cardura xl
Pharmaranks rates Cardura XL 3.4/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Cardura XL (Doxazosin Mesylate) is an alpha-adrenergic blocker used to treat Hypertension, Prostatic Hyperplasia, Urinary Retention.
Doxazosin Mesylate · by Viatris
Available as a generic: Doxazosin Mesylate
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Doxazosin Mesylate
- Drug class
- Alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
- Form
- Tablet, extended release
- Strength
- Doxazosin Mesylate EQ 4MG Base · Doxazosin Mesylate EQ 8MG Base
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- hypertension, prostatic hyperplasia, urinary retention
- Manufacturer
- Viatris
- Half-life
- about 22 hours (terminal/beta phase) (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$2.57 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA021269
What is Cardura XL?
From the FDA label:CARDURA XL contains doxazosin which is a quinazoline compound with the chemical name 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylcarbonyl) piperazine methanesulfonate. The empirical formula for doxazosin mesylate is C 23 H 25 N 5 O 5 • CH 4 O 3 S and the molecular weight is 547.6. It has the following structure: CARDURA XL is an extended-release tablet for oral use and is designed to deliver 4 or 8 mg of doxazosin as the free base. Each 4 and 8 mg tablet contains 5.1 and 10.2 mg doxazosin mesylate (includes a 5% overage) to ensure the labeled dose of 4 and 8 mg doxazosin as the free base (equivalent to 4.9 and 9.8 mg of doxazosin mesylate), is delivered. The inactive ingredients for CARDURA XL are black iron oxide, cellulose acetate, hypromellose, Macrogol ® , magnesium stearate, pharmaceutical glaze, polyethylene oxide, red ferric oxide, sodium chloride and titanium dioxide. CARDURA XL System Components and Performance CARDURA XL is similar in appearance to a conventional tablet. It consists, however, of an osmotically active drug core surrounded by a semipermeable membrane. The core itself is divided into two layers: an “active” layer containing the drug, and a “push” layer containing pharmacologically inert (but osmotically active) components. The membrane surrounding the tablet is permeable to water, but not to drug or osmotic excipients. As water from…
How to use
Recommended starting dose (initial therapy or switching from immediate-release): 4 mg once daily with breakfast ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Dose range: 4 to 8 mg once daily ( 2.1 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information The initial dose of CARDURA XL, 4 mg given once daily, should be administered with breakfast. Depending on the patient’s symptomatic response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 8 mg, the maximum recommended dose. The recommended titration interval is 3-4 weeks. If CARDURA XL administration is discontinued for several days, therapy should be restarted using the 4 mg once daily dose. Tablets should be swallowed whole, and must not be chewed, divided, cut, or crushed. 2.2 Patients Switching from CARDURA to CARDURA XL If switching from CARDURA immediate-release (IR) to CARDURA XL, therapy should be initiated with the lowest dose (4 mg once daily). Prior to starting therapy with CARDURA XL, the final evening dose of CARDURA should not be taken. 2.3 Concomitant Administration with PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL 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 CARDURA XL.
Side effects
The most commonly reported adverse reactions from clinical trials are asthenia, headache, hypotension, and dizziness. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viatris at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The incidence of adverse reactions was derived from two controlled efficacy and safety trials involving 1473 BPH patients. In Study 1, CARDURA XL (n = 317) was compared to doxazosin IR tablets (n = 322) and to placebo (n = 156). In Study 2, CARDURA XL (n = 350) was compared just to doxazosin IR tablets (n = 330). In both of these studies, CARDURA XL was initiated at a dose of 4 mg, which could be increased by the investigator to 8 mg after seven weeks if an adequate response was not seen [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Similarly, doxazosin IR was begun at a dose of 1 mg, which was increased in all patients to 2 mg after 1 week, followed by the option to increase to 4 mg after 4 weeks, and 8 mg after 7 weeks. The most commonly reported adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in the CARDURA XL group were…
Warnings
Important safety information
Postural hypotension with or without syncope may occur in the first few hours after administration. ( 5.1 ) Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients. Advise patients considering cataract surgery to tell their ophthalmologist that they have taken CARDURA XL tablets. ( 5.2 ) Caution should be used when administering to patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing or coronary insufficiency. ( 5.3 , 5.7 ) Advise patients to be screened for the presence of prostate cancer prior to treatment and at regular intervals afterwards. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension with or without symptoms (e.g., dizziness) may develop within a few hours following administration of CARDURA XL. However, infrequently, symptomatic postural hypotension has also been reported later than a few hours after dosing. As with other alpha-blockers, there is a potential for syncope, especially after the initial dose or after an increase in dosage strength. Patients should be warned of the possible occurrence of such events and should avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur. Care should be taken when CARDURA XL is administered to patients with symptomatic hypotension or patients who have had a hypotensive response to other medications. 5.2 Cataract Surgery Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha 1 blockers. This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient’s surgeon should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances. There does not appear to be a benefit from stopping alpha 1 blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery. 5.3 Gastrointestinal Disorders As with any other non-deformable material, caution should be used when administering CARDURA XL to patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing (pathologic or iatrogenic). There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of another drug in this non-deformable extended-release formulation. Markedly increased GI retention times, as may occur in patients with chronic constipation, can increase systemic exposure to doxazosin and thereby potentially increase adverse reactions. 5.4 Prostate Cancer Carcinoma of the prostate causes many of the same symptoms associated with BPH and the two disorders frequently co-exist. Carcinoma of the prostate should therefore be ruled out prior to commencing therapy with CARDURA XL. 5.5 PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. Pharmacodynamic interactions between CARDURA XL and antihypertensive medications or other vasodilating agents have not been determined. 5.6 Patients with Hepatic Impairment CARDURA XL is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be administered with caution to patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.7 Patients with Coronary Insufficiency Patients with congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, or acute myocardial infarction within the last 6 months were excluded from the Phase 3 studies. If symptoms of angina pectoris should newly appear or worsen, CARDURA XL should be discontinued. 5.8 CYP 3A4 Inhibitors Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong CYP 3A4 inhibitor, such as atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or voriconazole. 5.9 Priapism Rarely (probably less frequently than once in every several thousand patients), alpha-1 antagonists, including doxazosin, have been associated with priapism (painful penile erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation). Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not promptly treated, patients must be advised about the seriousness of the condition.
