Clinical medicine profile
Doxazosin
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class)
- Route
- See product SmPC
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity, history of postural hypotension
- monotherapy in overflow bladder or anuria
- hepatic impairment: use with caution and avoid in severe impairment
- pregnan- cy: no evidence of teratogenicity but use only when potential benefit outweighs risk
- breast- feeding: accumulates in milk avoid.
Precautions
- Postural hypotension with or without syncope may occur.
- ( 5.1 ) • Risk of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome during cataract surgery.
- ( 5.2 ) • Screen for the presence of prostate cancer prior to treatment for BPH and at regular intervals afterwards.
- ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension with or without symptoms (e.g., dizziness) may develop within a few hours following administration of doxazosin tablets.
- However, infrequently, symptomatic postural hypotension has also been reported later than a few hours after dosing.
- As with other alpha-blockers, there is a potential for syncope, especially after the initial dose or after an increase in dosage strength.
- Advise patient how to avoid symptoms resulting from postural hypotension and what measures to take should they develop.
- Concomitant administration of doxazosin tablets with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. 5.2 Cataract Surgery Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha 1 blockers.
- This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions.
- The patient’s surgeon should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances.
- There does not appear to be a benefit of stopping alpha 1 blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery. 5.3 Prostate Cancer Carcinoma of the prostate causes many of the symptoms associated with BPH and the two disorders frequently co-exist.
- Carcinoma of the prostate should therefore be ruled out prior to commencing therapy with doxazosin tablets for the treatment of BPH. 5.4 Priapism Alpha1 antagonists, including doxazosin, have been associated with priapism (painful penile erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation).
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
• For the treatment of BPH: Initiate therapy at 1 mg once daily. Dose may be titrated at 1 to 2 week intervals, up to 8 mg once daily.( 2.2 ) • For the treatment hypertension: Initiate therapy at 1 mg once daily. Dose may be titrated as needed, up to 16 mg once daily. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Dosing Information Following the initial dose and with each dose increase of doxazosin tablets, monitor blood pressure for at least 6 hours following administration. If doxazosin tablets administration is discontinued for several days, therapy should be restarted using the initial dosing regimen. 2.2 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia The recommended initial dosage of doxazosin tablets is 1 mg given once daily either in the morning or evening. Depending on the individual patient’s urodynamics and BPH symptomatology, the dose may be titrated at 1 to 2 week intervals to 2 mg, and thereafter to 4 mg and 8 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose for BPH is 8 mg once daily. Routinely monitor blood pressure in these patients. 2.3 Hypertension The initial dosage of doxazosin tablets is 1 mg given once daily. Daily dosage may be doubled up 16 mg once daily, as needed, to achieve the desired reduction in blood pressure.
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Doxazosin tablets are an alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist indicated for: • Signs and symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) • Treatment of HypertensionTreatment of Hypertension 1.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Doxazosin tablets are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. 1.2 Hypertension Doxazosin tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure.
- Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.
- These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes, including this drug.
- Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake.
- Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals.
- For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC).
- Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits.
- The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly.
- Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit.
- Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal.
- Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease).
- These considerations may guide selection of therapy.
Adverse effects
- Fatigue, malaise, hypotension, and dizziness.
- ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Apotex Corp at 1-800-706-5575 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The incidence of adverse events has been ascertained from worldwide clinical trials in 965 BPH patients.
- The incidence rates presented below (Table 2) are based on combined data from seven placebo-controlled trials involving once-daily administration of doxazosin tablets in doses of 1 to 16 mg in hypertensives and 0.5 to 8 mg in normotensives.
- Adverse reactions occurring more than 1% more frequently in BPH patients treated with doxazosin tablets vs placebo are summarized in Table 1.
- Table 1.
- Adverse Reactions Occurring more than 1% More Frequently in BPH Patients Treated with Doxazosin Tablets Versus Placebo BODY SYSTEM Doxazosin Tablets N=665 Placebo N=300 NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Dizziness † 15.6% 9% Somnolence 3% 1% CARDIAC DISORDERS Hypotension 1.7% 0% RESPIRATORY, THORACIC AND MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS Dyspnoea 2.6% 0.3% GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS Dry Mouth 1.4% 0.3% GENERAL DISORDERS AND ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS Fatigue 8% 1.7% Oedema 2.7% 0.7% †Includes vertigo Other adverse reactions occurring less than 1% more frequently in BPH patients treated with doxazosin tablets vs placebo but plausibly related to doxazosin tablets include: palpitations.
