| name | Doxazosin |
| Classification | Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist |
| Pharmacokinetics | | Absorption | Well absorbed after oral administration; peak plasma concentrations reached within 2-4 hours. | | Distribution | Distributed widely throughout the body, with significant accumulation in tissues. | | Metabolism | Metabolized primarily in the liver by CYP3A4. | | Excretion | Excreted primarily in the urine as metabolites. Significant hepatic impairment can affect clearance. |
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| suggested dosage | | initial | 1 mg orally once daily, titrating up to 8 mg daily in divided doses as needed. | | adult | 1-16 mg daily in one or two divided doses. | | weight consideration | Dosage is not significantly affected by weight within the normal range (70 kg in this case), but monitoring for efficacy and side effects is crucial. Individual responses may vary. |
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| indications | | 1 | Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): used to alleviate symptoms such as urinary hesitancy, frequency, and nocturia. | | 2 | Hypertension: used for the treatment of hypertension in combination with other antihypertensive medications, but less commonly used as a first line therapy. |
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| Safety in pregnancy | | category | C | | recommendation | Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Limited data is available, and no clinical trials in humans have been conducted. |
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| Safety in breastfeeding | | recommendation | Avoid use, as it may appear in breast milk. |
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| side effects | | 1 | Orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing): This is a common side effect, particularly with the first dose or dosage increases. May cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. | | 2 | Headache | | 3 | Nasal congestion | | 4 | Fatigue | | 5 | Dizziness | | 6 | Drowsiness | | 7 | Edema | | 8 | Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., nausea, diarrhea) | | 9 | Asthenia (weakness) | | 10 | Rhinitis (runny nose) |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Hypersensitivity to doxazosin or other related drugs. | | 2 | Severe hepatic impairment | | 3 | Recent history of stroke or myocardial infarction |
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| interactions | | 1 | Other antihypertensives (additive hypotensive effects) | | 2 | CYP3A4 inhibitors (may increase doxazosin levels and risk of side effects) | | 3 | CYP3A4 inducers (may decrease doxazosin levels) | | 4 | Nitrate medications (potentially dangerous interaction) |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | Start with a low dose and titrate slowly to avoid excessive hypotension. Monitor blood pressure closely, particularly after the initial dose or during dosage adjustments. | | 2 | Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can potentiate the blood pressure lowering effects. | | 3 | Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease should be monitored carefully. | | 4 | Patients with pre-existing hypotension should be cautioned. |
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| additional informations | | 1 | Doxazosin is an effective treatment for BPH and hypertension, but its use must be carefully evaluated and monitored by a healthcare provider. Always consult with a doctor before starting any new medication. | | 2 | Sudden discontinuation of doxazosin is not recommended and may cause rebound hypertension |
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