Minipress (Prazosin)

The amount of MINIPRESS you take will depend on your doctor's instructions. A typical dosing schedule may look like this:

For high blood pressure:

• Adults: Start with 0.5-1 milligrams (mg), two or three times a day. Then, your doctor will slowly increase your dose to 6-15 mg, divided into two or three doses a day. However, the total daily dose is usually not more than 20 mg.
• Children: The dose will be based on body weight. The usual dose is 50-400 micrograms per kilogram of body weight a day. This is typically divided into two or three doses.

MINIPRESS Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or an emergency room immediately.

Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of MINIPRESS, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double up" and take more than one dose at a time.

Common Side Effects of MINIPRESS:

Some less serious side effects of MINIPRESS include:

• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Serious Side Effects of MINIPRESS:

You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Fast or pounding heartbeat or fluttering in your chest
• Feeling like you might pass out
• Trouble breathing
• Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet
• An erection that is painful or lasts four or more hours

You may feel dizzy when you first start MINIPRESS, since it lowers blood pressure. This effect usually stops once your body gets used to the medication. Try not to stand up too quickly.

Older patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of MINIPRESS, especially dizziness and fainting, which can increase the risk of falling.

Before taking this drug, you should tell your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions:

• Heart problems
• Low blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Narcolepsy
• Prostate cancer

You should tell your doctor that you are taking this medication before having surgery, including eye surgery.

Don't stop taking MINIPRESS without first consulting your physician. Because some conditions may worsen when the medication is stopped abruptly, your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Pregnancy and MINIPRESS

MINIPRESS should only be used during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. The drug passes through breast milk.

Some drugs that may interact with MINIPRESS include:

• Beta blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Toprol-XL), propranolol (Inderal)
• Verapamil (Calan)
• Erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension meds
• Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (llermax, Banophen, Benadryl)
• Anti-seizure drugs, such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol)
• Drugs for sleep or anxiety, such as alprazolam (Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR), diazepam (Valium), zolpidem (Ambien)
• Muscle relaxants
• Narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine)
• Psychiatric meds, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), risperidone (Risperdal), amitriptyline (Elavil), trazodone (Desyrel)

Check the labels on all of your medications because they may contain ingredients that can increase your blood pressure or cause a fast heartbeat. This drug may also interfere with certain lab tests, so you should tell laboratory personnel you are taking MINIPRESS.

You should also discuss all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional or dietary drugs you are taking with your doctor.

MINIPRESS and Other Interactions

This drug may impair your vision and make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or perform any other activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can do so safely. You should also limit your alcohol intake while taking MINIPRESS.