Brand Names: Cardura, Cardura XL

Generic Name: doxazosin (Pronunciation: dox AY zo sin)

• What is doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• What are the possible side effects of doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• What is the most important information I should know about doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• How should I take doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cardura XL)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cardura XL)?
• What should I avoid while taking doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• What other drugs will affect doxazosin (Cardura XL)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is doxazosin (Cardura XL)?

Doxazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Doxazosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Doxazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), or to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Doxazosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cardura 1 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with CARDURA, 1 mg

Cardura 2 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with CARDURA, 2 mg

Cardura 4 mg

oblong, orange, imprinted with CARDURA, 4 mg

Cardura 8 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with CARDURA, 8 mg

Doxazosin 1 mg-APO

round, white, imprinted with 093, APO

Doxazosin 1 mg-ETH

oblong, gray, imprinted with 1mg, ETH 266

Doxazosin 1 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M D9

Doxazosin 1 mg-PP

round, white, imprinted with R 642

Doxazosin 1 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with N 590, 1

Doxazosin 2 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with 094, APO

Doxazosin 2 mg-ETH

oblong, yellow, imprinted with 2 mg, ETH 267

Doxazosin 2 mg-MYL

round, pink, imprinted with M D10

Doxazosin 2 mg-PP

oblong, white, imprinted with R 643

Doxazosin 2 mg-TEV

oblong, white, imprinted with N 593, 2

Doxazosin 4 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with APO, 095

Doxazosin 4 mg-ETH

oblong, pink, imprinted with 4 mg, ETH 268

Doxazosin 4 mg-MYL

round, blue, imprinted with M D11

Doxazosin 4 mg-TEV

diamond, white, imprinted with N 596, 4

Doxazosin 8 mg-APO

oblong, white, imprinted with 096, APO

Doxazosin 8 mg-ETH

oblong, blue, imprinted with ETH269, 8 mg

Doxazosin 8 mg-MYL

round, lavender, imprinted with M D12

Doxazosin 8 mg-PP

round, white, imprinted with R 645

Doxazosin 8 mg-TEV

round, white, imprinted with N 598, 8

What are the possible side effects of doxazosin (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 a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;
• trouble breathing;
• 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:

• mild dizziness;
• tired feeling, drowsiness;
• headache;
• nausea; or
• runny nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Cardura XL (doxazosin mesylate extended release tablets) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about doxazosin (Cardura XL)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to doxazosin or similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).

Doxazosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

If you stop taking doxazosin for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.

Doxazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using doxazosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially other blood pressure medications including diuretics (water pills).