| Information for
patients
|
| Drug Information |
Prazosin is one of a group of medicines called alpha-blockers.
It is usually used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It may also be used to treat heart failure,
painful cold fingers (Raynaud’s Disease) or mild enlargement of the prostate gland (prostatic
hyperplasia) in men.
In patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) Prazosin works by relaxing blood vessels so that
blood passes through them more easily. It can be used alone or in combination with other drugs used
to treat hypertension.
In patients with heart failure, Prazosin works by relaxing the main blood vessels of the heart,
allowing the heart to pump blood more easily. Prazosin is usually used in heart failure when other
drugs are either no longer working or have not worked at all.
In patients with Raynaud’s Disease the treatment relaxes blood vessels in the hands, so blood can
reach the fingers more easily. This helps to prevent coldness and stiffness.
In patients with enlargement of the prostate gland the treatment is taken to treat poor and/or frequent
passing of urine. This is common in patients with enlargement of the prostate gland. The treatment
works by relaxing muscle around the bladder and prostate gland so urine is passed more easily.
You should ask your doctor if you are unsure why you have been given Prazosin. |
| Drug Alert |
| Alert |
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to prazosin, or to any similar drugs (known as quinazoline drugs)
or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6. This may have caused itching, reddening of
the skin or difficulty in breathing.
• are under 12 years of age. |
| Before Consuming
the Medicine
|
| Avoid Drug |
• are allergic (hypersensitive) to prazosin, or to any similar drugs (known as quinazoline drugs)
or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6. This may have caused itching, reddening of
the skin or difficulty in breathing.
• are under 12 years of age. |
| Drug Special Care |
Medicines are not always suitable for everyone. Your doctor needs to know before you take Prazosin
if any of the following apply to you:
• you have heart failure because of another heart condition, e.g. heart valve disease, or a recent
heart attack. If you have heart failure, Prazosin can gradually become less helpful over
several months. If this happens you may notice swelling of your legs or ankles due to retention
of fluid. This is called ''''oedema''''. If you develop oedema or weight gain tell your doctor as your
doctor may need to change the dose of Prazosin or other medicines you are taking.
• you have ever fainted after passing urine.
• you have liver or kidney disease.
• you are undergoing eye surgery because of a cataract (cloudiness of the lens). This is because
Prazosin may cause complications during the surgery which can be managed if your specialist
is prepared in advance. Please inform your eye specialist before the operation that you are
using or have previously used Prazosin.
Remember to tell your doctor that you are taking Prazosin if you have any tests, such as a urine test,
as Prazosin may affect the result. |
| Drug Drug Interactions |
Some medicines can affect the way Prazosin works. If you are taking any of the following medicines
tell your doctor before you start the treatment:
• calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers which are usually given to treat angina
and/or high blood pressure.
• medicines for erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Some patients who take Prazosin for the treatment of high blood pressure or prostate enlargement
may experience dizziness or light-headedness, which may be caused by low blood pressure upon
sitting or standing up quickly. Certain patients have experienced these symptoms when taking drugs
for erectile dysfunction (impotence) with Prazosin. In order to reduce the likelihood that these
symptoms occur, you should be on a regular daily dose of Prazosin before you start drugs for erectile
dysfunction.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines,
including medicines obtained without a prescription. |
| Drug Pregnancy Interaction |
If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or are breast-feeding, tell your doctor before you take
Prazosin.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. |
| Drug Breast feeding Interaction |
If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or are breast-feeding, tell your doctor before you take
Prazosin.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. |
| Drug Machinery Interaction |
Prazosin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or weakness. If you experience these symptoms, do not
drive or use any tools or machinery |
| Drug More Information |
Prazosin can be taken before or after food and drinks |
| How to take the
Medicine
|
| Consumption Info |
|
| Drug quanitty |
High blood pressure (hypertension)
The recommended starting dose is one 0.5 mg tablet, two or three times a day for 3 to 7 days
with the starting dose taken in the evening.
