Cardura XL (Doxazosin Mesylate Extended Release Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

Cardura XL

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia »

What is the prostate gland?

The prostate is a small organ about the size of a walnut. It lies below the bladder (where urine is stored) and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). The prostate makes a fluid that helps to nourish sperm as part of the semen (ejaculatory fluid).

Prostate problems are common in men 50 and older. Most can be treated successfully without harming sexual function. A urologist is a specialist in diseases of the urinary system, including diagnosing and treating problems of the prostate gland.

How does the doctor detect prostate enlargement?

A doctor usually can detect an enlarged prostate by rectal exam. The doctor also may examine the urethra, prostate, and bladder using a cytoscope, an instrument that is inserted through the penis.

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is nonmalignant...

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Cardura XL User Reviews >>

Cardura XL

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CARDURA® XL
(doxazosin mesylate) Extended Release Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

CARDURA® XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) contains doxazosin mesylate which is a quinazoline compound with the chemical name 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-(1,4benzodioxan-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 XL (doxazosin mesylate) Structural Formula Illustration

CARDURA XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) is an extended release tablet for oral use and is designed to deliver 4 or 8 mg of doxazosin as the free base. Each 4 and 8 mg tablet contains 5.1 and 10.2 mg doxazosin mesylate (includes a 5% overage) to provide 4 and 8 mg doxazosin as a free base, respectively. The inactive ingredients for CARDURA XL are: polyethylene oxide, sodium chloride, hypromellose, red ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, cellulose acetate, Macrogol®, pharmaceutical glaze, and black iron oxide.

CARDURA XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) System Components and Performance

CARDURA XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) is similar in appearance to a conventional tablet. It consists, however, of an osmotically active drug core surrounded by a semipermeable membrane. The core itself is divided into two layers: an “active” layer containing the drug, and a “push” layer containing pharmacologically inert (but osmotically active) components. The membrane surrounding the tablet is permeable to water but not to drug or osmotic excipients. As water from the gastrointestinal tract enters the tablet, pressure increases in the osmotic layer and “pushes” against the drug layer, resulting in the release of drug through a small, laser-drilled orifice in the membrane on the drug side of the tablet.

CARDURA XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) utilizes GITS (Gastrointestinal Therapeutic System) which is designed to provide a controlled rate of delivery of doxazosin into the gastrointestinal lumen which is independent of pH or gastrointestinal (GI) motility. The function of CARDURA XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) depends upon the existence of an osmotic gradient between the contents of the bi-layer core and fluid in the GI tract. Drug delivery is essentially constant as long as the osmotic gradient remains constant, and then gradually falls to zero. The biologically inert components of the tablet remain intact during GI transit and are eliminated in the feces as an insoluble shell.

What are the precautions when taking doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets (Cardura XL)?

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, stomach/intestine problems (e.g., short bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, narrowing gut, slow gut movement), heart disease (e.g., congestive heart failure, angina, heart attack in last 6 months), liver disease.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially when you first...

Read All Potential Precautions of Cardura XL »

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/1/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.