- Hypertension Doxazosin tablets has been administered to approximately 4,000 hypertensive patients in clinical trials, of whom 1,679 were included in the hypertension clinical development program.
- In placebo-controlled studies, adverse events occurred in 49% and 40% of patients in the doxazosin and placebo groups, respectively, and led to discontinuation in 2% of patients in each group.
- Adverse reactions occurring more than 1% more frequently in hypertensive patients treated with doxazosin tablets vs placebo are summarized in Table 1.
- Postural effects and edema appeared to be dose-related.
- The prevalence rates presented below are based on combined data from placebo-controlled studies involving once-daily administration of doxazosin at doses ranging from 1 to 16 mg.
- Table 2.
- Adverse Reactions Occurring more than 1% More Frequently in Hypertensive Patients Treated with Doxazosin Tablets versus Placebo BODY SYSTEM Doxazosin Tablets N=339 Placebo N=336 NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Dizziness 19% 9% Somnolence 5% 1% RESPIRATORY, THORACIC AND MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS Rhinitis 3% 1% RENAL AND URINARY DISORDERS Polyuria 2% 0% REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND BREAST DISORDERS GENERAL DISORDERS AND ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS Fatigue / Malaise 12% 6% Other adverse reactions occurring less than 1% more frequently in hypertensive patients treated with doxazosin tablets vs placebo but plausibly related to doxazosin tablets use include vertigo, hypotension, hot flushes, epistaxis and oedema.
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Mechanism & disposition
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying are related to two components, anatomical (static) and functional (dynamic).
Read complete mechanism
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying are related to two components, anatomical (static) and functional (dynamic). The static component is related to an increase in prostate size caused, in part, by a proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the prostatic stroma. However, the severity of BPH symptoms and the degree of urethral obstruction do not correlate well with the size of the prostate. The dynamic component of BPH is associated with an increase in smooth muscle tone in the prostate and bladder neck. The degree of tone in this area is mediated by the alpha 1 adrenoceptor, which is present in high density in the prostatic stroma, prostatic capsule and bladder neck. Blockade of the alpha 1 receptor decreases urethral resistance and may relieve the obstruction and BPH symptoms and improve urine flow. Hypertension The mechanism of action of doxazosin is selective blockade of the alpha 1 (postjunctional) subtype of adrenergic receptors. Studies in normal human subjects have shown that doxazosin competitively antagonized the pressor effects of phenylephrine (an alpha 1 agonist) and the systolic pressor effect of norepinephrine. Doxazosin and prazosin have similar abilities to antagonize phenylephrine. The antihypertensive effect of doxazosin results from a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. The parent compound doxazosin is primarily responsible for the antihypertensive activity. The low plasma concentrations of known active and inactive metabolites of doxazosin (2-piperazinyl, 6’- and 7’-hydroxy and 6- and 7-O-desmethyl compounds) compared to parent drug indicate that the contribution of even the most potent compound (6’-hydroxy) to the antihypertensive effect of doxazosin in man is probably small. The 6’- and 7’-hydroxy metabolites have demonstrated antioxidant properties at concentrations of 5 mcM, in vitro .
Product-specific
Product-specific
See product SmPC
After oral administration of therapeutic doses, peak plasma levels of doxazosin occur at about 2 to 3 hours. Bioavailability is approximately 65%, reflecting first-pass
At the plasma concentrations achieved by therapeutic doses, approximately 98% of the circulating drug is bound to plasma proteins.
of doxazosin by the liver. The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of doxazosin was examined in a crossover study with twelve hypertensive subjects. Reductions of 18% in mean maximum plasma concentration (C max ) and 12% in the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) occ...
is via CYP 3A4; however, CYP 2D6 and CYP 2C9 metabolic pathways are also involved to a lesser extent. Although several active metabolites of doxazosin have been identified, the pharmacokinetics of these metabolites have not been characterized. Excretion Plasma elimination of doxa...
of about 22 hours. Steady-state studies in hypertensive patients given doxazosin doses of 2 to 16 mg once daily showed linear kinetics and dose proportionality. In two studies, following the administration of 2 mg orally once daily, the mean accumulation ratios (steady-state AUC...
