Cardura

Overdose

Should overdosage lead to hypotension, the patient should be immediately placed in a supine, head down position. Other supportive measures may be appropriate in individual cases.

If this measure is inadequate, shock should first be treated with volume expanders. If necessary, vasopressor should then be used. Renal function should be monitored and supported as needed.

Since doxazosin is highly protein bound, dialysis is not indicated.

Shelf life

5 years.

Cardura price

Average cost of Cardura 1 mg per unit in online pharmacies is from 1.01$ to 1.71$, per pack from 38$ to 123$.

Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

List of excipients

Lactose

Magnesium stearate

Microcrystalline cellulose

Sodium lauril sulfate

Sodium starch glycollate

Undesirable effects

Hypertension: In clinical trials involving patients with hypertension, the most common reactions associated with Cardura therapy were of a postural type (rarely associated with fainting) or non-specific.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Experience in controlled clinical trials in BPH indicates a similar adverse event profile to that seen in hypertension.

The following undesirable effects have been observed and reported during treatment with Cardura with the following frequencies: Very common (>1/10); common (>1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000).

System Organ Class

Very Common

(>1/10)

Common

(>1/100 to <1/10)

Uncommon

(>1/1,000 to <1/100)

Rare

(>1/10,000 to <1/1,000)

Very Rare

(<1/10,000)

Unknown

Infections and infestations

Respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection

Blood and the lymphatic system disorders

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

Immune system disorders

Allergic drug reaction

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Gout, increased appetite, anorexia

Psychiatric disorders

Agitation, depression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness

Nervous system disorders

Somnolence dizziness, headache

Cerebrovascular accident, hypoesthesia, syncope, tremor

Dizziness postural, paresthesia

Eye disorders

Blurred vision

Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Vertigo

Tinnitus

Cardiac disorders

Palpitation, tachycardia

Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction

Bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias

Vascular disorders

Hypotension, postural hypotension

Hot flushes

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, rhinitis

Epistaxis,

Bronchospasm

Gastrointestinal disorders

Abdominal pain, dyspepsia, dry mouth, nausea

Constipation, flatulence, vomiting, gastroenteritis diarrhoea

Hepato-biliary disorders

Abnormal liver function tests

Cholestasis, hepatitis, jaundice,

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Pruritus

Skin rash,

Urticaria, alopecia, purpura

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders

Back pain, myalgia

Arthralgia

Muscle cramps, muscle weakness

Renal and urinary disorders

Cystitis, urinary incontinence

Dysuria, micturition frequency, hematuria,

Polyuria

Increased diuresis, micturition disorder, nocturia

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Impotence

Gynecomastia, priapism

Retrograde ejaculation

General disorders and administration site conditions

Asthenia, chest pain, influenza-like symptoms, peripheral oedema

Pain, facial oedema

Fatigue, malaise

Investigations

Weight increase

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Preclinical safety data

Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional animal studies in safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity.

Although no teratogenic effects were seen in animal testing, reduced foetal survival was observed in animals at doses approximately 300 times greater than the maximum human recommended dose.

Studies in lactating rats given a single oral dose of radioactive doxazosin indicate that doxazosin accumulates in rat milk with a maximum of concentration about 20 times greater than the maternal plasma concentration.

Pharmacotherapeutic group

Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists, ATC code: C02CA04

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists, ATC code: C02CA04

Mechanism of action

Doxazosin is a potent and selective post-junctional alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonist. This action results in a decrease in systemic blood pressure. Cardura is appropriate for oral administration in a once daily regimen in patients with essential hypertension.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Cardura has been shown to be free of adverse metabolic effects and is suitable for use in patients with coexistent diabetes mellitus, gout and insulin resistance.

Cardura is suitable for use in patients with co-existent asthma, left ventricular hypertrophy and in elderly patients. Treatment with Cardura has been shown to result in regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, inhibition of platelet aggregation and enhanced activity of tissue plasminogen activator. Additionally, Cardura improves insulin sensitivity in patients with impairment.

Cardura, in addition to its antihypertensive effect, has in long term studies produced a modest reduction in plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and therefore may be of particular benefit to hypertensive patients with concomitant hyperlipidaemia.

Administration of Cardura to patients with symptomatic BPH results in a significant improvement in urodynamics and symptoms. The effect in BPH is thought to result from selective blockade of the alpha-adrenoceptors located in the muscular stroma and capsule of the prostate, and in the bladder neck.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption: Following oral administration in humans (young male adults or the elderly of either sex), doxazosin is well absorbed and approximately two thirds of the dose is bioavailable.

Biotransformation/Elimination: Approximately 98% of doxazosin is protein-bound in plasma.

Doxazosin is extensively metabolised in man and in the animal species tested, with the faeces being the predominant route of excretion.

The mean plasma elimination half-life is 22 hours thus making the drug suitable for once daily administration.

After oral administration of doxazosin the plasma concentrations of the metabolites are low. The most active (6' hydroxy) metabolite is present in man at one fortieth of the plasma concentration of the parent compound, which suggests that the antihypertensive activity is in the main due to doxazosin.

There are only limited data in patients with liver impairment and on the effects of drugs known to influence hepatic metabolism (e.g. cimetidine). In a clinical study in 12 subjects with moderate hepatic impairment, single dose administration of doxazosin resulted in an increase in AUC of 43% and a decrease in apparent oral clearance of 40%. As with any drug wholly metabolised by the liver, doxazosin should be administered with caution to patients with impaired liver function.

Date of revision of the text

08/2017

Marketing authorisation holder

Pfizer Limited

Ramsgate Road

Sandwich

Kent, CT13 9NJ

United Kingdom

Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30°C.

Nature and contents of container

Calendar packs of 28 tablets. Aluminium/PVC/PVdC blister strips, 14 tablets/strip, 2 strips in a carton box.

Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 00057/0277

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

For the hypertension indication:

Pregnancy

As there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, the safety of Cardura during pregnancy has not yet been established. Accordingly, during pregnancy, Cardura should be used only when, in the opinion of the physician, the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. Although no teratogenic effects were seen in animal testing, reduced foetal survival was observed in animals at extremely high doses.

Breast-feeding

The excretion of doxazosin in breast milk was demonstrated to be very low (with the relative infant dose less than 1%) however human data is very limited. A risk to the newborn or infant cannot be excluded and therefore doxazosin should be used only when in the opinion of the physician, the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk.

For the benign prostatic hyperplasia indication: This section is not applicable

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

The ability to drive or use machinery may be impaired, especially when initiating therapy.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.

Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

11 October 2006