Read this leaflet:

  * before you start taking doxazosin.
  * each time you get a new prescription.



You and your doctor should discuss this treatment and your (BPH) symptoms before you start taking doxazosin and at your regular checkups. This leaflet does NOT take the place of discussions with your doctor.

Doxazosin is used to treat both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and high blood pressure (hypertension). This leaflet describes doxazosin as treatment for BPH (although you may be taking doxazosin for both your BPH and high blood pressure).

WHAT IS BPH: BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland. This gland surrounds the tube that drains the urine from the bladder. The symptoms of BPH can be caused by a tensing of the enlarged muscle in the prostate gland which blocks the passage of urine. This can lead to such symptoms as:

  * a weak or start-and-stop stream when urinating
  * a feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied after urination
  * a delay or difficulty in the beginning of urination
  * a need to urinate often during the day and especially at night
  * a feeling that you must urinate immediately.



TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR BPH: The four main treatment options for BPH are:

  * If you are not bothered by your symptoms, you and your doctor may decide on a program of "watchful waiting". It is not an active treatment like taking medication or surgery but involves having regular checkups to see if your condition is getting worse or causing problems.
  * Treatment with doxazosin or other similar drugs. Doxazosin is the medication your doctor has prescribed for you. See "What Doxazosin Does", below.
  * Treatment with the medication class of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride). It can cause the prostate to shrink. It may take 6 months or more for the full benefit of finasteride to be seen.
  * Various surgical procedures. Your doctor can describe these procedures to you. The best procedure for you depends on your BPH symptoms and medical condition.



WHAT DOXAZOSIN DOES: Doxazosin works on a specific type of muscle found in the prostate, causing it to relax. This in turn decreases the pressure within the prostate, thus improving the flow of urine and your symptoms.

  * Doxazosin helps relieve the symptoms of BPH (weak stream, start-and-stop stream, a feeling that your bladder is not completely empty, delay in beginning of urination, need to urinate often during the day and especially at night, and feeling that you must urinate immediately). It does not change the size of the prostate. The prostate may continue to grow; however a large prostate is not necessarily related to more symptoms or to worse symptoms. Doxazosin can decrease your symptoms and improve urinary flow, without decreasing the size of the prostate.
  * If doxazosin is helping you, you should notice an affect within 1 to 2 weeks after you start your medication. Doxazosin has been studied in over 900 patients for up to 2 years and the drug has been shown to continue to work during long-term treatment. Even though you take doxazosin and it may help you, doxazosin may not prevent the need for surgery in the future.
  * Doxazosin does not affect PSA levels. PSA is the abbreviation for Prostate Specific Antigen. Your doctor may have done a blood test called PSA. You may want to ask your doctor more about this if you have had a PSA test done.



OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS:

  * You should see an improvement of your symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks. In addition to your other regular checkups you will need to continue seeing your doctor regularly to check your progress regarding your BPH and to monitor your blood pressure.
  * Doxazosin Mesylate is not a treatment for prostate cancer. Your doctor has prescribed doxazosin for your BPH and not for prostate cancer; however, a man can have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time. Doctors usually recommend that men be checked for prostate cancer once a year when they turn 50 (or 40 if a family member has had prostate cancer). A higher incidence of prostate cancer has been noted in men of African-American descent. These checks should continue even if you are taking doxazosin.



HOW TO TAKE DOXAZOSIN AND WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW WHILE TAKING DOXAZOSIN FOR BPH: Doxazosin Can Cause a Sudden Drop in Blood Pressure After the VERY FIRST DOSE. You may feel dizzy, faint or "light-headed", especially after you stand up from a lying or sitting position. This is more likely to occur after you've taken the first few doses or if you increase your dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking the drug. It can also occur if you stop taking the drug and then restart treatment. If you feel very dizzy, faint or "light-headed" you should contact your doctor. Your doctor will discuss with you how often you need to visit and how often your blood pressure should be checked.

Your blood pressure should be checked when you start taking doxazosin even if you do not have high blood pressure (hypertension). Your doctor will discuss with you the details of how blood pressure is measured.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Whatever equipment is used, it is usual for your blood pressure to be measured in the following way: measure your blood pressure after lying quietly on your back for five minutes. Then, after standing for two minutes measure your blood pressure again. Your doctor will discuss with you what other times during the day your blood pressure should be taken, such as two to six hours after a dose, before bedtime or after waking up in the morning. Note that moderate to high-intensity exercise can, over a period of time, lower your average blood pressure.

You can take doxazosin either in the morning or at bedtime and it will be equally effective. If you take doxazosin at bedtime but need to get up from bed to go to the bathroom, get up slowly and cautiously until you are sure how the medication affects you. It is important to get up slowly from a chair or bed at any time until you learn how you react to doxazosin. You should not drive or do any hazardous tasks until you are used to the effects of medication. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit or lie down until you feel better.

  * You will start with a 1 mg dose of doxazosin once daily. Then the once daily dose will be increased as your body gets used to the effects of the medication. Follow your doctor's instructions about how to take doxazosin. You must take it every day at the dose prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you don't take it for a few days for some reason; you may then need to restart the medication at a 1 mg dose. Increase your dose gradually and again be cautious about possible dizziness. Do not share doxazosin with anyone else; it was prescribed only for you.
  * Other side effects you could have while taking doxazosin, in addition to lowering of the blood pressure, include dizziness, fatigue (tiredness), swelling of the feet and shortness of breath. Most side effects are mild. However, you should discuss any unexpected effects you notice with your doctor.
  * WARNING: Extremely rarely, doxazosin and similar medications have caused painful erection of the penis, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation. This condition is serious, and if untreated it can be followed by permanent inability to have an erection. If you have a prolonged abnormal erection, call your doctor or go to an emergency room as soon as possible.
  * Keep doxazosin and all medicines out of the reach of children.



FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DOXAZOSIN AND BPH TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR, NURSE, PHARMACIST OR OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

Apotex, Indianapolis, IN

This Product was Repackaged By:

State of Florida DOH Central Pharmacy   
104-2 Hamilton Park Drive  
Tallahassee, FL 32304  
United States