Doxazosin is used for:

Treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Doxazosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms.

Do NOT use Doxazosin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient of Doxazosin or to similar medicines (eg, prazosin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Doxazosin :

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have prostate cancer, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or liver disorders

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Doxazosin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.

• Cimetidine or verapamil because side effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness may occur.
• Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, vardenafil) because severe low blood pressure may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if this medicine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Doxazosin :

Use Doxazosin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Doxazosin may be taken with or without food.
• Doxazosin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the very first dose. Take your first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly.
• Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements.
• If you miss a dose of Doxazosin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxazosin.

Important safety information:

• Doxazosin may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Doxazosin. Using Doxazosin alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur if you stand up too fast from lying or sitting. If this occurs, get up slowly and avoid sudden posture changes. These effects will more likely occur while you are taking the first few doses or if you have increased your dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking Doxazosin. They can also occur if you stop taking the medicine and restart treatment.
• Before drinking alcohol, discuss it with your doctor. Alcohol may worsen dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Be careful during exercise, hot weather, and if you must stand for long periods of time.
• Avoid situations where fainting could cause injury. If fainting occurs, lie down and stop taking this medication until you talk with your doctor.
• Although rare, it is possible for men to suffer from a painful penis erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation. If this occurs, you should seek immediate medical attention to avoid possible permanent impotence.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or rundown for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal." Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms.
• LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, may be performed to monitor your progress and to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Doxazosin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Doxazosin during pregnancy. It is unknown if Doxazosin is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Doxazosin , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Doxazosin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; flu-like symptoms; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; pain; stomach pain; swelling; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; chest pain; fainting; painful and prolonged penile erection; pounding in the chest; puffiness in hands or feet; swelling of eyelids.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.