Cardura 4 mg

Cardura (doxazosin) belongs to a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Cardura relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.  Doxazosin is an oral drug used for treating high blood pressure and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland). It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 adrenergic blockers.
Cardura prevents norepinephrine that is released by nerves from binding to alpha-1 receptors on smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels and in the prostate and bladder. By blocking the effect of norepinephrine, doxazosin relaxes the smooth muscle. Relaxation of the smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels causes them to enlarge (dilate) and thereby reduces blood pressure. Relaxation of smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder improves the flow of urine and reduces the pain and discomfort characteristic of BPH.

Important information about Cardura
You should not use Cardura if you are allergic to doxazosin or similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin). Cardura may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Cardura can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using Cardura. Do not stop using this medicine before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
If you stop taking Cardura for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially other blood pressure medications including diuretics (water pills).