Hi everyone
Has anyone been using Doxazosin for high blood pressure?
I am a 76 year old female and have been taking Candesartan 24mg. My BP is still averaging 144/84 and my GP wants me to try Doxazosin to lower it further. I’m not able to take CCB’s, BB’s ruined my QOL, ACE are pretty much the same as the ARB I’m taking (and having no issues with) and I won’t take diuretics, as I have paroxysmal AF and think being dehydrated is one of my triggers.
Any thoughts would be gratefully received…..
You could talk to a pharmacist to explore what taking this new medication might mean for you, especially since you be able to share your medical history in more detail. And the pharmacist will have knowledge of any interactions with other medication you taking. That way you should get a professional opinion independent of your GP.
Thank you, I will do that
I was on the alpha blocker, Doxazosin, for some time combined with a beta blocker and then changed to a potassium sparing diuretic with the beta blocker. That combination controls my BP better. All three are regarded I believe as old fashioned treatments for hypertension. But Doxazosin is sometimes used in elderly men with hypertension (not women) because it can also help with urinary problems. It can cause a sudden drop in BP so is used with caution in the elderly. Also, it is necessary to come off it in advance of cataract surgery because it can cause something called Floppy Iris Syndrome. If your GP wants you to try it, why not but at the lowest possible dose? I didn't have any problems. It was just that a beta blocker + diuretic worked better for me than a beta blocker + alpha blocker. If for some reason the diuretic were causing me a problem, I would revert to Doxazosin. I should say that I am only a little younger than you and my average BP is rather lower than yours but I personally wouldn't worry too much about an average of 144 / 84. I think the real problems happen in the elderly when the systolic is above 150 but that does not sit well with the current NICE guidelines. You say a beta blocker affects your quality of life. I wonder which one you are on. The very latest Nebivolol is thought not to have the side effects normally associated with beta blockers.
Thanks very much for your detailed reply.
I was on Bisoprolol, and felt exhausted, couldn’t walk up a hill without many rests, and every half an hour or so, I had a tight, overwhelming feeling in my chest that made me stop whatever I was doing and wait until it passed. I’ve, since stopping the BB, had an echo and my heart is fine. A PhD biology friend thinks the chest feeling may have been to do with adrenaline….. Who knows!
Thank you for the warning about cataract surgery. I’m soon to have it, and had seen on the drug leaflet that I shouldn’t take Doxazosin at the moment, so I have time to consider. Perhaps my BP will be lower when I’m not worried about the surgery! (I’m not being neurotic, I have moderate glaucoma and other issues which increase the risks of the surgery)
I will also look into Nebivolol.
Thanks again for your reply.
When I first tried a beta blocker, it was Bisoprolol . I was also then taking Candesartan but I read that this was not a particularly effective combination and a better one with an ARB was the latest beta blocker, Nebivolol. I was on that for sometime but I have a slight hand tremor so I saw a neurologist to rule out Parkinsons which she did. She also suggested that the beta blocker, Propranolol, might help with the hand tremor as well as my hypertension. Propranolol was the first ever beta blocker and is very safe but a nuisance because two or three doses are needed each day. It does though help with the hand tremor and that's the one I am on now on. I don't have any problems, nor indeed with the others I have previously taken. I think it very important to take beta blockers at the lowest possible dose. There may be a tendancy for them to be prescribed at too high a dose for hypertesion and this causes side effects. Good luck
Hi I am 66 female and my cardiologist started me on doxazosin for my blood pressure on September last year, my BP had always been great until I had surgery early last year and after that it wouldn't come down. I have to admit I hated taking it at first and used to miss taking it as I felt sick in the morning, I then gave myself a shake and a good talking to as I know exactly what high BP can do, after about three months of taking it everything settled down although I still think it makes me a bit more tired but maybe thats age 😅, it's now part of my pill routine as it's doing the job fine and my consultant is happy that it's working. Char
I also take 24 Candesartan, which is fine, and reacted very badly to CCBs. Six months ago the GP prescribed Doxazosin (I'm female) and haven't had any obvious side effects. But everyone is different.
Yes indeed we are but it’s good to hear you’ve been ok on Doxazosin. When I read the leaflet, it sounded pretty grim, but I guess every drug has to list side effects and not everyone suffers them.
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post
You're most welcome.
Good morning Puckaster. I have been on Doxazosin 4mg. 1 tablet morning and teatime. On these for b.p and also to protect my kidney disease. Been taking them for over 2 years and no problems. I do take them after food. I found a bit sickly taking them on an empty stomach and had a word with my pharmacy. Brian
That sounds encouraging. I have to wait to start them as I have cataract surgery booked soon, but it sounds as though they may do the trick.
Kind of you to take the time to reply to my post Brian.
Thank you!
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