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Doxazosin

Doxazosin is an alpha-1 blocker used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and, in tablet form, high blood pressure (hypertension).

Brand names CarduraCardura XL
Drug classes Adrenergic Alpha-antagonists
Rx Forms 2
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 69 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 6, 2026 🚨Recall on record · 2
Doxazosin at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Doxazosin (Cardura) is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes muscle in the prostate, bladder neck and blood vessels, easing urine flow with an enlarged prostate (BPH) and, as the regular tablet, lowering high blood pressure, an older standby on the market since about 1990, available generically, and now more often a blood pressure add-on than a first choice. Most people tolerate it well, and the side effects they notice are lightheadedness when standing and some tiredness. The one thing to watch is a sudden blood pressure drop on standing that can cause fainting, most likely within hours of the first dose or a dose increase, so get up slowly.

Clinical pearls

  • Before any cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon you take or have ever taken doxazosin, since it can affect the iris.
  • Sildenafil or tadalafil (erectile dysfunction drugs) can stack with doxazosin into dangerously low blood pressure, so your prescriber must know.
  • Cardura XL is approved for BPH only, is taken with breakfast and must be swallowed whole, never cut, crushed or chewed.
  • After missing several days, do not jump back to your usual dose, because the first-dose fainting risk returns.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet, Extended-release tablet
Earliest FDA record1990
Companies listing it with the FDA31
FDA label last updatedJan 20, 2022
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Doxazosin, written from its FDA label.

What Doxazosin is used for

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Doxazosin is approved for the following conditions across its available products:

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Doxazosin tablets (Cardura, Doxazosin, Doxazosin mesylate) and Cardura XL (extended-release tablet) both treat the urinary symptoms of BPH — such as weak stream, hesitancy, frequent urination, nighttime urination, urgency, and incomplete bladder emptying.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension): Doxazosin tablets (Cardura, Doxazosin, Doxazosin mesylate) are approved to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Cardura XL is not approved for this use.
  • Doxazosin tablets can be used in BPH patients whether or not they also have high blood pressure — both conditions can be treated together with the tablet form.

How Doxazosin works

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Doxazosin selectively blocks alpha-1 adrenergic receptors — proteins found on the surface of smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls, the prostate, and the bladder neck. In BPH, blocking these receptors relaxes the tightened muscle tone in the prostate and bladder neck, which reduces resistance to urine flow and relieves symptoms. In high blood pressure, blocking the same receptors causes blood vessels throughout the body to relax and widen, lowering the pressure inside them.

Because alpha-1 receptors are scarce in the main bladder wall (outside the neck), doxazosin can relax the outlet without weakening the bladder's ability to contract and push urine out.

Doxazosin dosage

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Doxazosin is taken by mouth once daily. Tablets (Cardura, Doxazosin, Doxazosin mesylate) can be taken in the morning or evening, with or without food. Cardura XL (extended-release) must be taken with breakfast and swallowed whole — never chewed, cut, or crushed.

