Cardura tablets contain the active ingredient doxazosin, which is a type of drug called an alpha-blocker. (NB. Doxazosin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug.) Doxazosin has two quite different uses. It works by blocking alpha receptors in certain areas of the body.
Alpha receptors are found on the muscle in the walls of blood vessels. When doxazosin blocks these receptors it causes the muscle in the blood vessel to relax and the blood vessel to widen. This lets the blood pass more easily through the blood vessels and hence reduces the pressure in the blood vessels. Doxazosin can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.
Alpha receptors are also found on the muscle in the prostate gland. This gland is found only in men and lies at the top of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside (urethra). The prostate gland often enlarges with advancing age (benign prostatic hyperplasia), pressing on the urethra and obstructing the flow of urine from the bladder. This can cause various urinary symptoms such as difficulty passing urine. By blocking the alpha receptors, doxazosin causes the muscle in the prostate gland to relax. This allows urine to flow freely past the prostate and relieves the urinary symptoms of this condition.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia);
- high blood pressure (hypertension).;
- skin reactions such as rash and itch;
- persistent painful erection of the penis (priapism);
- liver disorders;
- inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) causing a blocked or runny nose;
- increased need to pass urine;
- increased heart rate;
- impotence;
- headache;
- feeling weak or fatigued;
- fainting;
- excessive fluid retention in the body tissues resulting in swelling (oedema);
- dry mouth;
- dizziness;
- disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea constipation nausea vomiting or abdominal pain;
- disturbance in the levels of blood cells in the blood;
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia);
- blurred vision;
- awareness of your heart beat (palpitations);
- agitation or tremor;
- a drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension);
