Doxazosin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Intolerable side effects from doxazosin of weakness, depression (on antidepressants but this drug has worsened my condition). Blurred vision, headaches, right side stomach pain, insomnia. I am 86 years of age and my life is miserable on this drug."

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Have had high blood pressure for a number of years. Now 68, been on labetalol 200mg 2x a day and enalapril 10mg 2x a day. Have high epinephrine and metanephrine. Endo doc switched my medication to doxazosin 4mg at night. I have taken it for only 2 days, pulse went up to 120 and blood pressure went up, not down. I'm still on the enalapril dose. I feel dizzy, sick to my stomach, and have a headache mostly in the back of my head. The doctor talks about raising the doxazosin dosage to 8mg, there's no way, I weigh 155 lbs and I'm 5'9"."

• jos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Had hypertensive crisis one year ago. Hospital added amlodipine to my existing BP meds of candesartan, propranolol, and swapped the frusemide for bendroflumethiazide. Amlodipine caused my ankles to swell, so I asked for an alternative. Prescribed 1 mg Doxazosin and have had 10 months of a living nightmare. I experienced feeling very hot, sweating, red face, palpitations, swollen fingers, severe headaches, depression, and anxiety. My BP dropped like a stone after taking the meds, and I was giddy and faint, and then BP rose steadily throughout the day, so by 4:00 p.m. BP was very high and remained high until I took the med the following morning. Repeatedly made calls to GP, but my symptoms were dismissed during telephone appointments with numerous doctors at the surgery and was told I was over-anxious and to persevere. I finally arranged and spoke to a doctor in a private consultation, and after taking my history, was told to stop the doxazosin immediately. 48 hours later, BP normal, no flushing, sweating, or swelling."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I'm taking 2 mg of Doxazosin, and it increased my urine flow and decreased my trips to the bathroom. It also reduced my blood pressure from 150/60 to 130/60. I increased my dosage to 4 mg in an attempt to reduce my blood pressure even more, but the side effects (fatigue, headaches, blurry vision) were too extreme, so I decreased my dosage back to 2 mg. I experience no side effects at the 2 mg dosage. Overall, I think this is a fine drug for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and mildly/moderately high blood pressure."

• Hyp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have historically had higher blood pressure (BP), normally in the mid-130s, though in the doctor's office, it can increase to the 150s. I am 75 and have been on amlodipine and irbesartan for over 10 years and tolerated it well. My doctor recently added doxazosin 1 mg once a day. Within 3 weeks, side effects became more evident, e.g., headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. I was advised by my doctor to stop taking it. I have been off the medication for 48 hours and am feeling better with decreasing side effects. Still a little light-headed and tired. BP is in my typical mid to high 130s. Doxazosin is not well tolerated by my body. Still on amlodipine and irbesartan. I think I should work on weight reduction versus adding another BP med. I am 195 lbs and will try to get to 180 by year-end."