Who should not take Cardura XL
CARDURA XL is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to doxazosin, other quinazolines (e.g., prazosin, terazosin), or any of the inert ingredients. Allergic reactions to doxazosin and other quinazolines have included skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, and respiratory symptoms [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Patients with known sensitivity to doxazosin, other quinazolines, or any of the inert ingredients ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There is no experience with CARDURA XL overdosage. Overdosage experience with the doxazosin IR is limited. Two adolescents who each intentionally ingested 40 mg doxazosin IR with diclofenac or paracetamol were treated with gastric lavage with activated charcoal and made full recoveries. A two-year-old child who accidentally ingested 4 mg doxazosin IR was treated with gastric lavage and remained normotensive during the five-hour emergency room observation period. A six-month-old child accidentally received a crushed 1 mg tablet of doxazosin IR and was reported to have been drowsy. A 32-year-old female with chronic renal failure, epilepsy, and depression intentionally ingested 60 mg doxazosin IR (blood level 0.9 µg/mL; normal values in hypertensives = 0.02 µg/mL); death was attributed to a grand mal seizure resulting from hypotension. A 39-year-old female who ingested 70 mg doxazosin IR, alcohol, and Dalmane ® (flurazepam) developed hypotension which responded to fluid therapy. The most likely manifestation of overdosage would be hypotension, for which the usual treatment would be intravenous infusion of fluid, keeping the patient in the supine position, and in certain circumstances, the administration of vasopressors. As doxazosin is highly protein bound, dialysis would not be indicated.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor. ( 7.1 ) Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 CYP 3A4 Inhibitors No in vivo drug interaction studies were conducted with CARDURA XL. In vitro studies suggest that doxazosin is a substrate of CYP 3A4. Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong CYP 3A4 inhibitor, such as atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or voriconazole [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Antihypertensive Medications Pharmacodynamic interactions between CARDURA XL and antihypertensive medications or other vasodilating agents have not been determined. 7.3 PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] .
How long does Doxazosin Mesylate stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of doxazosin mesylate is about 22 hours (terminal/beta phase) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. The label states plasma elimination is biphasic and reports the terminal (beta) elimination half-life of about 22 hours — not the distribution phase. The parent compound doxazosin is primarily responsible for the drug's activity; several active metabolites exist but circulate at low concentrations and their pharmacokinetics have not been characterized, so no active metabolite is reported to outlast the parent. Populations: half-life is unchanged in older adults (65+ vs under 65 are similar) and in renal impairment (no significant alterations). Hepatic impairment: mild cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A) raises doxazosin exposure ~40%; the effect of moderate-to-severe (Child-Pugh B/C) impairment is not known.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: Doxazosin label — DailyMed (Clinical Pharmacology 12.3, Excretion).
Drug class
How this class works, per Alpha-Blockers - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Cardura XL ranks — best-rated alpha-adrenergic blocker for:
Dosage forms
Tablet, extended release
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Cardura XL treat?
- Cardura XL (Doxazosin Mesylate) may be used to treat hypertension, prostatic hyperplasia, urinary retention, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Cardura XL work?
- Cardura XL is a alpha-adrenergic blocker. Alpha-adrenergic blockers block the alpha-1 receptors that adrenaline-like signals use to tighten muscle in blood vessels and the prostate. This relaxes those muscles, lowering blood pressure and easing urine flow in men with an enlarged prostate.
- How is Cardura XL rated?
- pharmaranks gives Cardura XL a composite score of 3.4 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Cardura XL cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $2.57 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Coreg — about $0.63 on the same basis.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Cardura XL?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Cardura XL. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Cardura XL?
- Cardura XL is marketed by Viatris. You can see Viatris's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Cardura XL a brand-name or generic drug?
- Cardura XL is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Doxazosin Mesylate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Doxazosin Mesylate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Cardura XL available over the counter?
- No. Cardura XL is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Cardura XL come in?
- Cardura XL is currently marketed as tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Cardura XL?
- Cardura XL is classified as alpha-adrenergic blocker, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Cardura XL FDA-registered?
- Cardura XL is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021269. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Cardura XL been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Cardura XL has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Cardura XL safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Cardura XL a recall-safety score of 68/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Cardura XL?
- Cardura XL's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The most commonly reported adverse reactions from clinical trials are asthenia, headache, hypotension, and dizziness. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viatris at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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