What are alpha-1 blockers used for?
The alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (also called alpha-blockers) are a family of agents that bind to and inhibit type 1 alpha-adrenergic receptors and thus inhibit smooth muscle contraction. Their major uses are for hypertension and for symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy.
How do alpha-1 adrenergic blockers work?
Alpha-1 blocker lowers the blood pressure by blocking alpha-1 receptors so norepinephrine cannot bind the receptor, causing the blood vessels to dilate. Without the resistance in the blood vessels the blood runs more freely.
Can you use tamsulosin and doxazosin together?
Using doxazosin together with tamsulosin is not recommended. Combining these medications may cause blood pressure to fall excessively and heart rate to increase, especially when you rise from a sitting or lying position.
Which is better doxazosin or tamsulosin?
Doxazosin GITS and tamsulosin were similarly effective in the treatment of symptomatic BPH after 12 weeks of treatment and both treatments were well tolerated. Improvement in symptoms was significantly greater at 4 weeks in patients receiving doxazosin GITS vs. those receiving tamsulosin.
Why are alpha-blockers not used in hypertension?
4 While this risk is real, it is small, and the main reason that alpha blockers are not used as a first-choice drug is because, unlike other high blood pressure medicines, they have not been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Which alpha blocker is best for hypertension?
Because alpha blockers also relax other muscles throughout the body, these medications also can help improve urine flow in older men with prostate problems….Examples of alpha blockers used to treat high blood pressure include:
- Doxazosin (Cardura)
- Prazosin (Minipress)
- Terazosin.
Is doxazosin and flomax the same?
Are Flomax and Cardura the Same Thing? Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) and Cardura (doxazosin) are alpha-blockers used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland).
What is doxazosin used to treat?
Why is this medication prescribed? Doxazosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency.
What are the most common severe side effects of doxazosin?
Severe side effects may include low blood pressure with standing, an irregular heart beat, and priapism. It is a α 1 -selective adrenergic blocker in the quinazoline class of compounds. Doxazosin was patented in 1977 and came into medical use in 1988. It is available as a generic medication.
How does doxazosin treat benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Doxazosin is in a class of medications called alpha-blockers. It relieves the symptoms of BPH by relaxing the muscles of the bladder and prostate. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.
What is doxazosin (Cardura)?
Doxazosin, sold under the brand names Cardura among others, is a medication used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) and hypertension (high blood pressure). For high blood pressure, it is a less preferred option.