Where is Prazosin Hydrochloride used?
Prazosin Hydrochloride is an alpha-blocker used for the treatment of hypertension. This may be used alone or with other medicines to treat the condition.
This medication may also be used to treat Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon as well as the enlarged prostate gland. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. Prazosin Hydrochloride is supplied as a capsule for oral use.
How does Prazosin Hydrochloride work?
In hypertension, Prazosin Hydrochloride blocks alpha receptors found in the muscle in the walls of blood vessels. It causes the muscles in the blood vessel to relax and widen. As a result, it permits the blood to pass more easily through the blood vessels and lessens the pressure in the blood vessels.
In Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon is where the arteries supplying blood to the hands and feet go into spasm and narrow. This limits the blood supply to the fingers and toes that causes them to go painful, cold, and pale. This medication widens the blood vessels and thus increases the blood flow to the hands and feet. Therefore, this medication relieves the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon.
For the treatment of enlarged prostate gland, this medication blocks the alpha receptors that are also found in the muscle in the prostate gland. By blocking the receptors in the prostate, this drug causes the muscle to relax. This permits urine to flow easily past the prostate gland and relieves the urinary symptoms of the condition.
How is Prazosin Hydrochloride taken?
The prescribed dosage is based on your medical condition and response to the treatment. You must take this medication exactly as it is given by your doctor. Your doctor may direct you to start at a lower dose and eventually increase it.
This medicine is to be taken by mouth usually two to three times a day or as directed by your doctor. You may take each tablet with or without a meal. If a stomach upset occurs, take it with food. It may take 2 to 4 hours before the full benefit of this medication takes effect. It is important to continue taking this even if you feel well. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a full glass of water.
What are the possible side effects of Prazosin Hydrochloride?
Common side effects:
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Weakness or tiredness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation as your body adjusts to the medication
- Light-headedness or dizziness upon standing especially after the first dose and shortly after taking a dose during the first week of treatment
What are the precautions in taking Prazosin Hydrochloride?
- This first dose of this medication may cause dizziness or fainting. For this reason, you should take it just before retiring to bed at night. Be careful when moving from lying down to sitting. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages. It may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect of this drug and may cause dizziness in some people.
- During treatment with this medicine, your blood pressure should be monitored.
- Before having this medication, let your doctor know if you have any medical history especially of heart problems, kidney disease, prostate cancer, or certain eye problems.
- This should not be used in children under 12 years of age and for people who have heart failure due to a mechanical obstruction of the heart.
