From the Guidelines
Doxazosin can potentially cause hand tremors or shaking as a side effect, though this is not among its most common adverse reactions. This alpha-blocker medication, typically prescribed for high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), works by relaxing blood vessels and smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck. Hand tremors may occur as part of the drug's broader neurological side effect profile, which can include dizziness, headache, and fatigue. These effects are often related to doxazosin's blood pressure-lowering action, which can sometimes cause orthostatic hypotension (sudden blood pressure drops when changing positions) 1. If you experience hand shaking while taking doxazosin, you should report this to your healthcare provider promptly. They may consider adjusting your dosage, switching to another medication, or investigating other potential causes of tremor. The tremor is more likely to occur when starting the medication or after dose increases, and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Never stop taking doxazosin suddenly without medical guidance, as this could lead to rebound hypertension. Some key points to consider when taking doxazosin include:
- Monitoring blood pressure regularly to minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension
- Being cautious when changing positions to avoid dizziness and falls
- Reporting any symptoms of hand shaking or tremors to your healthcare provider
- Avoiding sudden cessation of the medication without medical guidance. It's also important to note that doxazosin is not typically recommended as a first-line treatment for hypertension in older adults due to its potential for adverse effects, such as postural hypotension 1.
From the Research
Doxazosin and Hand Shakes
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that doxazosin causes hand shakes.
- The studies primarily focus on the efficacy and tolerability of doxazosin in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Common side effects reported in the studies include dizziness, headache, nausea, lethargy, and fatigue 3, 4, 5, 6.
- While dizziness is a reported side effect, it is not explicitly linked to hand shakes in the provided studies.
- The studies suggest that doxazosin is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate in severity 3, 4, 5, 6.