Apo-Prazosin general information

What is Apo-Prazosin used for?

APO-Prazosin tablets 5mg are used to treat several conditions based on a similar mechanism of action, including hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), congestive heart failure, Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon. 

APO-Prazosin tablets 5mg are used to lower raised blood pressure in hypertension (high blood pressure when at rest), which reduces risk of cardiovascular disease like stroke and heart attack due to high blood pressure.  APO-Prazosin tablets 5mg can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics, particularly if other medications alone do not provide adequate control of blood pressure or if they are contraindicated. 

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg are also used to treat urinary outflow obstruction, which is a functional symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate gland.  Apo- Prazosin tablets 5mg relieves the symptoms of urinary retention caused by restricted urine flow as the prostate becomes enlarged and presses against the urethra (urine outlet tube from the bladder).  Reducing the pressure on the urethra helps urine to flow more easily, preventing urine backlog in the bladder and restoring bladder control.  This relieves symptoms like need for frequent urination, inability to empty the bladder, strain and difficulty passing urine.  The improved urine flow and reduction in symptoms may reduce the need for surgery. 

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg are also used to treat congestive heart failure, where the heart muscles are weakened and cannot pump efficiently, to reduce symptoms of breathlessness and help the heart pump more efficiently, particularly where other heart medications are no longer working or are contraindicated. 

Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon are conditions where the blood vessels in extremities of the body like the fingers and toes contract in response to cold or stress, limiting the blood supply and causing discolouration and loss of feeling.  Raynaud’s phenomenon is a symptom of another disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, whereas Raynaud’s disease occurs without a known cause.  Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg help relieve symptoms of Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon.

How does Apo-Prazosin work?

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg contain prazosin, a quinazoline derivative that acts as an alpha₅-blocker (also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonist).  Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg binds selectively to the alpha adrenergic receptor in smooth muscle found in the prostate gland and in blood vessel walls, which blocks the action of naturally occurring adrenergic chemicals like noradrenaline, a chemical that causes smooth muscle cells to contract and tighten.  This action of prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg allows peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation) thereby reducing peripheral resistance to blood flow and reducing workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, and this decreases blood pressure.  Relaxation of peripheral arteries as well as peripheral veins allows the heart to fill and empty more efficiently, and improves pumping efficiency of the heart in congestive heart failure.  Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg also causes relaxation of the blood vessels in the fingers and toes and prevents vasoconstriction (narrowing) responsible for symptoms in Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon.  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is due to overgrowth of the smooth muscle cells within the prostate gland and increased muscle tone of these cells.  Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg relaxes these muscle cells which relieves the pressure exerted by the enlarged prostate gland on the urethra (urine outlet tube from the bladder); and also causes muscle cells in the neck of the bladder to relax.  The action of Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg removes the blockage to urine flow caused by the prostate gland and allows urine to flow more freely through the urethra; it also relaxes the bladder neck, allowing urine to pass out of the bladder more easily. 

What does Apo-Prazosin contain?

Apo-Prazosin tablets contain the active ingredient prazosin 5mg, an alpha₅-blocker used to treat hypertension, congestive heart failure and Raynaud’s disease and phenomenon and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  They also contain lactose, polysorbate 80, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Apo-Prazosin

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg contain prazosin, an alpha₅-blocker (also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonist), that binds selectively to the alpha adrenergic receptor in smooth muscle found in blood vessel walls, and blocks the action of naturally occurring adrenergic chemicals like noradrenaline, a chemical that causes smooth muscle cells to contract and tighten.  This allows peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation) thereby reducing peripheral resistance to blood flow and reducing workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, and this decreases blood pressure.  The blood pressure-lowering action of Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg reduces risk cardiovascular disease like of stroke and heart attack due to high blood pressure.

Apo-Prazosin for urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg contain prazosin, an alpha₅-blocker (also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonist), that binds selectively to the alpha adrenergic receptor in smooth muscle found in the prostate gland, and blocks the action of naturally occurring adrenergic chemicals like noradrenaline, a chemical that causes smooth muscle cells to contract and tighten.  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is due to overgrowth of the smooth muscle cells within the prostate gland and increased muscle tone of these cells.  Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg relaxes these muscle cells which relieves the pressure exerted by the enlarged prostate gland on the urethra (urine outlet tube from the bladder); and also causes muscle cells in the neck of the bladder to relax.  This action removes the blockage to urine flow caused by the prostate gland and allows urine to flow more freely through the urethra; it also relaxes the bladder neck, allowing urine to pass out of the bladder more easily. 

APO-Prazosin for Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon

Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg contain prazosin, an alpha₅-blocker (also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonist), that binds selectively to the alpha adrenergic receptor in smooth muscle found in blood vessel walls, and blocks the action of naturally occurring adrenergic chemicals like noradrenaline, a chemical that causes smooth muscle cells to contract and tighten.  Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon are conditions where the blood vessels in extremities of the body like the fingers and toes contract in response to cold or stress, limiting the blood supply and causing discolouration and loss of feeling.  Raynaud’s phenomenon is a symptom of another disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, whereas Raynaud’s disease occurs without a known cause.  The action of Prazosin in Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg allows relaxation of the blood vessels in the fingers and toes and prevents vasoconstriction (narrowing), relieving symptoms of Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon.

What are the side effects of Apo-Prazosin?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg include postural hypotension (dizziness when standing up due to sudden drop in blood pressure), drowsiness, headache, palpitations, dry mouth, asthenia (physical weakness), fatigue, blurred vision, vertigo, nasal congestion, gastrointestinal upset (constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting), peripheral oedema, increased urinary frequency.

When should Apo-Prazosin not be used?

You should not use Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg if you:

• are allergic to prazosin or other quinazolines or any ingredients in Apo-Prazosin
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Apo-Prazosin including: phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors like sildenafil for erectile dysfunction, other antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, beta blockers and diuretics, as these may cause hypotension (low blood pressure)

How should Apo-Prazosin be taken?

You should take your APO-Prazosin tablets 5mg swallowed whole with a glass of water two to three times daily with or without food.  The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  Also your dose may be increased gradually, depending on what you are being treated for and how well your respond.  Your doctor will probably advise you to take a lower dose at first and then increase your dose.  You should continue to take your Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor. 

How long should you take Apo-Prazosin?

You should continue to take your Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor. 

Missed dose of Apo-Prazosin

If you miss a dose of Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Apo-Prazosin be stored?

You should store your Apo-Prazosin tablets 5mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.