prescribed during pregnancy, during the period of breastfeeding, as well as in the following cases:
- Orthostatic hypotension;
- Mitral and aortic stenosis;
- Hepatic failure.
Application in pregnancy and lactation
Adequate safety studies of the use of doxazosin during pregnancy and during breastfeeding have not been conducted. The purpose of the drug is possible only in cases where the potential benefit to the mother exceeds the potential risk to the fetus or the child.
Instructions for use
The instructions for use indicate that doxazosin is taken once a day (in the morning or in the evening). The daily dose is determined by the indications:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia without hypertension: from 2-4 (usually) to 8 mg (maximum) per day.
- Arterial hypertension: the dose can vary from 1 (initial) to 16 mg (maximum). The initial dose is recommended before bedtime. After taking the drug, the patient should stay in bed for 6-8 hours (because of the possible development of the phenomenon of the "first dose", especially pronounced after the previous intake of diuretics). After 7-14 days of continuous treatment, in case of insufficient therapeutic effect, it is possible to increase the daily dose by 2 times. If necessary, after the same time interval, it is possible to increase the dose by another 2 mg, and so until an optimal therapeutic effect is achieved. Later, after achieving a stable therapeutic effect, the daily dose is usually reduced (with maintenance therapy, the average therapeutic daily dose is 2-4 mg).
Doxazosin is taken orally, regardless of food intake. Tablets need not to be chewed, washed down with enough water.
Side effects
However, when using the drug people with increased sensitivity to its components, or with a tendency to allergic reactions, the occurrence of such adverse events as a digestive disorder in the form of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, swelling of the intestine, likely skin rashes.
From the central nervous system is likely the emergence of excessive sleepiness, instability of mood. The following side effects of Doxazosin are also noted:
- cough;
- dyspnea;
- nasal bleeding;
- dizziness;
- erythema skin;
- symptoms of jaundice;
- deterioration of appetite;
- disturbance of night sleep;
- noise in ears;
- urinary incontinence.
However, listed side effects are noted with a special sensitivity to the components of the drug, instability of the gastrointestinal tract.
Overdose
Symptoms: marked decrease in blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by fainting.
Treatment: gastric lavage, reception of activated charcoal. The patient must be laid on his back and raised his legs. With a marked decrease in blood pressure, anti-shock measures are performed - they fill the volume of circulating blood, if necessary, prescribe vasopressors.
Hemodialysis is ineffective.
special instructions
- The doctor should warn the patient that at the initial stage of the course of treatment with Doxazosin, general weakness and dizziness can occur.
- The effect of the first dose of doxazosin is most pronounced with diuretic therapy and a diet with a reduced amount of sodium. Before starting treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, the doctor must exclude her malignant degeneration. In some cases, orthostatic hypotension may develop at the beginning of therapy. To avoid this, treatment should begin with a minimum dosage, gradually increasing it within 1 to 2 weeks.
The ability to manage transport and work with complex mechanisms can deteriorate somewhat, especially at the beginning of the course of treatment.
Drug Interactions
- It is not recommended to take doxazosin simultaneously with other α1-adrenoreceptor blockers.
- With simultaneous use with antihypertensive drugs, mutual enhancement of effects is possible.
- With the simultaneous use of drugs that affect the metabolic rate in the liver, it is possible to slow or accelerate the metabolism of doxazosin.
- At simultaneous application with blockers of calcium channels there is a certain risk of development of the expressed arterial hypotension.
- At simultaneous application with nitrates, means for the general anesthesia, tricyclic antidepressants, ethanol the hypotensive effect strengthening probably is possible.
- When used simultaneously with PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, tardenafil, vardenafil), some patients may develop symptomatic arterial hypotension.
- Estrogens and sympathomimetic agents can reduce the hypotensive effect of doxazosin. Eliminating the alpha-adrenostimulating effects of epinephrine (adrenaline), doxazosin can lead to tachycardia and arterial hypotension.
Reviews
We picked up some of the people's comments about the Doxazosin drug:
- Zahar. I have been taking doxazosin since 1998. It seems to me that thanks to him it has not yet been necessary to have an operation. Sometimes, when I do not take sonizin or omniks, but doxazosin helps reduce blood pressure, I mostly use it.
Doxazosin has a large number of positive reviews. Patients noted a pronounced hypotensive effect, a gradual decrease in pressure, a mild effect. Especially well respond older men suffering from hypertension and hyperplasia of the prostate. Such patients speak of a significant reduction in burning sensation during urination, a decrease in the number of nocturnal rises in the toilet.
In any case, treatment with this drug requires a cautious approach. Only the specialist should prescribe the dose and therapeutic regimen, after thorough diagnostic tests. In addition, a periodic examination and a visit to the doctor is required and during treatment.
Analogues
Virtually every medical preparation has its analogs. Doxazosin was no exception. Instead, you can use several other tools that have a similar type of action. In this case, minor differences can be observed only in the list of indications for use and the price category of medicines.
So, what are the analogues of the drug we are considering? "Doxazosin" can be replaced by the following means:
- Cardura.
- Omnik.
- Terazosin.
- Prazozin.
- Flosin.
- Artesine.
Before using analogues, consult your doctor.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Keep the tablets, according to the instructions, in a dry, dark place at a temperature of up to 25 ° C. Their shelf life is 2 years.
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