Cardura
Generic Name:
Doxazosin mesylate
Brand Names:
Cardura, Cardura XL
Cardura Description:
Cardura is the brand name of doxazosin mesylate, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) as well as non-cancerous benign enlargements of the prostate. It is distributed by Roerig, a division of Pfizer. Cardura 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 mesylate as the free base. Cardura also comes in an extended release form called Cardura XL.
Cardura Uses:
There are two main conditions for which Cardura provides treatment. Cardura can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the urinary outflow is obstructed and irritated by the prostate gland. As the prostate gland enlarges, certain muscles in the gland may become tight and get in the way of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. Cardura improves the symptoms of BPH and urinary flow rate in about 70 percent of patients by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and opening the bladder.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the other condition treated by Cardura. Cardura may be used alone or in combination with diuretics, beta blockers (beta-adrenergic blocking agents), calcium channel blockers, or ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If this workload continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attack. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled. Cardura works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily, thus lowering blood pressure.
Cardura Interactions:
Using Cardura with the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects:
- Acebutolol
- Alprenolol
- Atenolol
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Dilevalol
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Mepindolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Nifedipine
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Propranolol
- Sildenafil
- Sotalol
- Tadalafil
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Timolol
- Vardenafil
Cardura Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendation:
Each dosage of Cardura must be individualized and will typically begin with a 1 mg daily dosage, taken in the morning or evening for patients with both hypertension and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Depending on the patient’s needs, those with BPH may have an increased dosage of 2 mg per day, with possible subsequent doses of 4 mg and 8 mg once daily. The maximum dosage is 8 mg per day.
Patients with hypertension should take 1 to 16 mg per day based on their needs, with a maximum dosage of 16 mg per day. Increases in dose beyond 4 mg may increase the risk of certain side effects including dizziness, vertigo, temporary loss of consciousness (syncope), or a sudden drop in blood pressure that causes a rush feeling in the head (postural hypotension).
It is important to follow doctor’s orders on dosage. There may be certain circumstances in which the dosage may need to be adjusted.
Missing a Dose:
Do not take a double dose of Cardura to regain your regular dosing schedule. Instead, take the missed dose immediately or if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule.
Overdosing:
There have not been many instances of overdoses with Cardura. In cases of overdose, hospital care led to a complete recovery. The most likely signs of a Cardura overdose would be abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension), for which the usual treatment would be an IV infusion of fluid.
Cardura FDA Approval:
November 2, 1990
Cardura Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There are currently no recalls or Black Box warnings for Cardura.
Other Warnings:
Syncope and "First-dose" Effect
Cardura, like other beta-blocker agents, can cause marked low blood pressure (hypotension), especially when the patient is in an upright position, with complete or partial loss of consciousness and/or awareness (syncope) and other postural symptoms such as dizziness. These effects are most common with the first dose of Cardura but can also occur when there is a dosage increase, or if therapy is interrupted for more than a few days.
It is important to begin treatment with Cardura with the advised 1-mg dose. Dosage should then be adjusted slowly following evaluations by a doctor, with increases in dose made every two weeks until the recommended dose is reached. Additional antihypertensive agents should be added with caution. Patients being treated with Cardura should be cautioned to avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur, during both the day and night.
Sources:
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July 30, 2010, 2:23 pm
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July 30, 2010, 2:13 pm
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July 29, 2010, 12:33 pm
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July 28, 2010, 3:58 pm