The dose is usually then increased to a 1 mg tablet taken two or three times a day for a further 3 to 7
days. Your doctor may then advise you to gradually increase the dose further (up to a maximum of
20mg daily) depending on how your blood pressure has responded to treatment.
Heart failure
The recommended starting dose is one 0.5 mg tablet taken two, three or four times a day. Your doctor
may then advise you to increase the dose further (up to a maximum of 20 mg daily) depending on how
you have responded to treatment
Raynaud’s disease
The recommended starting dose is one 0.5 mg tablet, twice a day for 3 to 7 days
Your doctor may then advise you to increase the dose further (up to 2 mg twice a day) depending on
how you have responded to treatment.
Enlarged prostate
The recommended starting dose is one 0.5 mg tablet, twice a day for 3 to 7 days, with the initial dose
taken in the evening. Your doctor may then advise you to increase the dose further (up to 2 mg twice
a day) depending on how you have responded to treatment. |
| Drug Dose |
Always take Prazosin exactly as you doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or
pharmacist if you are not sure.
Prazosin tablets are to be taken by mouth.
Sometimes Prazosin can make you feel light-headed or weak particularly when you first take it. This
can happen when standing up and can occasionally cause fainting. If the treatment makes you feel
light-headed or weak; lie down until you feel better. Get up slowly when you feel better. If you are
concerned, tell your doctor.
Prazosin is usually started at the lowest possible dose and gradually increased, depending on how
you respond to treatment. Do not change the dose or stop taking the tablets without first checking with
your doctor. Make sure you get a new prescription before your tablets run out |
| Excess Drug Consumption |
If you accidentally take too much Prazosin, contact your doctor immediately or go to your nearest
hospital casualty department. Always take the labelled medicine package with you, whether there is
any Prazosin left or not. |
| Forgot Drug Consumption |
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. Do
not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. |
| Stop Drug Consumption |
Do not stop taking Prazosin unless your doctor tells you to. Your condition may return if you stop
using Prazosin.
If you have any further questions on how to take this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist |
| Possible Side
Effects
|
| General Information |
Prazosin, like most medicines may cause side effects, but not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this
medicine. Although they are very rare, the symptoms can be severe:
• Sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching
(especially affecting the whole body) |
| Common Drug Side Effects |
• feeling faint, fainting or feeling dizzy, particularly on standing-up (see section 3 ‘How to take
Prazosin’
• headache, drowsiness or weakness
• unpleasant sensation of forceful beating of the heart (palpitations)
• feeling or being sick
• lack of energy, depression or nervousness
• constipation or diarrhoea
• dry mouth, nasal stuffiness or blurred vision
• shortness of breath or rash
• swelling of the feet, ankles or legs
• increase in frequency of passing urine
If any of these cause you problems or if they last for more than one week, you should contact your
doctor |
| Rare Drug Side Effects |
• abnormal blood tests that check for liver function
• pain or infection in the pancreas
• abnormally slow heartbeat
• hallucinations (imagining things which are not really there)
• hair loss
• low blood pressure
• flushing (redness)
• positive ANA (a blood test that checks function of the immune system)
• abnormal breast tissue development, especially in men
• persistent erection of the penis
• an increased tendency to fall asleep if you have a sleep disorder (narcolepsy)
• leaking of urine (incontinence)
• fever or pain
• inflammation of blood vessels
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please
tell your doctor or pharmacist |
| Very Rare Drug Side Effects |
• stomach discomfort and/or pain
• chest pain or abnormally fast heart beat
• tingling sensation or numbness
• buzzing or ringing in the ear
• nose bleeds, eye pain or red eyes
• difficulty sleeping
• sweating, itching or itchy skin rash
• painful joints
• inability or difficulty in achieving erection of the penis |
| Drug Side Effects Symptoms |
|
| How to Store the
Medicine
|
| How to Store the Medicine |
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Prazosin after the expiry date which is stamped on the pack after EXP. The expiry date
refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a cool, dry, place below 30ºC.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to
dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment. |
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