  • Your prescriber will start you at a low dose and increase it gradually, with blood pressure checks after each change.
  • If you miss several days of doses, do not jump back to where you left off — restart at the beginning dose as your prescriber instructs.
  • Do not adjust your own dose; changes are made slowly to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Doxazosin prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - doxazosin mesylate tablets (Cardura)
    • Initiate at 1 mg once daily, either in the morning or evening
    • Depending on urodynamics and BPH symptomatology, the dose may be titrated at 1 to 2 week intervals to 2 mg, and thereafter to 4 mg and 8 mg once daily
    • Maximum: 8 mg once daily
    • Monitor blood pressure for at least 6 hours after the initial dose and each dose increase; if discontinued for several days, restart with the initial dosing regimen
  • Hypertension - doxazosin mesylate tablets (Cardura)
    • Initiate at 1 mg once daily
    • Daily dosage may be doubled up to 16 mg once daily, as needed, to achieve the desired reduction in blood pressure (1 to 16 mg once daily
    • 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, 16 mg)
    • Maximum: 16 mg once daily
    • Doses beyond 4 mg increase the likelihood of excessive postural effects, including syncope, postural dizziness/vertigo and postural hypotension; if discontinued for several days, restart with the initial dosing regimen
  • BPH - Cardura XL (extended-release tablets), initial therapy
    • 4 mg once daily with breakfast
    • Depending on symptomatic response and tolerability, may be increased to 8 mg
    • Recommended titration interval is 3-4 weeks
    • Maximum: 8 mg
    • Swallow whole; do not chew, divide, cut, or crush; if discontinued for several days, restart at 4 mg once daily
  • Patients switching from CARDURA (immediate-release) to CARDURA XL
    • Initiate therapy with the lowest dose (4 mg once daily)
    • The final evening dose of CARDURA should not be taken before starting CARDURA XL
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION DOSAGE MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED. The initial dosage of doxazosin tablets in patients with hypertension and/or BPH is 1 mg given once daily in the a.m. or p.m. This starting dose is intended to minimize the frequency of postural hypotension and first-dose syncope associated with doxazosin tablets. Postural effects are most likely to occur between 2 and 6 hours after a dose. Therefore, blood pressure measurements should be taken during this time period after the first dose and with each increase in dose. If doxazosin tablets administration is discontinued for several days, therapy should be restarted using the initial dosing regimen. Concomitant administration of doxazosin tablets with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension; therefore, PDE-5 inhibitor therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose in patients taking doxazosin tablets. A. BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA 1 to 8 mg once daily The initial dosage of doxazosin tablet is 1 mg, given once daily in the a.m. or p.m. Depending on the individual patient's urodynamics and BPH symptomatology, dosage may then be increased to 2 mg and thereafter to 4 mg and 8 mg once daily, the maximum recommended dose for BPH. The recommended titration interval is 1 to 2 weeks. Blood pressure should be evaluated routinely in these patients. B. HYPERTENSION 1 to 16 mg once daily The initial dosage of doxazosin tablet is 1 mg given once daily. Depending on the individual patient's standing blood pressure response (based on measurements taken at 2 to 6 hours post-dose and 24 hours post-dose), dosage may then be increased to 2 mg and thereafter if necessary to 4 mg, 8 mg and 16 mg to achieve the desired reduction in blood pressure. Increases in dose beyond 4 mg increase the likelihood of excessive postural effects, including syncope, postural dizziness/vertigo and postural hypotension. At a titrated dose of 16 mg once daily, the frequency of postural effects is about 12% compared to 3% for placebo.

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Doxazosin side effects

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The most commonly reported side effects include:

Common side effects

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Headache
  • Swelling (edema)
  • Drowsiness (somnolence)
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Dry mouth

When to get medical help

  • Fainting (syncope) — especially after the first dose or a dose increase; lie down and call for help if this happens
  • Severe drop in blood pressure when standing (postural hypotension) — symptoms include dizziness, spinning sensation, or near-fainting
  • Prolonged, painful erection (priapism) — seek emergency care immediately, as permanent impotence can result
  • Signs of an allergic reaction — rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat
  • If you are scheduled for cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon you take or have taken doxazosin — it can affect the iris during surgery

Doxazosin warnings and precautions

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  • Postural hypotension and fainting: Blood pressure can drop sharply — especially after the first dose or a dose increase — causing dizziness or fainting. Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions. Avoid hazardous activities during dose adjustments.
  • Priapism (prolonged painful erection): Though rare, this is a medical emergency. If an erection lasts several hours and is not relieved normally, go to the emergency room immediately — untreated priapism can cause permanent impotence.
  • Cataract surgery risk (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome): Doxazosin can cause the iris to behave unpredictably during cataract surgery, even after the medication is stopped. Always tell your eye surgeon you take or have taken this drug.
  • Prostate cancer screening: Before starting doxazosin for BPH, prostate cancer should be ruled out — both conditions can cause similar symptoms.
  • Liver impairment: Doxazosin is heavily metabolized by the liver. Use is not recommended in severe liver impairment; monitor for low blood pressure with milder liver problems.

