Doxazosin

CARDURA

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Pronunciation: dox-AY-zoe-sin (kar-DOOR-a)

Doxazosin ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Doxazosin ballicule

Doxazosin CARDURA mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Doxazosin mascot
**“Carder, Dox A’s or sin”**
Polka dots on pink → α1 blocker → syncope if titrated too quickly (hit the floor)

What it isAlpha-1 antagonist; benign prostatic hyperplasia and resistant hypertension.

Why this oneWorse heart-failure outcomes than chlorthalidone ended its first-line hypertension role; BPH is now the more defensible use.

What limits itFirst-dose orthostatic hypotension — start at night. Nonuroselective blockade causes more hypotension than tamsulosin.

Doxazosin molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Doxazosin

FDA-approved for

hypertension (1990)
BPH (1995)

Off-label

ureteral stone passage
PTSD nightmares

FDA label

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FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Benign prostatic hyperplasia	Adults	1 mg QD	2–8 mg QD	8 mg QD
Hypertension	Adults	1 mg QD	titrate to effect	16 mg QD

Titration BPH: increase at 1–2 week intervals.

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Not recommended in severe (Child-Pugh C); monitor BP/hypotension in mild–moderate (A/B)

Instructions

Monitor blood pressure for ≥6 h after the initial dose and each dose increase.
If discontinued for several days, restart using the initial dosing regimen.

Available strengths

tab 1, 2, 4, 8 mg
ER tab 4, 8 mg

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to quinazolines (e.g., prazosin, terazosin)

Cautions

Postural hypotension with/without syncope, esp. after first dose or dose increase; additive with PDE-5 inhibitors
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome during cataract surgery
Screen for prostate cancer before/during BPH treatment

Adverse reactions

Fatigue
Malaise
Hypotension
Dizziness

Pregnancy Limited data insufficient to assess risk; untreated hypertension carries maternal risk

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Doxazosin (CARDURA)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $/mo	CostPlus
1 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.26	offered
2 mg	tab	30 qd	$1.91	offered
4 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.50	offered
8 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.93	offered

Generic entry2000

NO BOXED WARNINGS

Principal riskFirst-dose orthostatic hypotension

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden1 / 4

Overdose danger2 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk1 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryUnknown / historical label unavailable

Defining liabilityGenerally tolerated at therapeutic doses; clinically important risks are agent-specific and increase with interactions or organ impairment.

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Memory aids: interaction avatars

CYP3A4 substrate

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