Doxazosin

Effects of Doxazosin

Several studies have looked at how well doxazosin treats enlarged prostate symptoms and high blood pressure.
 
Symptoms of BPH
In studies of doxazosin for BPH treatment, men experienced relief from their symptoms within one week of starting the drug. The men who took it in these studies also had an improvement in their rate of urine flow.
 
High Blood Pressure
When doxazosin was studied as a treatment for high blood pressure, people who took it lowered their blood pressure more than people who did not. This effect was seen as soon as one day after taking the drug.
 
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies of people taking doxazosin, systolic blood pressure decreased 9 to 10 mmHg (millimeters of mercury), on average, and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 5 to 8 mmHg, on average. By lowering blood pressure, this medication can decrease the risks that often accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). However, doxazosin is not a cure for high blood pressure.
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take doxazosin include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth once daily.
  • Doxazosin should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
  • You can take it with or without food. 
  • For doxazosin to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
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