Generic Minipress

Minipress is often generically prescribed as prazosin. It’s most common medical use is for the treatment of hyper tension, or high blood pressure. Minipress is a member of the class of medications known as alpha-adrenergic blockers. This medication is known to be effective at lowering blood pressure because it assists the veins and arteries in the process of relaxing, which allows for blood to pass through the vessels more readily with less stress.

Physician’s instruction should be followed, and this medication should not be stopped abruptly. This may cause serious side effects. To avoid the potentially dangerous side effect of falling, this medication should be prescribed as a bedtime dose.

Other side effects are likely to occur. Serious side effects require urgent medical care and may include an allergic reaction (itching, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or mouth, hives, and difficulty breathing,) chest pain, rash, or elevated heart rate with difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Less serious side effects generally do not require urgent medical care but should always be reported to the prescribing physician. Side effects such as sleepiness, vivid dreams, dizziness, numb sensations in the extremities, a decrease in the ability to urinate, sexual side effects such as loss of interest, joint aches, muscle aches, increase in urine output, fluid retention and associated weight gain, constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, or a feeling of general illness are common and usually considered annoying but not threatening.

The prescribing physician should always understand a thorough patient medical history before prescribing Minipress to avoid potentially serious reactions. Health conditions such as kidney disease or liver disease may be affected by this medication. Special monitoring may be required or the medication may not be well tolerated.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated this medication as a pregnancy risk category C, which means women who are pregnant, or likely to become pregnant, should not take Minipress. The effects on an unborn fetus are not yet known. Women who are nursing are likely to pass the medication through their breast milk, which can affect a nursing baby.

Patients should always follow the physician’s instruction when taking any medication. If the patient misses a regularly scheduled dose, the dose should be taken as soon as possible. If, however, it is nearing time for the next regularly scheduled dose, the missed dose should just be skipped and regular dosing should resume at the next dose. Patients should be advised never to take a double dose of this medication, nor should they take doses too close together, as this may result in an overdose.

In the event of an overdose, medical assistance should be sought immediately. Emergency medical attention is necessary to combat the symptoms of an overdose, which include dizziness, weakness, a weak and thready pulse, fatigue, fainting, cold and clammy skin, unconsciousness, or coma. In severe overdoses, death may occur.

Minipress should not be taken with certain other medications and the prescribing physician should be fully aware of the patients’ medical history before prescribing this medication. Patients should always alert the prescribing physician to any changes in their medication prior to taking the first does of a new medication. Patients should be urged to call the physician before taking any over the counter medication, herbal supplements or remedies, or any other type of medication, including vitamins. Medications with a known serious interaction with Minipress include any medications that enhance drowsiness such as narcotic pain relievers, muscle relaxers, cold medicine, antihistamines, and alcohol.

Patients should use care when starting Minipress. Side effects affect individuals differently, and machines and vehicles should not be operated when first starting this medication.