A common health problem that men face as they age is difficulty urinating. You may have frequent urges to urinate, but they don't come out completely, you may have a weak urine stream, or you may have dribbled urine even after you've finished urinating. If you have these symptoms, your doctor may have prescribed a medication called Doxazosin. So today, let's talk about this medication in simple terms, what it does, and what you should be aware of when using it.
What exactly is Doxazosin?
Simply put, doxazosin is a medication that is used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland (medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) in men.
Imagine, the prostate gland is located around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from our bladder to the outside. As we age, this gland gradually grows larger. Then the urethra starts to get blocked. It's like squeezing a water pipe. That's why it's difficult to urinate.
Doxazosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha blockers. This medicine works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. This allows the urethra to widen slightly, allowing urine to flow more easily.
The most important thing is that this medicine does not shrink the prostate gland or stop it from growing. It only controls the symptoms and gives you relief.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Doxazosin, it is important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your situation | Why is notification important? |
|---|---|
| If you are about to have eye surgery (especially cataract removal) | This medication can cause a complication called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) during eye surgery. Therefore, it is essential that the eye doctor is aware of this. |
| If you have liver disease | Our body breaks down (metabolizes) medications mainly through the liver. If the liver is weak, more medication can accumulate in the body and increase side effects. |
| If you have low blood pressure | Doxazosin can further lower blood pressure, which can increase the risk of dizziness and fainting. |
| If you have prostate cancer | The symptoms of prostate enlargement and cancer are sometimes similar. It is important to make sure that you do not have cancer before starting this medication. |
| If you have a stomach or intestinal problem | This is especially important for extended-release pills. If there is an obstruction in the digestive tract, the medicine may not work properly. |
| If you have allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | If you have an allergy to doxazosin or other similar medications, you should tell your doctor about it. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
The most important thing is to take the medicine exactly as the doctor tells you. Usually, this medicine is taken once a day.
- Swallow the pill whole: This is the most important thing. This type of pill is designed to be absorbed by the body over time (extended-release). So do not break, crush, or chew the pill. Doing so can release the medicine into the body too quickly, which can increase side effects.
- Take with food: It is usually said to take this pill with breakfast.
- Take it at the same time every day: This helps keep the medicine working the same way.
- Don't stop taking it until your doctor tells you to: Don't stop taking your medicine just because you feel better. Keep taking it until your doctor tells you to.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, do not delay. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or, if possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose.
Be careful about these things when taking medication.
There are several things you need to pay attention to while using this medicine.
- Dizziness and lightheadedness: This is a common side effect for many people. This can happen especially in the first few days of starting the medication, after increasing the dosage, during hot weather, or after exercise.
- Solution: When getting up from a sitting position or from a lying position, get up slowly. Don't get up all at once.
- Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
- Drinking alcohol can make this dizziness and fainting worse. Therefore, it is best to stay away from alcohol while taking the medication .
- Other medications: Be sure to ask your doctor before taking any over-the-counter cough, cold, or pain medications while you are taking this medicine, as some medications may increase your blood pressure.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help.
- Sexual difficulties: This is a very important and urgent situation. If your penis remains erect for more than 4 hours without sexual stimulation, or if it becomes painful, it could be a serious condition (`(Priapism)`). It needs to be treated immediately before it causes permanent damage. So go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, doxazosin can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The table below will give you a clearer idea of these.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Things to tell your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue) | Seek medical advice immediately. If you have difficulty breathing, go to an ETU. |
| Chest pain, tightness (Angina) | Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Low blood pressure (severe dizziness, fainting, blurred vision) | Seek medical advice immediately. |
| Painful or lasting more than 4 hours | This is an emergency. Go to an ETU immediately. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Dizziness | These usually subside within a few days, but if they persist, talk to your doctor. |
| Feeling tired | You may experience this feeling until your body gets used to the medicine. If it persists, tell your doctor. |
| Headache | It usually occurs at first and then goes away. If it is unbearable or persists, tell your doctor. |
Take-Home Message
- Doxazosin is a medication used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
- This pill should be swallowed whole without breaking, crushing, or chewing.
- When starting the medication, you may experience dizziness and fainting, so do it slowly when changing positions. Avoid driving.
- If you experience painful erections that last more than 4 hours, consider it an emergency and go to a hospital immediately.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any upcoming surgeries (especially eye surgeries).
- This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
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