Minipress/Prazosin IS USED FOR:

Treating high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Prazosin/Minipress is an alpha-blocker. The exact way it works is unknown, but it is thought to block a chemical in the body, causing blood vessels and the muscles around the urethra to relax. This helps to lower blood pressure and to improve urinary symptoms associated with enlargement of the prostate (BPH).

BEFORE USING Minipress/Prazosin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Prazosin/Minipress . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have chest pain, heart disease, narcolepsy, or kidney problems
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Prazosin/Minipress . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Modafinil because its effectiveness may be decreased by Prazosin/Minipress
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol/Inderal la), bupivacaine, nifedipine/Procardia, or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil/Viagra) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Indomethacin/Indocin cr because the effectiveness of Prazosin/Minipress may be decreased
• Verapamil/Calan sr because the actions and side effects of Prazosin/Minipress may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Prazosin/Minipress may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Minipress/Prazosin :

Use Prazosin/Minipress as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Prazosin/Minipress may be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Prazosin/Minipress , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Prazosin/Minipress .

DO NOT USE Minipress/Prazosin IF:

• you are taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, vardenafil/Levitra, tadalafil/Tadalis sx) or modafinil
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Prazosin/Minipress

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Minipress/Prazosin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; flushing; frequent urination; headache; lack of energy; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; nervousness; nosebleed; stuffy nose; swelling; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; fainting; pounding heartbeat; puffiness in hands or feet; rapid heartbeat.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Use Prazosin/Minipress with extreme caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Drinking alcohol, standing for long periods of time, exercising, and exposing yourself to hot weather can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting while you are taking Prazosin/Minipress .
• Avoid engaging in any hazardous tasks for at least 24 hours after taking the first dose, missing several doses, increasing the dose, or taking other high blood pressure medications.
• Prazosin/Minipress may cause dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Prazosin/Minipress . Using Prazosin/Minipress alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired and run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medicine even though you may not feel quite "normal."
• Prazosin/Minipress is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Prazosin/Minipress may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting after the first dose. Take the first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up and stand slowly. Continue to sit up and stand slowly while you are taking Prazosin/Minipress .
• Before drinking alcohol, discuss it with your doctor.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Prazosin/Minipress during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding, check with your doctor to discuss the risks to your baby.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.