Cardura XL (doxazosin)

How does it work?

Cardura XL modified release tablets contain the active ingredient doxazosin, which is a type of medicine called an alpha-blocker. (NB. Doxazosin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Doxazosin has two quite different uses. It works by blocking alpha receptors in certain areas of the body.

Alpha receptors are found on the muscle in the walls of blood vessels. When doxazosin blocks these receptors it causes the muscle in the blood vessel to relax and the blood vessel to widen. This lets the blood pass more easily through the blood vessels and hence reduces the pressure in the blood vessels. Doxazosin can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.

Alpha receptors are also found on the muscle in the prostate gland. This gland is found only in men and lies at the top of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside (urethra). The prostate gland often enlarges with advancing age (benign prostatic hyperplasia), pressing on the urethra and obstructing the flow of urine from the bladder. This can cause various urinary symptoms such as difficulty passing urine. By blocking the alpha receptors, doxazosin causes the muscle in the prostate gland to relax. This allows urine to flow freely past the prostate and relieves the urinary symptoms of this condition.

Cardura XL tablets are modified release tablets. They are designed to release the doxazosin slowly, thus producing a steady blood level of the medicine throughout the day. The tablets must be swallowed whole with a drink and not broken, crushed or chewed, as this would damage the modified release action.

What is it used for?

Enlarged prostate gland .

High blood pressure .

Warning!

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start taking the medicine. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady and may rarely cause fainting. To avoid this, take care when moving from lying down to sitting or standing - try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

This medicine may cause fatigue and dizziness. You should take care when performing potentially hazardous activites, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you and are sure you can perform such activities safely.

Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine, and this may cause dizziness in some people.

If you are scheduled to have eye surgery for cataracts it is important to let your eye specialist know if you are or have been taking this medicine. This is because this type of medicine may make your pupil dilate poorly and the iris (the coloured circular part of the eye) become floppy during the procedure. The specialist needs to know if you have been taking this medicine so they can take appropriate precautions with the medicines and techniques they use during the surgery. You may be asked to stop taking this medicine for a period of time before cataract surgery. Check with your doctor.

Cardura XL tablets are designed to release the medicine from the tablet slowly throughout the day. To achieve this the tablet has a specially designed shell that is not absorbed by the body and is excreted in the faeces. You may sometimes notice the tablet shell in your stools. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Use with caution in

Elderly people.

Decreased liver function.

Heart failure.

Not to be used in

Allergy to related medicines (quinazolines), eg prazosin, terazosin.

Breastfeeding.

People with a history of obstruction of the foodpipe (oesophagus), stomach or intestines, or any narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract.

This medicine is not recommended for people who have ever fainted after passing urine (micturition syncope), or who suffer from drops in blood pressure that cause dizziness when moving from lying or sitting to standing (postural hypotension).

The safety and efficacy of this medicine for use in children have not been established. It is not recommended for children.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any potential risks to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used by women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

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