About Prazosin 5 mg Tablet
Prazosin 5 mg Tablet contains Prazosin 5 mg (XL). Prazosin is an alpha-blocker used to treat high blood pressure. It can also ease urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. The extended-release tablet releases the medicine slowly through the day and must be swallowed whole.
Uses of Prazosin 5 mg Tablet
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In high blood pressure
It relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney damage.
In an enlarged prostate
It relaxes muscles around the bladder outlet, which can make it easier to pass urine.
Side effects
Dizziness on standing is most common at the start. Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
Common
- Dizziness, especially when standing up
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Weakness or tiredness
- Palpitations
- Blocked nose
Get medical help if you notice
- Fainting, especially after the first dose or a dose increase — lie down and contact your doctor
- A painful erection lasting more than 4 hours — seek emergency care
- Chest pain or a fast, irregular heartbeat — seek medical help
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the extended-release tablet whole with water; do not crush, chew or break it. Your doctor may advise taking the first dose at bedtime.
How it works
It blocks alpha-1 receptors in the walls of blood vessels and in the prostate and bladder neck. This relaxes the muscle, so blood vessels widen and urine flows more easily.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can increase dizziness and the drop in blood pressure. Limit alcohol.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Small amounts pass into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially at the start. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down to avoid dizziness.
- Swallow the tablet whole; you may see the empty tablet shell in your stool, which is normal for some extended-release tablets.
- Tell your eye surgeon you take it if you are having cataract surgery.
- Do not stop it suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Quinazoline derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Cardiovascular / antihypertensive
- Action class
- Alpha-1 adrenergic blocker
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Sildenafil, tadalafil and similar erectile dysfunction medicines | Can lower blood pressure too much |
| Other blood pressure medicines and water tablets (diuretics) | Can add to the lowering of blood pressure |
| Beta-blockers | Higher risk of fainting after the first dose |
| Alcohol and sedatives | Can add to dizziness and drowsiness |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Prazosin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: prazosin; NICE BNF: prazosin). Pharmacist review pending.