Doxazosin is a medication that treats high blood pressure (hypertension), which belongs to a class of medications called alpha blockers. Doxazosin comes in tablet form and is only available on prescription. Brand names of doxazosin include Raporsin, Slocinx, and Cardura.

What is doxazosin used for?

Doxazosin is used to treat high blood pressure. It can also be used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

What do doxazosin tablets look like?

Doxazosin looks different depending on the dose. The tablets come in four different strengths, which are 1mg, 2mg, 4mg, or 8mg. While each strength is white in colour, there are differences between how each tablet looks. This applies to the generic doxazosin tablets only, and if you buy a different brand, your tablets may look different.

Doxazosin tablets work by relaxing your blood vessels. This allows blood to pass through more easily, lowering your blood pressure as a result.

How long does it take for doxazosin to lower blood pressure?

Blood levels of doxazosin reach a peak within 2 to 3 hours after taking an oral dose. The blood pressure lowering effect happens within 1 to 6 hours of a dose of doxazosin.

How long does doxazosin stay in your system?

If you stop taking doxazosin, it will take between 4 and 5 days for the medicine to be out of your body completely.

You should take your doxazosin tablets with a glass of water and make sure not to chew them. You can take the tablets with or without food. If you take immediate release tablets, they may have a score line that helps you break the tablet. This will make it easier for you to swallow. Make sure you look at your medicine information leaflet first to check whether you can do this.

Best time to take doxazosin

If you have been prescribed doxazosin tablets, it is best to get into a routine and take the tablets at the same time each day. This is so you do not forget a dose. You can take doxazosin in the morning or at night.

What should I do if I miss a tablet?

If you forget to take a dose of doxazosin, it’s best to skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for the one you have forgotten. To help remind you, it may be wise to set an alarm. If you are struggling to remember to take your tablets, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice as it is important that you take the medication regularly in order for it to work.

The dose of doxazosin can vary. This will depend on why you need doxazosin tablets and the kind of tablet you are taking.

The normal dose for high blood pressure immediate release is 2mg to 4mg, and most patients will respond to that dose. In some cases, it may be increased to 8mg, or to a maximum of 16mg, taken once each day. The normal dose for prolonged release is 4mg or 8mg, taken once each day. You may need to take more than 1 tablet to make up your dose. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you on how many tablets to take per day.

Initially, your doctor will begin you on a lower dose. If you are taking the immediate release tablets, you will normally start on 1mg. Over time, your dose will gradually increase until your condition is under control.

If you are taking prolonged release tablets, you will normally start on 4mg. This could be increased to 8mg over time.

You can have doxazosin prescribed by your GP in person or you can buy the tablets online. You can get doxazosin online through trusted sellers like Superdrug Online Doctor, but it must always be prescribed by a doctor. The process is simple, quick, and discreet:

1. Fill in a brief questionnaire about your general health and symptoms.
2. Select your chosen treatment and pay.
3. One of our doctors will review your order and confirm whether the treatment is suitable.
4. Your tablets will be sent out to you either the following day, or standard delivery. You can decide to have your tablets delivered directly to your door, or to a Superdrug pharmacy for collection.
5. If you have any questions, you can talk to one of our doctors via your account.

How much does doxazosin cost?

You can get a 3 month supply (84 tablets) of doxazosin from Superdrug Online Doctor from £19, or a 6 month supply (168 tablets) from £25.

Can I get doxazosin over the counter?

No, doxazosin is only available on prescription. You cannot get it over the counter from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Like with any medicine, doxazosin can cause side effects. While many people who take doxazosin will not get side effects, it is still good to know what to look out for. Most side effects tend to improve as your body gets used to the tablets, but if you are worried, you should speak to your doctor. Common side effects of doxazosin include:

• headaches
• feeling dizzy, sleepy, or everything is spinning around you (vertigo)
• swollen ankles, feet, or fingers
• urinary tract infection (UTI) – this may include needing to pee suddenly or more often than normal, or a pain or burning sensation when peeing
• being or feeling sick (vomiting or nausea)
• low blood pressure

There are some serious side effects that you may get when taking doxazosin tablets. You must tell your doctor right away if you get:

• chest pain or other signs of a heart attack
• an irregular heartbeat
• shortness of breath
• weak legs or arms
• problems speaking
• yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellow (jaundice)
• painful erection that lasts for over 4 hours

In rare instances, doxazosin may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If you notice swelling of the throat, tongue, or face, you must stop taking the tablets straight away and visit A&E. Do not delay in seeking treatment.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently taking, have recently taken, or plan to take other medicines while using doxazosin. This is because some medicines may interact with doxazosin. Medicines that may interact with doxazosin include:

• medicines for erectile dysfunction (like tadalafil, sildenafil, or vardenafil)
• other medicines for high blood pressure
• ketoconazole (normally used for fungal infections)
• medicines that can lower your blood pressure (like antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and medicines for Parkinson’s disease such as levodopa)
• medicines that are used to treat HIV (e.g. indinavir, ritonavir and others)

To make sure that doxazosin is right for you, let your doctor know if you:

• have ever had a previous allergic reaction to doxazosin, or similar medicines like terazosin, or prazosin
• are breastfeeding or pregnant
• have orthostatic hypotension (a kind of low blood pressure that can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy when standing up)
• have low blood pressure and an enlarged prostate gland
• are due to have cataract surgery
• or if you have any other medical conditions

Doxazosin and Viagra

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Viagra (sildenafil) together with doxazosin. This is because if you combine these medications, it may lower your blood pressure, and increase the risk of fainting, dizziness, headaches, lightheadedness, and nasal congestion. If you get these symptoms and they do not go away or become troublesome, let your doctor know.

Doxazosin and ibuprofen

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen may increase your blood pressure when taking doxazosin tablets. It is best to keep them to a minimum.

What painkillers can I take with doxazosin?

You can take painkillers like codeine or paracetamol safely with doxazosin tablets.

Doxazosin and alcohol

If you drink alcohol while taking doxazosin, this can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of the medicine. This can cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy. It is advised not to drink alcohol during the first few days of taking the tablets, or if your dose has been increased. Wait until you see how the tablets affect you before you do, if you are planning to do so.

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend taking 1 or more other medicines.

This will help to keep it under control. If alpha blockers like doxazosin do not work in lowering your blood pressure, other medicines may help, or a combination, as prescribed by your doctor.

Common blood pressure medicines include:

1. ACE inhibitors (like perindopril, lisinopril, and enalapril)
2. Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs) (like valsartan, candesartan, and losartan)
3. Calcium channel blockers (like felodipine, amlodipine, and nifedipine)
4. Diuretics (like Bendroflumethiazide, and indapamide)
5. Beta blockers (like bisoprolol, and atenolol)
6. Other diuretics (like spironolactone, and amiloride)

The medicine your doctor or pharmacist prescribes will depend on several factors. These include your age, ethnicity, other medical problems, and how high your blood pressure is.

If you are taking doxazosin to treat high blood pressure, you may benefit from making some simple lifestyle changes.

These include:

• exercising regularly
• stopping smoking
• cutting down on alcohol
• eating healthy
• dealing with stress