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Cardura XL

Generic: doxazosin mesylate

Verified·Apr 23, 2026
NDC
58151-078
RxCUI
636360
Route
ORAL
ICD-10 indication
I10

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About Cardura XL

What is this medication?

Cardura XL is an extended-release prescription medication containing the active ingredient doxazosin. It belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha-blockers and is primarily used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is more commonly referred to as an enlarged prostate. By relaxing the muscles in the prostate and the neck of the bladder, this medication helps to improve urine flow and reduce common symptoms such as a weak stream, difficulty starting urination, or the frequent need to urinate during the day and night.

Unlike immediate-release versions of the drug, the XL formulation is specifically designed to release the medicine slowly into the body over a twenty-four-hour period. This delivery system helps maintain consistent levels of the medication in the bloodstream with a once-daily dose, usually taken with breakfast. While doxazosin can also be used to treat high blood pressure in some forms, Cardura XL is specifically indicated for the management of urinary issues related to prostate enlargement. It is important to take the tablet whole and not crush or chew it to ensure the extended-release mechanism functions correctly.

Copay & patient assistance

Detailed copay and financial assistance information is not publicly available for this medication at this time. Please consult your pharmacist or the manufacturer's official patient support program for more details.

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Prescribing information

From the FDA-approved label for Cardura XL. Official source: DailyMed (NLM) · Label effective May 15, 2023

Indications and usage
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CARDURA ® XL is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). CARDURA XL is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. CARDURA XL is an alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. ( 1 ) CARDURA XL is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. ( 1 )
Dosage and administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Recommended starting dose (initial therapy or switching from immediate-release): 4 mg once daily with breakfast ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Dose range: 4 to 8 mg once daily ( 2.1 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information The initial dose of CARDURA XL, 4 mg given once daily, should be administered with breakfast. Depending on the patient’s symptomatic response and tolerability, the dose may be increased to 8 mg, the maximum recommended dose. The recommended titration interval is 3-4 weeks. If CARDURA XL administration is discontinued for several days, therapy should be restarted using the 4 mg once daily dose. Tablets should be swallowed whole, and must not be chewed, divided, cut, or crushed. 2.2 Patients Switching from CARDURA to CARDURA XL If switching from CARDURA immediate-release (IR) to CARDURA XL, therapy should be initiated with the lowest dose (4 mg once daily). Prior to starting therapy with CARDURA XL, the final evening dose of CARDURA should not be taken. 2.3 Concomitant Administration with PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension; therefore, PDE-5 inhibitor therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose in patients taking CARDURA XL.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS CARDURA XL is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to doxazosin, other quinazolines (e.g., prazosin, terazosin), or any of the inert ingredients. Allergic reactions to doxazosin and other quinazolines have included skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, and respiratory symptoms [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Patients with known sensitivity to doxazosin, other quinazolines, or any of the inert ingredients ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Postural hypotension with or without syncope may occur in the first few hours after administration. ( 5.1 ) Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients. Advise patients considering cataract surgery to tell their ophthalmologist that they have taken CARDURA XL tablets. ( 5.2 ) Caution should be used when administering to patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing or coronary insufficiency. ( 5.3 , 5.7 ) Advise patients to be screened for the presence of prostate cancer prior to treatment and at regular intervals afterwards. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension with or without symptoms (e.g., dizziness) may develop within a few hours following administration of CARDURA XL. However, infrequently, symptomatic postural hypotension has also been reported later than a few hours after dosing. As with other alpha-blockers, there is a potential for syncope, especially after the initial dose or after an increase in dosage strength. Patients should be warned of the possible occurrence of such events and should avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur. Care should be taken when CARDURA XL is administered to patients with symptomatic hypotension or patients who have had a hypotensive response to other medications. 5.2 Cataract Surgery Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha 1 blockers. This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient’s surgeon should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances. There does not appear to be a benefit from stopping alpha 1 blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery. 5.3 Gastrointestinal Disorders As with any other non-deformable material, caution should be used when administering CARDURA XL to patients with preexisting severe gastrointestinal narrowing (pathologic or iatrogenic). There have been rare reports of obstructive symptoms in patients with known strictures in association with the ingestion of another drug in this non-deformable extended-release formulation. