From the Guidelines
Doxazosin may be prescribed to female patients primarily to treat hypertension or to manage symptoms of urinary retention or difficulty urinating. As an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, doxazosin works by relaxing blood vessels and smooth muscle in the bladder neck and prostate in men, but it can also benefit women with urinary issues 1. The typical starting dose is 1 mg once daily, usually taken at bedtime, which may be gradually increased to 2-8 mg daily based on blood pressure response or urinary symptom improvement. Some key points to consider when prescribing doxazosin to female patients include:
- The potential for first-dose hypotension, which can be minimized by taking the initial dose at bedtime 1
- The risk of orthostatic hypotension, especially in older adults 1
- The potential benefits of combination therapy with a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor for patients with demonstrable prostatic enlargement 1
- The importance of monitoring for adverse events, such as headache, fatigue, and edema 1 Overall, doxazosin can be a useful treatment option for female patients with hypertension or urinary symptoms, but it should be used with caution and under close medical supervision.
From the Research
Indications for Doxazosin in Female Patients
- Doxazosin, an alpha-blocker, is primarily used to treat hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men 2, 3, 4.
- However, there is evidence to suggest that doxazosin may be prescribed to female patients for the treatment of hypertension 5, 2, 6, 3, 4.
Side Effects and Considerations
- A study found that female patients taking alpha-adrenoceptor blockers, including doxazosin, had a higher prevalence of urinary incontinence compared to those taking other medications 5.
- The study also found that withdrawal of alpha-adrenoceptor blockers led to the reversal of urinary incontinence symptoms in some patients 5.
- Doxazosin has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of hypertension, with a favorable effect on plasma lipid profiles 2, 4.
Therapeutic Uses
- Doxazosin can be used as a first-line therapy for mild to moderate essential hypertension 2.
- It can also be used as an add-on therapeutic agent in combination with other antihypertensive drugs 6.
- Doxazosin has been found to be effective in reducing blood pressure and influencing other risk factors for coronary heart disease 6.