Minipress

Minipress is an antihypertensive generally used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure brings more work to the heart and arteries. When left untreated, the heart and arteries may stop functioning well.

This can result in damage to the blood vessels of the heart, brain, and kidneys, which may cause a stroke, kidney failure, or heart failure. By lowering blood pressure, the risk of strokes and heart attacks are decreased.

Used alone or with other antihypertensives, prazosin works by relaxing the blood vessels, enabling the blood to pass through them more easily. Like most medicines for hypertension, this drug is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Before using Minipress, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Like any other medications, using Minipress should be a decision you make with your doctor. The risks and benefits the medicine offer must be weighed.

For Minipress, you and your doctor must consider the following:

Allergies. If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, including prazosin, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - foods, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Pediatric. There are no appropriate studies done to establish safety and effectiveness of telmisartan intake in children.

Geriatric. Most recent appropriate studies have not shown geriatric-specific problems that would hinder the effects of prazosin in the elderly.

Pregnancy. Studies demonstrated a risk to the fetus when used by pregnant women. The benefits of the drug, however, may outweigh the potential risk if the pregnant woman is in a life-threatening situation.

Breastfeeding. Although there are no adequate studies in lactating mothers that determine potential risk in an infant when breastfeeding, the potential benefits should be weighed against the risks before taking this medication.

Drug Interactions. Certain medicines have adverse effects when used together. Nevertheless, it is still possible to take other medicines when taking prazosin. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary.

Before taking this drug, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Other Interactions. Using this medicine with other substance, such as tobacco and alcohol; or with certain foods, may cause interactions. Ask your doctor about the risks if you are smoking or drinking alcohol, or if there are certain foods you have to avoid when taking this drug.

Other medical problems. If you have other health problems, your condition may affect the use of prazosin. Inform your doctor about any other condition, especially angina, heart disease, or postural hypotension.

Also, inform your doctor if you are having cataract surgery or is diagnosed with floppy iris syndrome or IFIS. Patients with kidney disease may experience increased side effects; make sure to inform your doctor about it.

To use Minipress properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Apart from using this medicine, your doctor may also advise adding your high blood pressure treatment with weight control and diet changes. Talk to your doctor about the best thing to do to help lower your blood pressure and keep it within normal levels.

Most people with hypertension do not notice any signs of the condition and many of them feel normal. Regardless of what you feel, you must take this medicine exactly as directed.

Also, doctor regularly for checkups, even if you are feeling well. This medicine does not cure hypertension, it only lowers your blood pressure and keeps it down. Chances are, you may need this medication for the rest of your life, so remember to take it every day.

Dosing:

The dose of prazosin depends on the patient's age, weight, and symptoms, as well as the strength of the medicine. Do not change the dosage the doctor indicated unless he or she told you otherwise.

The number of doses and the number of hours between doses generally depend on the reason why you are taking prazosin. Generally, dosage will be as follows:

For adults with high blood pressure, your doctor may initially prescribe taking 1 mg 2-3 times a day and may increase the dose gradually as needed.

The maximum dose for adults does not usually exceed 20 mg a day. Dosage for children is determined by the doctor.

Missed dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. In case it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and follow your regular dosing schedule. Never take double doses.

Storage:

Keep the medicine in an airtight container at normal room temperature. Keep it away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Do not let it freeze.

Do not take it out from the blister pack unless it is your time to take the medicine. Keep the medicine out of children’s reach.

Before using Minipress, there are some precautions you must take. Regular checkups with your doctor are important to keep track of your progress and to determine if the medicine is working properly. You may also want to tell your doctor about any unwanted side effects.

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting may occur, particularly when you suddenly get up from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms may greatly diminish by simply getting up slowly.

While you are taking this medicine, avoid alcohol intake or limit the amount you drink. Moreover, you have to take extra precaution when exercising, or during hot weather.

The medicine may make you drowsy or less alert so avoids driving, using machines, or doing anything that may be dangerous when you are less alert than normal.

Prazosin may affect certain medical test results, let your doctor or dentist know that you are taking it before any procedure is done.

Do not take other medications, including non-prescription and prescription drugs, vitamins, and supplements, without further discussions with your doctor.

If you are a male, a prolonged or painful erection that lasts for 4 hours and longer may require prompt medical attention. Contact your doctor immediately if this happens.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Minipress to avoid unwanted potential side effects. Not all people may suffer from these side effects, but if they do, immediate medical attention may be needed.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you encounter any of the following:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Fainting
• Lack of energy
• Pounding heartbeat
• Dryness of the mouth
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Nervousness
• Loss of bladder control
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Trouble breathing
• Frequent urge to urinate nausea
• Chest pain
• Painful or prolonged erection of the penis

While most of these side effects usually diminish as the body adjusts to the drug, calling your doctor may be needed.

Some patients may experience side effects not listed above. If you want to report side effects, you may do so by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.