Splitting Doxazosin (Cardura) 2mg Tablets
Yes, you can safely split a 2mg Cardura (doxazosin) tablet in half to achieve a 1mg dose.
Rationale for Splitting Doxazosin Tablets
Doxazosin (Cardura) is an alpha-1 blocker commonly used for hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The 2mg tablet can be divided when:
- Dose titration is needed (starting at lower doses)
- Dose adjustment is required for side effect management
- Individualized dosing between standard tablet strengths is necessary
Proper Technique for Splitting Doxazosin
For best results when splitting doxazosin:
- Use a pill splitter rather than breaking by hand for more accurate division 1
- Split along any score line if present
- Store split tablets in the original container
- Use split tablets within a reasonable timeframe
Dosing Considerations
Doxazosin is typically dosed as follows:
- Starting dose: 1mg once daily (half of a 2mg tablet) 2
- Maintenance dose: 1-16mg once daily 2
- Typical effective dose range: 4-8mg once daily 3
Starting with a lower dose (1mg) by splitting a 2mg tablet is particularly important because:
- It reduces the risk of first-dose hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure)
- It allows for gradual titration to minimize side effects
- It helps identify the minimum effective dose
Important Cautions
When using split doxazosin tablets:
- Be aware that splitting may result in slightly uneven doses 1
- Monitor for orthostatic hypotension, especially with the first dose
- Take the medication at the same time each day
- Avoid abrupt discontinuation
Side Effects to Monitor
Common side effects to watch for include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially when standing up quickly)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Swelling in extremities
Clinical Pearls
- Doxazosin can be taken with or without food 3
- The medication is typically taken once daily due to its long half-life 4
- For patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), doxazosin can help improve urinary symptoms while also treating hypertension 5
- Doxazosin has favorable effects on lipid profiles, potentially decreasing total cholesterol and triglycerides 6, 4
By following these guidelines, you can safely split a 2mg Cardura tablet to achieve a 1mg dose, which is particularly useful when initiating therapy or making fine adjustments to your treatment regimen.