Prazosin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Prazosin?

What is prazosin for?

Prazosin is a drug used with or without other drugs to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure will help prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

Prazosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha blockers. It works to relax and dilate blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This medication may also be used to treat certain circulatory disorders (Raynaud's phenomenon). Prazosin can also be used to treat urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or to help your body remove or get rid of kidney stones through urination.

How is prazosin used?

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually two or three times a day or as directed by your doctor. If the stomach feels like it is resisting, take the medicine with food or milk. Dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy.

Prazosin can sometimes cause sudden fainting after the first dose and when your dose starts to increase. To reduce the risk of fainting, your doctor will give you the smallest dose for the first dose. You must take this first dose at bedtime. This will reduce the chance of fainting. Your dose may be increased gradually. Take your new first dose at bedtime when the dose is increased unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Use this drug regularly to get maximum benefits. You need to remember, use Praozin at the same time every day. If you are taking this medicine for high blood pressure it is important to continue using this medicine even if you feel your condition is getting better. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. It may take up to several weeks before you feel the properties of this medicine.

Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions can get worse when the consumption of this drug is suddenly stopped. You may need to decrease the dose gradually.

Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (such as regularly increasing blood pressure).

How is prazosin stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Prazosin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of prazosin for adults?

Normal Dosage for Adults with Congestive Renal Failure

Initial dose: 1 mg once orally 2-3 times a day.

Maintenance dose: 6-15 mg daily given divided into several doses

Normal Dosage for Adults with Hypertension

Initial dose: 1 mg once taken 2-3 times a day.

Maintenance dose: 6-15 mg daily given divided into several doses.

Normal Dosage for Adults with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

initial dose: 1 mg once orally 2-3 times a day.

Maintenance dose: 6-15 mg daily given divided into several doses.

What is the dose of prazosin for children?

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (less than 18 years) have not been determined.

In what dosage is prazosin available?

Capsules: 1 mg; 2 mg; 5 mg

Prazosin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to prazosin?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have serious side effects such as:

• fast or pounding heartbeat or palpitations
• feeling like you might pass out
• difficulty breathing
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet or
• painful penile erection that lasts 4 hours or more.
• Less serious side effects may include:
• lightheadedness
• Weakness
• feeling tired, sleepy
• headache
• nausea

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Prazosin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using prazosin?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully

Children

The studies conducted to date have not demonstrated a specific problem regarding the use of Prazosin that would limit its use in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been confirmed in children younger than 4 years of age.

Elderly

There is not sufficient information regarding the consumption of Prazosin in the elderly.

Is prazosin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

There are not sufficient studies in women to find out the risk to the baby when the mother takes this drug during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and potential risks before taking this medication during breastfeeding.

Prazosin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with prazosin?

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking

• Amifampridine

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them,

• Cobicistat
• Tadalafil
• Topotecan

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acebutolol
• Alprenolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bevantolol
• Bisoprolol
• Bucindolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Dilevalol
• Esmolol
• Labetolol
• Levobunolol
• Mepindolol
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Dadolol
• Nebivolol
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Propranolol
• Sildenafil
• Sotalol
• Talinolol
• Tertatolol
• Timolol
• Vardenafil

Can food or alcohol interact with prazosin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with prazosin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• angina (chest pain)
• heart disease, severe
• postural hypotension (low blood pressure) - Prazosin might make the condition worse
• Cataract surgery (eye problems) called intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in patients who were taking or who had recently taken this medicine when they had cataract surgery. You should tell your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) before your surgery if you are using prazosin
• kidney disease - can increase the effects of kidney disease because the removal of the drug from the body is slower.

Prazosin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include:

• sleepy
• decreased reflex
• dizzy
• light
• passed out

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.