Doxazosin interactions

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Doxazosin can interact with other medicines that affect blood pressure or liver processing:

  • PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil — used for erectile dysfunction): Combined use can cause an additive, potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure. If needed, start the PDE-5 inhibitor at the lowest possible dose.
  • Other antihypertensive medicines (diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors): Added blood pressure lowering; generally used together under medical supervision, but monitor for excessive drops.
  • Cimetidine (a stomach acid reducer): Can modestly raise doxazosin blood levels; clinical significance is uncertain but worth noting.
  • Finasteride (another BPH medicine): Both drugs are highly protein-bound and liver-metabolized; definitive interaction data are limited.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Doxazosin prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • PDE-5 inhibitors: Concomitant administration can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. Initiate PDE-5 inhibitor therapy at the lowest dose in patients taking doxazosin.
  • Cimetidine: In normal volunteers, a single 1 mg dose of doxazosin with oral cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) resulted in a 10% increase in mean AUC of doxazosin, and a slight but not statistically significant increase in mean Cmax and half-life; the clinical significance is unknown.
  • Digoxin, warfarin, phenytoin, indomethacin: In vitro data in human plasma indicate that doxazosin has no effect on their protein binding.
  • Thiazide diuretics, beta-blocking agents, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Doxazosin has been administered without any evidence of an adverse drug interaction.
  • Finasteride and other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: There is no definitive controlled clinical experience on concomitant use of alpha 1 inhibitors and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors; both are highly protein-bound and hepatically metabolized.
  • Other highly plasma protein-bound drugs: There is no information on the effect of other highly plasma protein-bound drugs on doxazosin binding.
  • Prostate-specific antigen (laboratory test): Doxazosin does not affect the plasma concentration of prostate-specific antigen in patients treated for up to 3 years.
  • Other concomitant medications used in clinical trials (analgesics/anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antihistamines, cardiovascular agents, corticosteroids, antacids, hypoglycemics and endocrine drugs, sedatives and tranquilizers, cold and flu remedies): No formal interaction studies were conducted, but no interactions were observed in clinical trials.
Read the label’s full interactions text

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Doxazosin does not affect the plasma concentration of prostate-specific antigen in patients treated for up to 3 years. Both doxazosin, an alpha 1 inhibitor, and finasteride, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, are highly protein-bound and hepatically metabolized. There is no definitive controlled clinical experience on the concomitant use of alpha 1 inhibitors and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors at this time.

Drug Interactions Most (98%) of plasma doxazosin is protein bound. In vitro data in human plasma indicate that doxazosin has no effect on protein binding of digoxin, warfarin, phenytoin, or indomethacin. There is no information on the effect of other highly plasma protein- bound drugs on doxazosin binding. Doxazosin has been administered without any evidence of an adverse drug interaction to patients receiving thiazide diuretics, beta-blocking agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In a placebo-controlled trial in normal volunteers, the administration of a single 1 mg dose of doxazosin on day 1 of a four-day regimen of oral cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) resulted in a 10% increase in mean AUC of doxazosin (p=0.006), and a slight but not statistically significant increase in mean C max and mean half-life of doxazosin. The clinical significance of this increase in doxazosin AUC is unknown. In clinical trials, doxazosin tablets have been administered to patients on a variety of concomitant medications; while no formal interaction studies have been conducted, no interactions were observed.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿137 supplements and herbs with documented Doxazosin interactions, ranked by severity Check Doxazosin against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Doxazosin

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  • Allergy to quinazolines: Do not take doxazosin if you are allergic to it, prazosin, terazosin, or any other quinazoline-type medicine.
  • Cataract surgery: Tell any eye surgeon you take or have taken doxazosin — it can affect the iris during the procedure even after stopping the drug.
  • Liver disease: Doxazosin is not recommended if you have severe liver impairment; milder liver problems require careful blood pressure monitoring.
  • Pregnancy: Limited human safety data exist. Untreated high blood pressure in pregnancy carries serious risks, so discuss the balance of risks and benefits with your doctor.
  • Breastfeeding: Doxazosin may be present in breast milk in small amounts; talk to your doctor about whether to continue the medication while nursing.
  • Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.
  • Older adults: Start at the lowest dose; older patients may be more sensitive to blood pressure drops and are at higher risk of dizziness and falls.
  • Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer should be excluded before starting doxazosin for BPH.

