Doxazosin (generic Cardura) is a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It can also be used to help reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH).

The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly half of adults in the United States have high blood pressure (hypertension). Blood pressure measures the force with which blood pushes against the walls of your arteries. If it stays high for too long without treatment, high blood pressure can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. This damage could result in a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems.

An enlarged prostate is common for men as they get older. While some men experience no symptoms of the natural growth of their prostate, many men do experience symptoms. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH) include difficulty peeing (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), pain while peeing, and the feeling of needing to pee frequently.

Talk to your doctor about whether doxazosin may be right for you.

Doxazosin is in the class of drugs called alpha-blockers. These work by relaxing the muscles of your blood vessels, which helps blood move through more easily.

For an enlarged prostate, doxazosin relaxes the muscle around the bladder and prostate which help you pee more easily.

While adverse reactions to doxazosin are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including:

• Dizziness
  
• Lightheadedness
  
• Fatigue
  
• Headaches
  
• Swelling in the face, hands and feet
  
• Difficulty breathing
  
• Weakness
  
  

If any of the side effects above are severe or do not go away, you should contact your doctor.

Rare, more serious side effects may occur. If you experience any symptoms listed below, contact your doctor right away.

• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
  
• chest pain
  
• shortness of breath
  
• hives
  
• painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
  
  

Because doxazosin can cause drowsiness and dizziness, especially when you first start taking it, it is advised to avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the drug may affect you.

This is not a complete list of Doxazosin side effects. For more information on advice effects associated with Doxazosin, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Doxazosin is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not doxazosin is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.