Cardura (Doxazosin Mesylate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

Pill Identifier Search

February 3, 2012

Cardura

High Blood Pressure »

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called "pre-hypertension", and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

The top number, the systolic blood pressure, corresponds to the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood forward into the arteries. The bottom number, the diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure reflects the lowest pressure to which the arteries are exposed.

An elevation of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure increas...

Read the High Blood Pressure article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
next »

Cardura User Reviews >>

Cardura

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Slideshow Pictures

Take the Salt Quiz!

Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Slideshow Pictures

font size

CARDURA®
(doxazosin mesylate) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

CARDURA® (doxazosin mesylate) is a quinazoline compound that is a selective inhibitor of the alphai subtype of alpha-adrenergic receptors. The chemical name of doxazosin mesylate is l-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-(l,4-benzodioxan-2-ylcarbonyl)piperazine methanesulfonate. The empirical formula for doxazosin mesylate is C₂₃H₂₅N₅O₅ • CH₄O₃S and the molecular weight is 547.6. It has the following structure:

CARDURA®
(doxazosin mesylate) Structural Formula Illustration

CARDURA (doxazosin mesylate) is freely soluble in dimethylsulfoxide, soluble in dimethylformamide, slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol, and water (0.8% at 25 °C), and very slightly soluble in acetone and methylene chloride. CARDURA (doxazosin mesylate) is available as colored tablets for oral use and contains 1 mg (white), 2 mg (yellow), 4 mg (orange) and 8 mg (green) of doxazosin as the free base.

The inactive ingredients for all tablets are: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate and sodium lauryl sulfate. The 2 mg tablet contains D & C yellow 10 and FD & C yellow 6; the 4 mg tablet contains FD & C yellow 6; the 8 mg tablet contains FD & C blue 10 and D & C yellow 10.

What are the possible side effects of doxazosin (Cardura, Cardura XL)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast or pounding heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious side effects may include:

weakness;

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Cardura »

What are the precautions when taking doxazosin mesylate (Cardura)?

Before taking doxazosin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other alpha blockers such as prazosin and terazosin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: prostate cancer, heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina, heart attack in last 6 months), liver disease, kidney disease.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially when you first start taking this drug or whenever your doctor changes your dose. Also, when you first start taking...

Read All Potential Precautions of Cardura »

Last reviewed on RxList: 11/22/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.