Doxazosin 2 Mg Tablets
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET DOXAZOSIN 1mg, 2mg and 4mg TABLETS
(doxazosin mesilate)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have further questions, please ask your doctor or your pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you personally and you should not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Doxazosin Tablets are and what they are used for.
2. Before you take Doxazosin Tablets.
3. How to take Doxazosin Tablets.
4. Possible side effects.
5. How to store Doxazosin Tablets.
6. Further information.
1. WHAT DOXAZOSIN TABLETS ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR
Doxazosin is one of a group of medicines called alpha blockers. Doxazosin Tablets are used for the treatment of a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is common in older men.
BPH is caused by the prostate gland growing too big and obstructing the flow of urine from the bladder. This leads to some unpleasant symptoms such as weak or interrupted urine flow, a need to pass water more frequently and/or a sudden need to pass water. Doxazosin can relax the muscle of the prostate gland and bladder exit to help relieve these symptoms.
Doxazosin is also used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. This has the effect of helping to reduce the blood pressure.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE DOXAZOSIN TABLETS Do not take Doxazosin Tablets if you:
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to doxazosin, other alpha-blockers (e.g. prazosin or terazosin) or any of the other ingredients in the tablets (these are listed in Section 6, Further Information)
• are breast-feeding and are taking Doxazosin Tablets for high blood pressure
• have low blood pressure and are taking Doxazosin Tablets for benign prostatic hyperplasia
• have a history of a condition known as ‘orthostatic hypotension’ which is a form of low blood pressure that causes you to feel dizzy or light-headed when you stand up from sitting or lying down
• have an enlarged prostate gland with any one of the following: any kind of congestion or blockage in your urinary tract; a long standing infection of the urinary tract; bladder stones
• have overflow incontinence (you do not feel the urge to urinate), or anuria (your body is not producing any urine) with or without kidney problems.
If any of the above apply to you talk to your doctor who will decide what to do.
Take special care with Doxazosin Tablets:
Before you take Doxazosin Tablets you should tell your doctor if you:
• have liver disease
• have heart disease
If you are undergoing eye surgery because of a cataract (cloudiness of the lens) please inform your eye specialist before the operation that you are using or have previously used doxazosin. This is because doxazosin may cause complications during the surgery which can be managed if your specialist is prepared in advance.
Doxazosin treatment might cause you to feel faint or dizzy, particularly when you stand up quickly, so you should avoid situations when this might cause you to fall over or collapse. This is more likely to happen when you are starting treatment or are increasing the dose.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Certain medicines can interfere with the effectiveness of each other. It is particularly important to tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are also on:
• medicines to treat high blood pressure
• phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil and vardenafil for erectile Dysfunction
Some patients, who take alpha-blocker therapy for the treatment of high blood pressure or prostate enlargement, may experience dizziness or light-headedness, which may be caused by low blood pressure upon sitting or standing up quickly. Certain patients have experienced these symptoms when taking drugs for erectile dysfunction (impotence) with alpha-blockers.
In order to reduce the likelihood that these symptoms occur, you should be on a regular daily dose of your alpha-blocker before you start drugs for erectile dysfunction.
It may still be alright for you to take Doxazosin Tablets and your doctor will be able to decide what is suitable for you.
Taking your medicine with food and drink
These tablets are for oral use. Take the tablets with a glass of water. You can take your tablets before or after food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
The safety of using Doxazosin Tablets during pregnancy has not been established. If you are pregnant, likely to become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant you must tell your doctor before taking this medicine.
Do not take Doxazosin Tablets if you are breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Doxazosin may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely, particularly at the beginning of treatment. Doxazosin may make you feel faint or dizzy. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Doxazosin Tablets
These tablets contain lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. how to take doxazosin tablets
Method of Administration
each day.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water before or after a meal Take your tablets at the same time each day.
Dosage
with your take your
Always take Doxazosin Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The label on the carton will tell you how to medicine.
The usual doses for Doxazosin are as follows:
Adults and the elderly: your dose of Doxazosin is to be taken only once daily.
If you have been prescribed Doxazosin Tablets for the first time the normal dose is 1mg daily. After this, your doctor may increase your dose to 2mg or 4mg daily. In certain cases, your dose may be further increased to a maximum of 8mg daily if you are being treated for prostate enlargement or 16mg daily if you are being treated for high blood pressure.
Doxazosin Tablets are not recommended for children.
If you take more Doxazosin Tablets than you should
If you have accidentally taken more than your prescribed dose, contact your nearest casualty department or tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Remember to take the pack and any remaining tablets with you.