Doxazosin overdose

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Taking too much doxazosin would most likely cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure (hypotension), which could lead to fainting or, in severe cases, serious complications. If an overdose is suspected, emergency supportive care — usually intravenous fluids — is the main treatment. Because doxazosin binds tightly to proteins in the blood, dialysis would not be effective at removing it from the body.

What Doxazosin does in the body

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Doxazosin works by blocking alpha-1 receptors in smooth muscle, causing relaxation of the prostate, bladder neck, and blood vessel walls. In BPH, this reduces resistance to urine flow; meaningful symptom relief can begin within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment. In high blood pressure, the main effect is a reduction in systemic vascular resistance — the force the heart must push against — which lowers blood pressure readings. Because alpha-1 receptors are sparse in the main bladder wall, normal bladder contraction is generally preserved.

How your body processes Doxazosin

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After taking a doxazosin tablet by mouth, blood levels peak at around 2 to 3 hours. About 65% of the dose reaches the bloodstream — the rest is processed by the liver on its first pass. Doxazosin is 98% bound to proteins in the blood and is extensively broken down by the liver, mainly through CYP3A4 enzymes, before being eliminated primarily in the feces (about 63%) and a smaller amount in the urine (about 9%). The drug has a long half-life of roughly 22 hours, which is why it works well as a once-daily medicine. Food slightly reduces peak levels but not in a clinically meaningful way.

How to store Doxazosin

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Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) .

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

137

Supplements & herbs that interact with Doxazosin

137 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Doxazosin in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 4
  • Moderate · 112
  • Minor · 21
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major AMERICAN HELLEBORE Major AMERICAN MISTLETOE Major TYRAMINE Major ADRAFINIL Moderate AGMATINE Moderate ALGAL OIL Moderate ANDROGRAPHIS Moderate +129 more
Every supplement checked against Doxazosin — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 4 major · 112 moderate · 21 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Doxazosin against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

1

Nutrient depletion considerations

Doxazosin has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

COENZYME Q10 Insufficient Evidence
See the full Doxazosin nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Doxazosin: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Doxazosin — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly is doxazosin used for?

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Doxazosin tablets are used for two main things: relieving the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH) — things like a weak stream, frequent urges to urinate, or waking up at night to use the bathroom — and lowering high blood pressure. If your doctor prescribed Cardura XL, the extended-release version, that one is only for BPH, not blood pressure. Your pharmacist or prescriber can confirm which use applies to you.

I felt really dizzy after my first dose — is that normal?

▾
Yes, that's actually one of the most common things people notice, especially with the first dose or after a dose increase. Doxazosin can cause your blood pressure to drop when you stand up quickly — called postural hypotension — which makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded. It tends to happen within the first few hours after taking a dose. To lower the risk, rise slowly from sitting or lying down, and avoid situations where a fainting spell could hurt you. If dizziness is severe or you actually faint, contact your prescriber right away.

Does it matter what time of day I take it?

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For regular doxazosin tablets, you can take them either in the morning or the evening — just pick a consistent time and stick with it. If you're taking Cardura XL (the extended-release tablet), that one specifically needs to be taken with breakfast. And remember, Cardura XL must be swallowed whole — don't chew, cut, or crush it or it won't work properly.

Can I take my erectile dysfunction medication while on doxazosin?

▾
You need to be careful here. Drugs like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or similar PDE-5 inhibitors can combine with doxazosin to cause a significant drop in blood pressure — sometimes dangerously low. It's not necessarily a hard stop, but if your doctor decides both are needed, they'll typically start the erectile dysfunction drug at the very lowest dose. Make sure both your prescribing doctors and your pharmacist know you take both.

