Doxazosin side effect

I have been taking Doxazosin 4mg for several years now, together with Atenolol, Losartan and bendrofluazide. My systolic BP has often been extremely high, 180/70 not being unusual, but recently I seem to have stabilised around 135/80 which the practice nurse was pleased with. My BP is often much higher if I take it at home, as I become very anxious, so I was advised to stop doing it. I can't say I have ever 'passed out' with Doxazocin, although occasionally while lying in bed I feel rather uncomfortably dizzy, which is strange as I am lying down lol, but it soon passes off. I think it does take the body a while to become accustomed to new BP drugs, and I also think that you should tell your GP or practice nurse about your problems with Doxazocin, rather than just not taking it. I hope you do this and that they can advise you.

coshamdoug...I agree wtih carolyn58665. You should report what you're experiencing to your doctor. Perhaps 4mg is too strong, whereas 2mg or 1mg may suit you better. I take 1mg..& don't have any problem with it whatsoever. We are all different, so what affects one person may not affect another. When I first started taking the Doxazosin, the pharmicist strongly encouraged me to take the 1st tablet just before bed. That way it would reduce the chances of being dizzy during the waking hours, but he also encouraged me to get up slowly, sit for a few moments, then stand up. I dont' take the tablets at night anymore...just in the mornings. That way, I know all my meds have been taken, & there's no risk of forgetting them. 

I do not recommend that anyone stop taking their meds without consulting the Dr. Why not ask about reducing the dosage..say to 2mg..or 1mg. At 2mg you're reducing the dosage by half. 

Please let us know how you get on with this. 

P.S...dizziness is a common side effect of Doxazosin. Usually there's a warning on the label. Again, the 4mg may be too strong for you.

Hello coshamdoug, I took Doxazosin for a few months until recently when it had to be stopped after a skin biopsy discovered it as being the cause of a 24 hour all-over body itch.  I'm sure I read on the accompanying leaflet that the initial dose should be just 1mg and then slowly titrated up as necessary.  I strongly suspect that starting you on 4mg may have been too much for the body to cope with.  

I do hope that you have made your doctor aware that you have stopped taking the pills.

I would stop the medication immediately and tell your physician about what happened. He will need to find a different treatment for you.