INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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This leaflet answers some common questions about DOSAN. It does not contain
all the information available on this medicine. It does not take the place of
talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits.
Your doctor has weighed the risks of using DOSAN against the benefits expected
it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.
Your DOSAN tablets contain the active ingredient doxazosin mesylate. It belongs to a group of medicines known as alpha adrenoceptor blockers.
DOSAN is used to reduce blood pressure, and works by dilating blood vessels. It can also help to improve prostatic problems in men.
Your doctor may, however, prescribe DOSAN for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why DOSAN has been prescribed for you.
There is no evidence that DOSAN is addictive.
DOSAN is available on prescription from your doctor.
Do not take DOSAN if:
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, asthma, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Tell your doctor if:
If you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking DOSAN.
Your doctor will tell you how much DOSAN you need to take each day. It is important that you take DOSAN as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose.
The usual starting dose is 1mg given once daily for one or two weeks. The dose can then be increased in gradual intervals until a satisfactory response is achieved. The usual dose is 2-4mg per day.
Use in children is not recommended, as there is no evidence for this.
Your doctor may tell you to take different doses to these. If so, follow their instructions.
The number of tablets taken depends on the dose regime. However, doses must be taken everyday unless told otherwise.
DOSAN helps to control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore DOSAN must be taken everyday. Continue taking DOSAN for as long as your doctor tells you to.
If you forget a dose, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take more than one dose at a time to make up for missed doses.
Taking your medicine at the same time each day may help you to remember to take it regularly. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask you pharmacist for some hints.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking DOSAN
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking DOSAN before you start any new medicine.
Tell your doctor if you develop a skin rash or hives, or you become pregnant while taking DOSAN.
If you are going to have a surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking DOSAN.
If you are going to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking DOSAN
Do not take DOSAN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking DOSAN or lower the dose without first checking with your doctor.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
DOSAN may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. Be careful when driving, operating machinery or performing jobs that need you to be alert, until you are certain that DOSAN does not affect your performance.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking DOSAN.
All medicines can have some unwanted effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
These are the more common side effects of DOSAN.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
These side effects are rare but serious. You may need urgent medical attention.
The list of side effects mentioned above is not complete. If you should suffer from any of these side effects or any other undesired effect please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
You should only take the number of tablets that you have been told.
Immediately contact your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the Emergency department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else has taken any DOSAN by mistake. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Take the container of DOSAN with you if you can.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date shown on the label or if the packaging shows signs of tampering.
Keep your DOSAN tablets in the container until it is time to take them.
Store below 25°C and out of reach of children. Avoid exposure to heat, light and moisture.
Do not store DOSAN, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking DOSAN or if the tablets have passed the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with the remaining medicine.
DOSAN 2mg tablets are white, capsule shaped tablets, engraved with "DX/2" on one side and plain on the other.
DOSAN 4mg tablets are white, capsule shaped tablets, engraved with "DX/4" on one side and plain on the other.
Each DOSAN tablet contains the active ingredient, doxazosin mesylate.
Each DOSAN tablet also contains lactose anhydrous, sodium lauryl sulphate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate and magnesium stearate.
Should you have any questions regarding this product, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Distributed in New Zealand by:
Pacific Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
P O Box 11183,
Ellerslie,
Auckland.
Telephone: (09) 579 2792
25 November 2004
(Based on datasheet dated December 1999)