What is Cardura?
Cardura is a brand name for the drug doxazosin. Doxazosin belongs to a group of drugs called alpha blockers. Alpha blockers work by relaxing blood vessels and muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Cardura is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland. Symptoms of BPH include difficulty urinating, a weak stream of urine, dribbling after urination, and a feeling that you need to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
Cardura may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Health Benefits
Cardura is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland. Symptoms of BPH include difficulty urinating, a weak stream of urine, dribbling after urination, and a feeling that you need to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
Cardura may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Risks and Side Effects
Common side effects of Cardura include:
dizziness;
lightheadedness;
tiredness;
back pain; or
upset stomach.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Cardura can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up from a sitting or lying position. This may cause you to feel dizzy or faint. To avoid this problem, take Cardura on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal.
Cardura may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Dosages
The usual starting dose of Cardura is 4 mg once daily. Your doctor may increase your dose to 8 mg once daily if your blood pressure is not controlled.
Cardura can be taken with or without food.
To take Cardura:
-Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
-Do not take more than 8 milligrams in a day.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Interactions
Cardura may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Mechanism of Action
Cardura works by relaxing blood vessels and muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Cardura is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland. Symptoms of BPH include difficulty urinating, a weak stream of urine, dribbling after urination, and a feeling that you need to urinate even when your bladder is empty.
Cardura may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Pharmacokinetics
Cardura is absorbed rapidly and completely after oral administration. The mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) is reached within 1-2 hours (Tmax). Cardura is 96% bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin.
Cardura has a volume of distribution of approximately 17 L/kg and is predominantly distributed in the extracellular fluid compartment.
Cardura is metabolized by CYP3A4 and excreted primarily in the feces via biliary elimination. Less than 10% of the dose is recovered in the urine as unchanged drug or metabolites.
The terminal elimination half-life of Cardura ranges from 20 to 26 hours.
Alternatives to Cardura
Cardura is not the only medication used to treat BPH. Other medications include:
– alpha blockers such as: alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and tamsulosin (Flomax)
– 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as: finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart)
– other medication such as: a combination of an alpha blocker and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.
