Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. It is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. Alpha blockers work by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Prazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It may be used alone or with other blood pressure medications.
Prazosin is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. This can cause problems with urinating.
Prazosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Possible side effects of prazosin include:
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- weakness,
- headache,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- constipation,
- diarrhea,
- skin rash,
- weight gain, or
- swelling in your hands or feet.
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of prazosin including:
- fainting,
- fast or pounding heartbeat,
- feeling short of breath,
- confusion,
- hallucinations, or
- unusual thoughts or behavior.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- slow heart rate;
- bruising, unusual bleeding;
- swelling in your ankles or feet;
- feeling light-headed, fainting; or
- jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
- Common side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- feeling weak or tired;
- headache;
- nausea, vomiting;
- stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea;
- skin rash; or
- weight gain.
This is not a complete list of side
-What is prazosin?
Prazosin is an alpha-blocker that is used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions. It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. Prazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), and urinary stress incontinence (leakage). It is also used to treat nightmares or sleep problems (insomnia) in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prazosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Prazosin is usually taken once a day with or without food. You may take prazosin with or without food, but take it the same way each time. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether prazosin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether prazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How does prazosin work?
Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels, which allows the blood to flow more easily and decreases the amount of work the heart has to do. Prazosin can also be used to treat other conditions, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Prazosin works by blocking the action of a chemical called norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a hormone that is released by the body in response to stress. It causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster. By blocking the action of norepinephrine, prazosin lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
Prazosin is usually taken once a day. The dose is usually increased gradually over a period of days or weeks until the desired effect is achieved. Side effects of prazosin include dizziness, lightheadedness, and drowsiness. These side effects are usually mild and go away after a few days of treatment.
What are the most common side effects of prazosin?
When starting prazosin, the most common side effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, and headache. These side effects usually go away after a few days. If they persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Other side effects include:
– fatigue
– nausea
– nightmares
– hypotension
Prazosin may cause a drop in blood pressure when you stand up from a sitting or lying position. This effect may be more likely in older adults. To avoid this problem, get up slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
Less common side effects of prazosin
Side Effects of Prazosin: Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure and to help reduce the risk of death from heart attacks. Prazosin is in a class of medications called alpha-blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Prazosin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- drowsiness
- headache
- tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- dry mouth
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- decreased sex drive
- impotence
- difficulty having an orgasm
Less common side effects of prazosin may include:
- blurred vision
- ringing in the ears
- nosebleed
- sweating
- flushing
- anxiety
- depression
- irritability
- insomnia
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If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:
- fainting
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Prazosin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
– Serious side effects of prazosin
Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to treatcongestive heart failure and to improve survival after a heart attack. Prazosin is in a class of medications called alpha-blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Prazosin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
When to seek medical attention for prazosin side effects
Prazosin is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure. It can also be used to treat other conditions, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prazosin works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing the heart rate.
Side effects of prazosin can include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and constipation. Some of these side effects can be serious and require medical attention.
These side effects should go away after a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, call your doctor.
In rare cases, prazosin can cause a serious allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, rash, itching, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If you experience these symptoms, stop taking prazosin and call your doctor immediately.
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