PRAZOSIN

Brand & Generic Names

Minipress

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

• Treatment for high blood pressure.
• May relieve congestive heart failure.
• Treatment for Raynaud's disease.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Expands and relaxes blood vessel walls to lower blood pressure.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Extreme weakness; loss of consciousness; cold, sweaty skin; weak, rapid pulse; coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Rapid heartbeat.
• Vivid dreams, drowsiness, dizziness.

Infrequent:

• Rash or itchy skin, blurred vision, shortness of breath, difficult breathing, chest pain.
• Appetite loss, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention, joint or muscle aches, weakness and faintness when arising from bed or chair.
• Headache, irritability, depression, dry mouth, stuffy nose, increased urination.

Rare:

Decreased sexual function, numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to prazosin.
• You are depressed.
• You will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you experience lightheadedness or fainting with other antihypertensive drugs*.
• If you are easily depressed.
• If you have impaired brain circulation or have had a stroke.
• If you have coronary heart disease (with or without angina).
• If you have kidney disease or impaired liver function.

Over age 60:
Begin with no more than 1 mg. per day for first 3 days. Increases should be gradual and supervised by your doctor. Don't stand while taking. Sudden changes in position may cause falls. Sit or lie down promptly if you feel dizzy. If you have impaired brain circulation or coronary heart disease, excessive lowering of blood pressure should be avoided. Report problems to your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
First dose likely to cause fainting. Take it at night and get out of bed slowly next morning.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Amphetamines*	Decreased prazosin effect.
Antihypertensives*,	Increased antihypertensive effect.
other	Dosages may require adjustments.
Estrogens*	Decreased effect of prazosin.
Guanfacine	Increased effect of both medicines.
Lisinopril	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosage of each may require
	adjustment.
MAO inhibitors*	Blood pressure drop.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nicotine	Increased effect of prazosin.
Nifedipine	Weakness and faintness when arising
	from bed or chair.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Nitrates*	Possible excessive blood pressure
	drop.
Non-steroidal	Decreased effect of prazosin.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Decreased effect of prazosin.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Verapamil	Weakness and faintness when arising
	from bed or chair.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Excessive blood pressure drop.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Possible fainting. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Possible spasm of coronary
	arteries. Avoid.