Brand Names: Minipress

Generic Name: prazosin (Pronunciation: PRA zoe sin)

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

What is prazosin (Minipress)?

Prazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Prazosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them.

Prazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

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

Prazosin 1 mg-IVA

white, imprinted with Z 4067

Prazosin 1 mg-MYL

green/orange, imprinted with MYLAN 1101

Prazosin 1 mg-TEV

yellow, imprinted with 93 4067

Prazosin 2 mg-IVA

pink, imprinted with Z 4068

Prazosin 2 mg-MYL

dark brown/light brown, imprinted with MYLAN 2302

Prazosin 2 mg-TEV

pink, imprinted with TEVA, 4068

Prazosin 5 mg-IVA

blue, imprinted with Z 4069

Prazosin 5 mg-MYL

blue/brown, imprinted with MYLAN 3205

Prazosin 5 mg-TEV

blue, imprinted with 93 4069

What are the possible side effects of prazosin (Minipress)?

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:

• fast or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• 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;
• weakness, tired feeling, drowsiness;
• headache; or
• nausea.

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 Minipress (prazosin hcl) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about prazosin (Minipress)?

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

Prazosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or whenever your dose is changed. 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.

Prazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using prazosin 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).