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
• Hepatic Impairment: Monitor for hypotension. ( 8.6 , 12.3 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited available data with doxazosin tablets in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. However, untreated hypertension during pregnancy can result in increased maternal risks [ see Clinical Considerations ]. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when doxazosin was orally administered to pregnant rabbits and rats during the period of organogenesis at doses of up to 41 and 20 mg/kg, respectively (exposures in rabbits and rats were 10 and 4 times, respectively, the human AUC exposures with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose). A dosage regimen of 82 mg/kg/day in the rabbit was associated with reduced fetal survival [ see Data ]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypertension in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and delivery complications (e.g., need for cesarean section, and post-partum hemorrhage). Hypertension increases the fetal risk for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine death. Data Animal Data Radioactivity was found to cross the placenta following oral administration of labelled doxazosin to pregnant rats. Studies in pregnant rabbits and rats at daily oral doses of up to 41 and 20 mg/kg, respectively (plasma drug concentrations of 10 and 4 times, respectively, the human AUC exposures with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose), have revealed no evidence of adverse developmental effects. A dosage regimen of 82 mg/kg/day in the rabbit was associated with reduced fetal survival. In peri- and postnatal studies in rats, postnatal development at maternal doses of 40 or 50 mg/kg/day of doxazosin (about 8 times human AUC exposure with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose) was delayed, as evidenced by slower body weight gain and slightly later appearance of anatomical features and reflexes. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is limited information on the presence of doxazosin in human milk [ see Data ]. There is no information on the effects of doxazosin tablets on the breastfeed infant or the effects on milk production. Data A single case study reports that doxazosin is present in human milk, which resulted in an infant dose of less than 1% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage and a milk/plasma ratio of 0.1. However, these data are insufficient to confirm the presence of doxazosin in human milk. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of doxazosin tablets have not been established in children. 8.5 Geriatric Use Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The safety and effectiveness profile of doxazosin tablets was similar in the elderly (age ≥ 65 years) and younger (age < 65 years) patients. Hypertension Clinical studies of doxazosin tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. 8.6 Hepatic Impairment Doxazosin is extensively metabolized in the liver. Hepatic impairment is expected to increase exposure to doxazosin. Use of doxazosin tablets in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) is not recommended. Monitor blood pressure and for symptoms of hypotension in patients with lesser degrees of hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B) [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].
• Hepatic Impairment: Monitor for hypotension. ( 8.6 , 12.3 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited available data with doxazosin tablets in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. However, untreated hypertension during pregnancy can result in increased maternal risks [ see Clinical Considerations ]. In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when doxazosin was orally administered to pregnant rabbits and rats during the period of organogenesis at doses of up to 41 and 20 mg/kg, respectively (exposures in rabbits and rats were 10 and 4 times, respectively, the human AUC exposures with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose). A dosage regimen of 82 mg/kg/day in the rabbit was associated with reduced fetal survival [ see Data ]. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Hypertension in pregnancy increases the maternal risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature delivery, and delivery complications (e.g., need for cesarean section, and post-partum hemorrhage). Hypertension increases the fetal risk for intrauterine growth restriction and intrauterine death. Data Animal Data Radioactivity was found to cross the placenta following oral administration of labelled doxazosin to pregnant rats. Studies in pregnant rabbits and rats at daily oral doses of up to 41 and 20 mg/kg, respectively (plasma drug concentrations of 10 and 4 times, respectively, the human AUC exposures with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose), have revealed no evidence of adverse developmental effects. A dosage regimen of 82 mg/kg/day in the rabbit was associated with reduced fetal survival. In peri- and postnatal studies in rats, postnatal development at maternal doses of 40 or 50 mg/kg/day of doxazosin (about 8 times human AUC exposure with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose) was delayed, as evidenced by slower body weight gain and slightly later appearance of anatomical features and reflexes. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is limited information on the presence of doxazosin in human milk [ see Data ]. There is no information on the effects of doxazosin tablets on the breastfeed infant or the effects on milk production. Data A single case study reports that doxazosin is present in human milk, which resulted in an infant dose of less than 1% of the maternal weight-adjusted dosage and a milk/plasma ratio of 0.1. However, these data are insufficient to confirm the presence of doxazosin in human milk. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of doxazosin tablets have not been established in children. 8.5 Geriatric Use Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The safety and effectiveness profile of doxazosin tablets was similar in the elderly (age ≥ 65 years) and younger (age < 65 years) patients. Hypertension Clinical studies of doxazosin tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy. 8.6 Hepatic Impairment Doxazosin is extensively metabolized in the liver. Hepatic impairment is expected to increase exposure to doxazosin. Use of doxazosin tablets in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) is not recommended. Monitor blood pressure and for symptoms of hypotension in patients with lesser degrees of hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B) [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doxazosin | Afya Index / Retail Reference | tabs 1mg 28's | KES 160.00afya_index_book |
| Doxazosin | distributed by Metro | tabs 2mg 28's | Unavailable |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.