General Information
Brand names and manufacturer
Type: OTC/Prescription/schedule
Pronunciation
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Prazocip XL (Cipla)
Prazopress (Sun)
Prazosin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Prazosin pronounced as: PRA zoe sin
Prazosin is an anti hypertensive drug belongs to class of drugs called alpha adrenergic blocker.
Prazosin is used in the treatment of hypertension, disorder of blood circulation (Raynaud’s syndrome) and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or enlargement.
- Take Prazosin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor.
- Prazosin is started with a small dose and then gradually increased over a period of few weeks to avoid hypotension.
- Take Prazosin with full glass of water preferably at bedtime to avoid giddiness.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking Prazosin without consulting your doctor.
- Prazosin should be tapered gradually over a period of weeks Stopping suddenly may worsen hypertension.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Other Anti hypertensive drugs like, Clonidine
- Beta blockers like Propranolol, atenolol
- Calcium channel blocker like verapamil
- Sildenafil/ Viagra
- Indomethacin
- Digoxin
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Prazosin should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- History of congestive heart failure
- Pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumour)
- History of narcolepsy( sudden attack of deep sleep)
Do not take prazosin if you are hypersensitive to it.
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Prazosin belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that prazosin may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether prazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take prazosin with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
Limit the uses of alcohol when on Prazosin as it increases its side effects.
Prazosin is available in the form of tablet.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician. The overdose symptoms of Prazosin are
- Cold and clammy skin
- Giddiness
- Weak and rapid pulse
- Fainting or syncope
- Loss of consciousness
Prazosin may cause following side effects
- Giddiness
- Sleep disturbances
- Muscle & joint pains
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Decrease in sexual interest
- Tingling and numbness in both the limbs
- Increased urination
- Nasal congestion
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty,
- Palpitations
- Rapid heart rate
Store prazosin at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Prazosin causes dizziness when used for the first time when getting up from sitting or lying down position due to postural hypotension. Hence take initial dose at bedtime and use caution when changing position.
- Avoid activities which require you to be alert like driving, handling heavy machinery, high spots etc as Prazosin causes dizziness.
- Never stop Prazosin abruptly without consulting your doctor as it causes rebound hypertension.
- Visit your doctor regularly for monitoring your blood pressure and pulse rate when taking Prazosin.
- Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
- Adopt healthy lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet, quit smoking, alcohol to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date: Ma20th,09