I'm scheduled to have cataract surgery — does doxazosin affect that?

▾
Yes — this is really important to mention. Doxazosin can cause something called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, where the iris muscle behaves differently during surgery and can complicate the procedure. The tricky part is that this can happen even if you've already stopped the medication. Tell your eye surgeon before any cataract procedure that you take or have ever taken doxazosin, so they can be prepared and adjust their technique if needed.

What side effects should make me call my doctor versus just ride out?

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Mild dizziness, fatigue, headache, or slight swelling in your legs are common and often settle down as your body adjusts — these are worth mentioning at your next visit but usually aren't emergencies. However, call for help right away if you actually faint, if your dizziness is severe, or if you develop a prolonged painful erection lasting more than a few hours (priapism) — that last one is a medical emergency that needs immediate care. Also let your doctor know quickly if you notice major swelling, a fast heartbeat, or feel like your blood pressure might be dangerously low.

Is Doxazosin available over the counter?

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No. Doxazosin is a prescription medicine: every Doxazosin product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Doxazosin first available?

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The earliest FDA record we hold for Doxazosin is from 1990: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Doxazosin was first used.

Who makes Doxazosin?

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31 companies currently list Doxazosin products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including A-S Medication Solutions, Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC, Bryant Ranch Prepack. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Doxazosin on HelloPharmacist

📊Doxazosin supplement interactions137 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerDoxazosin vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Doxazosin NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Doxazosin Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Doxazosin forms and strengths (how it comes)

Doxazosin is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Doxazosin inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Cardura
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Cardura tablets are approved to treat signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Cardura tablets are approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Doxazosin tablets are approved to treat BPH urinary symptoms including weak stream, urgency, and nighttime urination
  • Doxazosin tablets are approved to treat high blood pressure and may be used alone or with other antihypertensives
Important instructions
  • Doxazosin and Cardura tablets are taken once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food
  • Blood pressure should be monitored for several hours after the first dose and after any dose increase
  • If you stop taking Doxazosin or Cardura tablets for several days, restart at the beginning dose as directed by your prescriber
  • Cardura tablets may be used alone or combined with other blood pressure medicines as directed
Available strengths 4 strengths
1 mg 2 mg 4 mg 8 mg
268 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Extended-release tablet

By mouth
Brands Cardura
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Cardura XL is approved only for the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Cardura XL is not approved for the treatment of high blood pressure
Important instructions
  • Cardura XL is taken once daily with breakfast
  • Cardura XL tablets must be swallowed whole — do not chew, cut, crush, or divide them
  • If Cardura XL is stopped for several days, restart at the lowest dose as directed by your prescriber
  • If switching from Cardura immediate-release tablets to Cardura XL, skip the final evening dose of Cardura before starting Cardura XL
Available strengths 2 strengths
4 mg 8 mg
6 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Doxazosin on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Doxazosin appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

31 companies list 129 Doxazosin product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet, extended-release tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1990. Brand names on the directory include Cardura, Cardura XL; the rest are generics.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
31
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
4
Brand names
129
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1990
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (7) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

A-S Medication Solutions9%
Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC8%
Bryant Ranch Prepack7%
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.5%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.5%
Viatris Specialty LLC5%
Other makers61%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Doxazosin is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Doxazosin is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Doxazosin is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

163,836
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$1.8M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Doxazosin prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Doxazosin ranks #423 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 74% of them.