If you forget to take your dose of Doxazosin Tablets
It is important that you take your medicine every day. However, if you forget to take one or more doses, wait until the next dose is due and then go on as prescribed. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. possible side effects
Like with all medicines Doxazosin Tablets can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.
If you get any of the following symptoms after taking these tablets, you should stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor immediately:
• heart attack
• weakness of the arms or legs or problems speaking which may be signs of a stroke
• swelling of the face, tongue or throat which may be a result of an allergic reaction to this medicine
Doxazosin Tablets may also cause other serious side effects needing urgent medical attention. If you experience any of the following you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.
• chest pain; angina
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• an increased, decreased or irregular heartbeat
• feeling your heartbeat (palpitations)
• fainting
• yellowing of the skin or the eyes (symptoms of jaundice)
• low number of white blood cells or blood platelets, which may result in bruising or easy bleeding
Very Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) include:
• dizziness
• headache
Common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) include:
• flu-like symptoms
• bronchitis; coughing; respiratory tract infection (nose, throat, lungs); blocked or runny nose caused by inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis)
• low blood pressure
• dizziness on standing; feeling of spinning (vertigo)
• anxiety; nervousness; insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• feeling sick; stomach pains; diarrhoea
• dry mouth; indigestion; heartburn
• urinary tract infection; urinary incontinence (inability to control passing urine)
• feelings of weakness, tiredness and sleepiness
• swelling of the feet, ankles or fingers
• general feeling of being unwell (malaise)
• back pain; painful muscles
• numbness or tingling of the skin (paraesthesia)
Uncommon side effects (affecting up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:
• agitation; depression
• faintness and dizziness, especially on getting up from a sitting or lying position
• tremor (shaking)
• increased appetite; weight increase
• reduced sense of touch or sensation of the hands and feet
• ringing or noise in the ears (tinnitus)
• hot flushes
• nose bleeds
• increased urinary frequency; painful urination; blood in the urine
• constipation; flatulence (wind); being sick; inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis) which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting
• alopecia (hair loss); red or purple patches on the skin; bleeding under the skin
• cough
• joint pain; inflammation of the joints (gout); muscle weakness; muscle cramps; general pain
• failure or inability to achieve an erection (impotence)
• liver enzyme increases which may have an effect on some medical tests
Very rare side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people) include:
• aggravated wheezing
• blurred vision
• a very slow heart rate
• hepatitis (liver inflammation); bile disorder
• gynaecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue in men)
• urticaria (hives)
• disorder in passing urine; needing to pass urine at night; increased volume of urine passed
• painful persistent erection of the penis
Other side effects (the frequency of these side effects is unknown)
• little or no semen ejaculated at sexual climax; cloudy urine following ejaculation
• eye problems may occur during eye surgery for cataract (cloudiness of the lens of the eye). See section “Take special care with Doxazosin Tablets.
• taste disturbances
If any of these side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. how to store doxazosin tablets
Store the tablets in the pack in which they are supplied. There are no special storage instructions. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. If you have any Doxazosin Tablets left after completing your course of treatment, please return them to your pharmacist who will dispose of them safely. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Doxazosin Tablets contain: The active substance is doxazosin mesilate.
Doxazosin 1mg Tablets: Each tablet contains 1.21mg doxazosin mesilate equivalent to 1mg doxazosin.
Doxazosin 2mg Tablets: Each tablet contains 2.42mg doxazosin mesilate equivalent to 2mg doxazosin.
Doxazosin 4mg Tablets: Each tablet contains 4.85mg doxazosin mesilate equivalent to 4mg doxazosin
The other ingredients are lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium starch glycolate.
What Doxazosin Tablets look like and the contents of the pack:
Doxazosin 1mg Tablets are white coloured, round and biconvex.
Doxazosin 2mg Tablets are white coloured, and capsule shaped with a break line on one side. Doxazosin 4mg Tablets are white coloured, capsule shaped biconvex and plain on both sides.
The tablets are supplied in blister packs of 28 and 30 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Your pharmacist will provide you with the required number of tablets as prescribed by your doctor.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer:
The Product Licence holder is Cipla (EU) Ltd, Hillbrow House, Hillbrow Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9NW.
The manufacturer responsible for batch release is
Cipla (EU) Limited, 20 Balderton Street, London W1K 6TL, United Kingdom Cipla Europe NV, Uitbreidingstraat 80, 2600 Antwerp, Belgium.
This leaflet was last revised in 01/2016.