Prazosin
About
Prazosin contains an 'anti-hypertensive' medication primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and lower any future risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition to this, it is also used to treat mild prostate gland enlargement in men (known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) and treating heart failure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a lifelong or chronic condition in which the blood pressure against the artery walls becomes high. The higher this blood pressure, the harder the heart has to pump.
Prazosin contains Prazosin, an alpha-blocker, primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It acts by relaxing the blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload, and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of any future heart attack or stroke.
Take Prazosin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Prazosin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending upon your medical condition. The most common side effects of Prazosin are drowsiness, headache, weakness, dizziness, priapism (prolonged erections), nausea, and feeling exhausted. They do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine. Lifestyle changes are beneficial in achieving optimum outcomes with Prazosin and keeping blood pressure under check. A low salt diet, daily physical activity (even 20-30 minute brisk walking for 5 days a week can help, losing weight in case of people who are obese), etc., are the mainstay of treatment of hypertension. Inform your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to Prazosin, are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, are breastfeeding, have liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, a heart valve problem, or a history of a heart attack.
Uses of Prazosin
Medicinal Benefits
Prazosin is primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and lower the risk of future heart attack and stroke. It is also used to treat mild prostate gland enlargement in men (known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) and treating heart failure. Prazosin contains Prazosin, an alpha-blocker that acts by widening and relaxing the blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload, and making the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it reduces high blood pressure and reduces the chances of a future heart attack or stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Prazosin
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Lack of energy, weakness
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Lightheadedness
- Priapism (prolonged erections)
- Nausea
- Feeling exhausted
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Prazosin should not be given to the people allergic to Prazosin, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnant women or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women without the prescription of a doctor. Besides this, it is contraindicated in patients with aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Prazosin can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Prazosin and breastfeeding. As with all alpha-blockers (blood pressure-lowering pills), Prazosin may cause sudden loss of consciousness due to a sudden dip in the blood pressure with heart rates of 120–160 beats per minute. Low blood pressure (hypotension) may develop in patients given Prazosin who are also receiving a beta-blocker (blood pressure-lowering pills) such as propranolol. Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting may occur, especially when rising from a lying or sitting position due to postural hypotension. Getting up slowly may help lessen the problem. During cataract surgery, an eye problem known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been associated with alpha-1 blocker therapy (blood pressure-lowering pills). If you are undergoing any planned eye surgery, let your doctor know that you are taking Prazosin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Prazosin may interact with high blood pressure lowering pills (benazepril, metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide), drugs used to control lipid levels in the blood (atorvastatin, simvastatin), medicines to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampin), antifungal (itraconazole, ketoconazole), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine, tacrolimus) and painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid foods with high fat or cholesterol. Avoid too much salt in your diet like pickles, extra salt on salad, etc.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Prazosin should not be given to people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), liver disease or heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Prazosin to avoid unpleasant side effects like lowering blood pressure (hypotension).
Pregnancy
cautionPrazosin belongs to the pregnancy category C medicine. There is limited evidence regarding the use of Prazosin and is generally not preferred as the initial treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. It is best to consult your doctor if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionUse of Prazosin during breastfeeding has not been shown to cause any harmful effects in breastfed babies. If Prazosin is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding. If you are a nursing mother, it is best to consult your Obstetrician regarding the use of Prazosin.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Prazosin usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionPrazosin to be taken with caution, especially if you have or have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPrazosin is generally safe to prescribe in patients with kidney diseases, and dose adjustment is generally not required. However, your doctor will decide the appropriate dosage strength depending upon the severity of your condition.
Children
safe if prescribedPrazosin can be given safely to children aged 6-12 years provided a child specialist has prescribed the dose. Prazosin should not be given to the children without consulting a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Consumption of Prazosin may cause dizziness. Avoid activities like driving while on this medication.
- A sudden drop in blood pressure may be seen while on this medication, leading to dizziness. Changing your posture at a slower rate might help counter this.
- Ankle swelling, which can be a sign of oedema, can be experienced as a side effect of this drug. Consult your doctor if this or other side effects cause trouble or are persistent.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all body parts. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor. Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): It is the enlargement of the prostate gland. It is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland caused due to overproduction of dihydrotestosterone hormone in men. After age 50, most men develop an enlarged prostate gland putting pressure on the urinary bladder. It leads to restricted or obstructed urine flow, the urge to urinate frequently (especially at night), and the feeling of not emptying the urinary bladder.
Raynaud's disease: Also known as cold finger syndrome it causes smaller arteries that supply blood flow to the skin to narrow in response to cold or stress. The affected body parts, especially fingers and toes, might turn white or blue with a cold feeling and numbness until circulation improves, usually when you get warm.
FAQs
Prazosin contains Prazosin, an alpha-blocker that acts by relaxing and widening the constricted blood vessels. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it reduces high blood pressure and reduces the chances of a future heart attack or stroke.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
In case, you have missed a dose of Prazosin, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both doses together. Take only one dose, taking a double dose of Prazosin will lead to low blood pressure.
Prazosin can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor.
Yes, Prazosin may cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Prazosin. In case you feel dizzy or light-headed, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
Prazosin may cause priapism (prolonged erections) sometimes. If you have an erection that lasts more than four hours, inform your doctor and seek emergency medical help as if not treated, it can lead to tissue scarring or erectile dysfunction.
Prazosin can cause nasal congestion due to dilation of vessels in the nasal mucosa.
