Cardura Xl

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

CARDURA XL, 4 mg, prolonged-release tablets

CARDURA XL, 8 mg, prolonged-release tablets

(Doxazosin)

Read the package leaflet carefully before taking the medicine, as it contains important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of Contents of the Leaflet

• 1. What is CARDURA XL and what is it used for
• 2. Important information before taking CARDURA XL
• 3. How to take CARDURA XL
• 4. Possible side effects
• 5. How to store CARDURA XL
• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is CARDURA XL and what is it used for

Doxazosin, the active substance of CARDURA XL, belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-adrenergic blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels, reducing peripheral resistance, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
CARDURA XL is also an antagonist of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the prostate and neck (urethral part) of the bladder. It reduces symptoms associated with difficulty in urinating and improves urodynamic test results (related to urine flow).
CARDURA XL is indicated for the treatment of:

• essential hypertension,
• symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

2. Important information before taking CARDURA XL

When not to take CARDURA XL

if you are allergic to the active substance or quinazoline derivatives (such as prazosin, terazosin), or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6),
in patients with a history of orthostatic hypotension,
in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with concurrent upper urinary tract obstruction, chronic urinary tract infections, or bladder stones,
in patients with a history of gastrointestinal obstruction, esophageal obstruction, or gastrointestinal narrowing of any degree,
in patients with hypotension.
CARDURA XL is contraindicated in monotherapy in patients with overflow incontinence, anuria without progressive renal failure, or with it.

Warnings and precautions

Before starting treatment with CARDURA XL, discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.
At the beginning of treatment, orthostatic hypotension may occur, manifested by dizziness, weakness, and rarely fainting. Your doctor may recommend blood pressure monitoring at the start of therapy.
In patients with severe heart disease (pulmonary edema caused by aortic stenosis or mitral stenosis, heart failure with high minute volume, right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary embolism or pericardial effusion, left ventricular failure with low filling pressure), rapid and significant lowering of blood pressure may cause worsening of angina symptoms.
In patients with proven liver failure, doxazosin administration is not recommended.
In patients taking PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil - drugs used for impotence), as symptomatic hypotension may occur.
Prolonged, painful erections can occur very rarely. In such a case, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Before starting treatment with CARDURA XL, your doctor may perform tests to rule out other diseases, including prostate cancer, which can cause symptoms similar to those of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

During cataract surgery
During cataract surgery in some patients taking tamsulosin, an "intraoperative floppy iris syndrome" (a variant of the small pupil syndrome) has been observed. Before the procedure, you should tell your ophthalmologist about taking alpha-adrenergic blockers.

Children and adolescents

CARDURA XL is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, as the safety and efficacy of this age group have not been established.

CARDURA XL and other medicines

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking CARDURA XL if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may change the effect of CARDURA XL:

• PDE-5 inhibitors, used to treat erectile dysfunction, e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil (see "Warnings and precautions");
• blood pressure-lowering medicines;
• antibiotics or antifungals, e.g., clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, telithromycin, voriconazole;
• HIV treatments, e.g., indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir;
• nefazodone, a medicine used to treat depression,
• vasodilators or nitrates (medicines used for heart disease).

Doxazosin binds to plasma proteins by 98%. In vitro studies have not shown that doxazosin affects the binding of digoxin, warfarin, phenytoin, or indomethacin to plasma proteins.
During the administration of standard doxazosin in clinical trials, no interactions were found with thiazide diuretics, furosemide, beta-adrenergic blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, oral hypoglycemic agents (used in diabetes), uricosuric agents, and anticoagulants.
CARDURA XL enhances the blood pressure-lowering effect of other alpha-adrenergic blockers and other antihypertensive drugs.
Clinical trials have shown that doxazosin has a beneficial effect on lipids, significantly reducing total triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL fraction levels in serum. Doxazosin treatment has a beneficial effect on hypertension and lipid levels, resulting in a reduced risk of coronary artery disease.
Some patients taking alpha-adrenergic blockers for high blood pressure or prostate enlargement may experience dizziness or a feeling of emptiness in the head, which may be caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by rapid changes in body position when sitting or standing. Some patients have experienced these symptoms when taking alpha-adrenergic blockers with drugs used for erectile dysfunction (impotence). To minimize the risk of these symptoms, it is recommended to take daily doses of alpha-adrenergic blockers regularly before starting treatment with drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, have recently taken, or plan to take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to have a child, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
The use of CARDURA XL has not been evaluated in pregnant women.
Doxazosin passes into human milk in small amounts. Breastfeeding women should not take this medicine unless their doctor decides otherwise.

Driving and using machines

Due to individual reactions to the active substance, the ability to perform tasks such as driving vehicles and operating machines, or performing specific types of work that require maintaining balance, may be impaired, especially at the beginning of treatment, after dose increase, switching to another medicine, or when consuming alcohol.