Where Doxazosin ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #423 of 1,601
#418 Linagliptin 168,433 Rx #419 Diazepam Nasal Spray 167,415 Rx #420 Bupivacaine 166,102 Rx #421 Cefadroxil 165,523 Rx #422 Phenobarbital 164,240 Rx #423 Doxazosin 163,836 Rx #424 Fludrocortisone Acetat... 163,820 Rx #425 Ritonavir 162,610 Rx #426 Ursodiol 159,875 Rx #427 Tobramycin Ophthalmic 159,866 Rx #428 Nitrofurantoin 157,792 Rx

Utilization by Doxazosin product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 2 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Doxazosin product — about 34% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

doxazosin 2 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

55,910 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 34% of Doxazosin prescriptions shown $570,532 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $10 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 14 of 112 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197626

doxazosin 4 MG Oral Tablet

53,059 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 32% of Doxazosin prescriptions shown $590,653 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 111 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197627

doxazosin 1 MG Oral Tablet

36,163 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 22% of Doxazosin prescriptions shown $374,898 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $10 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 59 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197625

doxazosin 8 MG Oral Tablet

18,681 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 11% of Doxazosin prescriptions shown $212,729 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 11 of 56 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 197628

24 HR doxazosin 4 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

23 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Doxazosin prescriptions shown $5,831 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $254 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 636360

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Doxazosin, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 52 of 341 listed Doxazosin NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Doxazosin products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Doxazosin — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 129 of 129 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 129 Doxazosin NDCs →

Doxazosin side effects reported to the FDA (FAERS)

After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Doxazosin — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.

The effects most often named in FDA reports that mention Doxazosin are dyspnoea, dizziness, fatigue; about 83% of the reports were classed as serious. These are voluntary reports, so they show what people report, not how often it happens.

35,891
Reports mentioning it
83%
Reported as serious
12
Distinct effects shown
Most reported effects
Dyspnoea
1,985
Dizziness
1,738
Fatigue
1,724
Diarrhoea
1,679
Nausea
1,479
Hypotension
1,308
Asthenia
1,267
Acute Kidney Injury
1,258
Headache
1,252
Hypertension
1,154
Age groups
Elderly · 3,299Adult · 1,431Child · 17Neonate · 14Adolescent · 13Infant · 5

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Doxazosin in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Doxazosin FDA approval history

How Doxazosin went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.

Doxazosin was first approved by the FDA in 1990 (Brand: CARDURA · Viatris); the first generic version was approved in 2000. It remains available in U.S. pharmacies today.

1990
Brand approved
Brand: CARDURA · Viatris
2000
First generic approved
Lower-cost ANDA competition begins
2026
Available today
Active in U.S. pharmacies

Source: Drugs@FDA.

