GENERIC NAME: PRAZOSIN - ORAL (PRAY-zoh-sin)

BRAND NAME(S): Minipress

Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert

USES: Prazosin relaxes and expands blood vessels. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

OTHER USES: This drug may also be used for congestive heart failure or Raynaud's disease. This drug can also be used in males for symptoms of prostate enlargement such as urinary hesitancy and/or urgency.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Try to take it at the same time each day. Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting. Capsules may be taken with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue, nasal congestion or dry eyes may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor promptly if you develop: chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficulty urinating, skin rash, swelling of the hands or feet, ringing in the ears. Males - though it is unlikely to occur, if you get a painful, prolonged erection, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

High Blood Pressure - High Blood Pressure: Medical information about hypertension, its treatment, therapies and prevention Source:MedicineNet Raynaud's Phenomenon - Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP) is a condition in which the fingers and/or the toes change color after exposure to temperature changes or emotional events. The skin discoloration occurs when the blood vessels spasm, causing a diminished blood supply to the local tissues. The digit(s) first turn white because of the diminished blood supply, then they turn blue because of prolonged lack of oxygen, and finally, they turn red when the blood vessels reopen, causing a local "flushing" phenomenon. RP primarily affects women, and its cause is unknown. Protecting the fingers and the toes from cold, trauma, and infection prevents complications from Raynaud's phenomenon. Source:MedicineNet Read 13 more prazosin-oral related articles ... So Much to Do, So Little Sleep Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play Health Tip: The Word on Wisdom Teeth Health Tip: Make Exercise a Daily Habit New Source of Heart Stem Cells Found Health Highlights: June 23, 2008 Poorer Patients Have Poorer Survival After Cancer Diagnosis One Gene May Be Key to Myeloma Crocodile Babies Cry Out for Hatching Immune Molecule Key to Preventing Organ Rejection