Cardura tablets are an effective oral medication used to treat specific medical conditions related to the circulatory system, making them a valuable tool in healthcare. This medication belongs to an important class of drugs known as alpha-adrenergic blockers. Cardura is characterized by its ability to directly affect blood vessels, primarily by dilating them. This effect leads to two main benefits: First, it helps lower high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Second, it facilitates smoother blood flow, reducing the workload on the heart and improving overall circulation. This medication is primarily used to treat two common conditions: high blood pressure (hypertension) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), two conditions that can significantly impact patients' quality of life.
The active ingredient in Cardura tablets
Cardura tablets contain the active ingredient doxazosin, a chemical compound that acts as a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker. These receptors are part of the sympathetic nervous system and are found in the walls of blood vessels and in the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck. Doxazosin works by binding to these receptors and blocking the action of natural hormones such as noradrenaline and adrenaline on them. This mechanism leads to specific therapeutic effects:
Vasodilation and reduction of resistance to blood flow: By blocking alpha-1 receptors located in the walls of blood vessels, doxazosin relaxes the smooth muscles surrounding these vessels. This relaxation causes the blood vessels to dilate, reducing the resistance encountered by blood flow. As a result, blood pressure decreases, reducing the effort the heart must exert to pump blood throughout the body. This effect is particularly important in the treatment of high blood pressure.
Effects on the prostate and bladder and relief of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: In addition to its effect on blood vessels, doxazosin plays an important role in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Alpha-1 receptors are also found in the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck. When these receptors are blocked by doxazosin, these muscles relax. This relaxation reduces pressure on the urethra, facilitating urination and relieving symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as difficulty starting urination, weak urine flow, dribbling after urination, frequent urination during the day and night, and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Available Strengths
Cardura tablets are available in various strengths to provide flexibility in determining the appropriate dosage for each patient based on their individual medical condition and response to treatment. Common strengths available on the market include:
1 mg
2 mg
4 mg
The choice of strength and dosage depends on a careful assessment by the physician, who will consider factors such as the severity of the condition, other medications the patient is taking, the patient's medical history, and their initial response to the medication. Treatment is usually started at a low dose to reduce the risk of side effects, especially dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, and then gradually increased under close medical supervision until the desired therapeutic benefit is achieved with minimal side effects.