CARDURA XL contains sodium

The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, which means the medicine is considered "sodium-free".

3. How to take CARDURA XL

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Swallow the tablets whole, do not chew, divide, or crush them. The active substance in CARDURA XL tablets is inside an inert, non-absorbable coating that allows controlled, slow release of the medicine from the tablet. After passing through the gastrointestinal tract, the empty tablet shell is excreted. The presence of tablet residues in the stool should not be a cause for concern.
Essential hypertension
For most patients, normalization of blood pressure occurs during treatment with a dose of 4 mg once daily. Optimal effect may occur within 4 weeks. Then, if necessary and depending on the patient's response, the doctor may increase the dose to 8 mg of doxazosin per day. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg of doxazosin per day.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Treatment should be started with a dose of 4 mg once daily. Depending on the patient's response, the doctor may increase the dose to 8 mg of doxazosin once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 8 mg of doxazosin once daily.
CARDURA XL can be taken by patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, regardless of whether they have hypertension or not. Changes in blood pressure values in patients with normal blood pressure and prostate enlargement are usually very small. The use of CARDURA XL in monotherapy (as the only medicine) is effective in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension.

Taking the medicine with food and drink

CARDURA XL can be taken with or without food.

Use in children and adolescents

CARDURA XL is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Patients with renal impairment

No dose adjustment is necessary in patients with renal impairment. However, the dose of the medicine should be as low as possible, and any dose increase should be done under close medical supervision.

Patients with hepatic impairment

Caution should be exercised. In patients with proven liver failure, doxazosin administration is not recommended (see section 2).

Elderly patients

No dose adjustment is necessary in elderly patients.

Overdose of CARDURA XL

In case of overdose, hypotension may occur.
If you have taken more than the recommended dose of CARDURA XL, contact your doctor.
Depending on the symptoms, the doctor will administer the appropriate treatment. Since doxazosin binds to plasma proteins by 98%, dialysis as a treatment for overdose is not indicated.

Missing a dose of CARDURA XL

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case, take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, CARDURA XL can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common side effects(which may occur more often than 1 in 100 patients)
Respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, dizziness, headache, somnolence, vertigo, palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, rhinitis, abdominal pain, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, pruritus, back pain, muscle pain, cystitis, urinary incontinence, weakness, chest pain, flu-like symptoms, peripheral edema.
Uncommon side effects(which may occur more often than 1 in 1000 patients)
Allergic reactions, anorexia, gout, increased appetite, anxiety, depression, insomnia, stroke, paresthesia, fainting, tremor, tinnitus, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, epistaxis, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, vomiting, gastritis, abnormal liver function tests, skin rash, arthralgia, dysuria, hematuria, urinary frequency disorders, impotence, pain, facial edema, weight gain.
Rare side effects(which may occur more often than 1 in 10,000 patients)
Gastrointestinal obstruction.
Very rare side effects(which may occur less often than 1 in 10,000 patients)
Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, agitation, nervousness, orthostatic dizziness, paresthesia, blurred vision, bradycardia, arrhythmias, flushing, bronchospasm, jaundice, hepatitis, alopecia, purpura, urticaria, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, urinary disorders, nocturia, polyuria, gynecomastia, fatigue, malaise.
Prolonged, painful erections. You should seek medical attention immediately.
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, retrograde ejaculation.

Reporting side effects

If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, Tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, Fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl. You can also report side effects to the marketing authorization holder or its representative.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store CARDURA XL

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store in a temperature below 30°C, protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What CARDURA XL contains

The active substance is doxazosin in the form of doxazosin mesylate.
The other ingredients are:
active layer:polyethylene oxide, hypromellose, iron oxide red (E 172), magnesium stearate;
osmotic layer:polyethylene oxide, sodium chloride, hypromellose, iron oxide red (E 172), magnesium stearate;
membrane coating:cellulose acetate, macrogol 3350;
outer coating:Opadry White YS-2-7063 (hypromellose, macrogol 3350, titanium dioxide);
printing ink:Black Ink S-1-17823 (pharmaceutical glaze, black iron oxide (E 172)).

What CARDURA XL looks like and contents of the pack

Prolonged-release tablets.
CARDURA XL, 4 mg: round, biconvex, white film-coated tablets with a hole and engraved "CXL 4" on one side.
CARDURA XL, 8 mg: round, biconvex, white film-coated tablets with a hole and engraved "CXL 8" on one side.
The pack contains 30 or 100 tablets in Al/PVC/PVDC or Al/Al blisters in a cardboard box.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder
Upjohn EESV, Rivium Westlaan 142, 2909 LD Capelle aan den IJssel, Netherlands
Manufacturer
Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Betriebsstätte Freiburg Mooswaldallee 1, 79090 Freiburg, Germany
To obtain more detailed information, contact the representative of the marketing authorization holder:

Mylan Healthcare Sp. z o.o.

tel. 22 546 64 00
Date of last revision of the leaflet:09/2023