Cardura is used for:

Treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Cardura is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms.

Do NOT use Cardura if:

you are allergic to any ingredient of Cardura or to similar medicines (eg, prazosin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cardura :

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have prostate cancer, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or liver disorders

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cardura . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.
Cimetidine or verapamil because side effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness may occur.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, vardenafil) because severe low blood pressure may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if this medicine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cardura :

Use Cardura as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Cardura by mouth with or without food.
Cardura may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the very first dose. Take your first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly.
Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor. This includes any herbal preparations or dietary supplements.
If you miss a dose of Cardura , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cardura .

Important safety information:

Cardura may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cardura with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur if you stand up too fast from lying or sitting. If this occurs, get up slowly and avoid sudden posture changes. These effects will more likely occur while you are taking the first few doses or if you have increased your dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking Cardura . They can also occur if you stop taking the medicine and restart treatment.
Before drinking alcohol, discuss it with your doctor. Alcohol may worsen dizziness and lightheadedness.
Be careful during exercise, hot weather, and if you must stand for long periods of time.
Avoid situations where fainting could cause injury. If fainting occurs, lie down and stop taking this medication until you talk with your doctor.
Cardura may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Cardura . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Cardura should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cardura while you are pregnant. It is not known if Cardura is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Cardura , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cardura :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; flu-like symptoms; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; pain; stomach pain; swelling; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; chest pain; fainting; painful and prolonged penile erection; pounding in the chest; puffiness in hands or feet; swelling of eyelids.