Duracard 4 mg Tablet

Duracard 4 mg Tablet contains 4 mg of doxazosin in each tablet. It belongs to the alpha-1 blocker class and is used to help treat high blood pressure, and in some patients, symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) such as a weak stream or difficulty urinating. By relaxing blood vessels and certain smooth muscles, Duracard 4 mg Tablet can make it easier for blood to flow and for urine to pass.

How it works: Doxazosin in Duracard 4 mg Tablet blocks alpha-1 receptors in blood vessels, which helps the vessels relax and lowers blood pressure. In the urinary tract and prostate, this same relaxation can help improve urine flow.

Duracard 4 mg Tablet is a higher-strength tablet than Duracard 2 mg Tablet, so it is usually chosen only after a doctor has assessed how well a lower dose works or when a patient has already tolerated doxazosin. Because 4 mg can lower blood pressure more noticeably, it may be more likely to cause dizziness or lightheadedness when first started or when the dose is increased.

• High blood pressure
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream
• Urinary hesitancy

• Swallow Duracard 4 mg Tablet whole with water; do not crush, chew, or split unless your prescriber tells you to.
• Take it exactly as prescribed, usually once daily, and try to take it at the same time each day.
• The first doses and dose increases can cause dizziness, so many patients are advised to take it at bedtime.
• You can take Duracard 4 mg Tablet with or without food.
• Stand up slowly from sitting or lying positions to reduce the chance of fainting, especially after the first dose.

Each Duracard 4 mg Tablet provides 4 mg of doxazosin per tablet. The dose may be taken once daily, but the exact schedule and the maximum daily amount depend on why it was prescribed and how you respond to treatment; your doctor decides this. Because this is a 4 mg strength, it is not the usual starting strength for many patients and should be used only under medical guidance.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Doxazosin may include:

• Dizziness, especially when standing up
• Tiredness or weakness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
• Nasal congestion
• Palpitations or a feeling of a fast heartbeat

• Duracard 4 mg Tablet can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially after the first dose or after a dose increase.
• Use extra caution if you drive, operate machinery, or need to stand quickly because dizziness can be stronger with this 4 mg strength.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a history of fainting, or liver problems.
• Alcohol can increase dizziness and low blood pressure.
• Do not use this medicine together with PDE-5 inhibitors or other blood-pressure-lowering medicines unless your doctor has reviewed the combination.
• If you are taking it for BPH, tell your doctor before eye surgery because alpha-blockers can affect certain cataract procedures.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the blood-pressure-lowering effects of Duracard 4 mg Tablet.

• PDE-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil
• Other antihypertensives, including beta-blockers and diuretics
• Nitrates
• Alcohol
• Other alpha-blockers or medicines that can lower blood pressure

Store Duracard 4 mg Tablet in its original strip or box at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light.