Doxazosin recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 4 Doxazosin recalls since July 2021, covering 8 product listings. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class III Jan 21, 2026 · Unichem Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Tablets/Capsules Imprinted with Wrong ID
  • Doxazosin Tablets, USP, 4 mg, 1000 tablets per bottle, Rx only, distributed by Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., 1 Tower Center Boulevard, Suite 2200, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 USA, manufactured by… Lots: Lot # GDSH25006, Exp Date: 08/2027 FDA record D-0306-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Mar 16, 2023 · Northwind Pharmaceuticals LLC
CGMP Deviations
  • Doxazosin Tablets, USP, 4mg, 30-count bottles, Rx Only, Repackaged By: Northwind Pharmaceuticals, Indianapolis, IN 46203. NDC 51655-109-52 Lots: Lot#: F107752201, Exp. Date 05/31/2024 FDA record D-0550-2023 →
Class II Dec 23, 2024 · Terminated · Viatris Inc
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Out of specification results observed for the impurity compound B during stability testing.
  • Cardura XL (doxazosin) extended release tablets 4 mg, 30 -count bottle, Rx only, Distributed by Viatris Specialty LLC, Morgantown, WV 26505, NDC 58151-078-93 Lots: Lot# 8182298, Exp 10/31/2025 FDA record D-0204-2025 →
  • Cardura XL (doxazosin) extended release tablets 8 mg, 30-count bottle, Rx only, Distributed by Viatris Specialty LLC, Morgantown, WV 26505, NDC 58151-079-93 Lots: Lot # 8181625, Exp 12/31/2025 FDA record D-0203-2025 →
Class II Feb 7, 2023 · Terminated · Accord Healthcare, Inc.
CGMP Deviations: recalling drug products following an FDA inspection.
  • Doxazosin Tablets USP, 8 mg, Rx Only, Packaged in: a) 100 Tablets NDC 16729-415-01 UPC 3 16729 41501 9; b) 1,000 Tablets NDC 16729-415-17 UPC 3 16729 41517 0; Manufactured for: Accord Healthcare, Inc… Lots: Batches: a) R2200672, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200673, Exp. Date 9/30/2024; R2201097, Exp. Date 7/31/2025; b) R2200678, Exp. Date 10/31/2024; FDA record D-0389-2023 →
  • Doxazosin Tablets USP, 4 mg, Rx Only, Packaged as: a) 100-count bottle NDC 16729-213-01 UPC 3 16729 21301 1; b) 1,000-count bottle NDC 16729-213-17 UPC 3 16729 21317 2; Manufactured for: Accord Healt… Lots: Batches: a) R2200352, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200356, Exp. Date 8/31/2024; R2200357, Exp. Date 8/31/2024; R2200633, Exp. Date 4/30/2025; R2200634, Exp. Date 4/30/2025; b) R2200677,Exp. Date 8/31/2024; R2200572,Exp. Date 4/30/2025; R2200571,… FDA record D-0388-2023 →
  • Doxazosin Tablets USP, 2 mg, Rx Only, Packaged as: a) 100-count bottle NDC 16729-414-01 UPC 3 16729 41401 2; b) 1,000-count NDC 16729-414-17 UPC 3 16729 41417 3; Manufactured for: Accord Healthcare,… Lots: Batches: a) R2200401, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200675, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200676 Exp. Date 11/30/2024; R2201070, Exp. Date 7/31/2025; b) R2200680, Exp. Date 9/30/2024; FDA record D-0387-2023 →
  • Doxazosin Tablets USP 1 mg, Rx Only, Packaged as: a) 100-count bottle NDC 16729-211-01 UPC 3 16729 21101 7; b) 1,000-count bottle NDC 16729-211-17 UPC 3 16729 21117 8; Manufactured for: Accord Health… Lots: Batches: a) R2200402, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200642, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; R2200643 Exp. Date 8/31/2024; R2201300 Exp. Date 8/31/2024; b) R2200403, Exp. Date 5/31/2024; FDA record D-0386-2023 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Doxazosin RxCUI 49276 2 dose forms · 6 strengths
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 371961 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG RxCUI 197625 2 MG RxCUI 197626 4 MG RxCUI 197627 8 MG RxCUI 197628

Look up RxCUI 49276 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Doxazosin costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 1 mg $0.075 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated, Extended Release · Oral 4 mg $6.99 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Doxazosin brand names

Doxazosin is sold under 2 brand names in the FDA directory — Cardura, Cardura XL. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Cardura Cardura XL

Who makes Doxazosin: manufacturers and labelers

31 companies list Doxazosin products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are A-S Medication Solutions, Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC, Bryant Ranch Prepack. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

A-S Medication Solutions 11 Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC 10 Bryant Ranch Prepack 9 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 7 NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 7 Viatris Specialty LLC 6 Accord Healthcare Inc. 4 Apotex Corp. 4 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 4 AvPAK 4 Chartwell RX, LLC 4 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 4 Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 Remedyrepack Inc. 4 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 4 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 4 Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. 4 Upsher-Smith laboratories, LLC 4 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 4 Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 4 American Health Packaging 3 AvKARE 3 Major Pharmaceuticals 3 Northwind Health Company, LLC 3

…and 7 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Doxazosin drug class (RxNorm)

Doxazosin belongs to the alpha-Adrenergic Blocker class.

Pharmacologic class alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
Drug family (ATC) Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists
How it works Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Doxazosin page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jan 20, 2022
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Doxazosin.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Doxazosin after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
69
Finished products in the current FDA directory
129
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
31
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
34
Linked representative label ⓘ
Roerig
Linked label effective
Jan 20, 2022
Composite sections available
25
Linked SPL Set ID
eefc47bc-c10f-49bb-8ef7-5999f798ab39
Linked SPL Document ID
82ce1cc2-6905-465d-9a2a-9f2415af59a0
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Roerig is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →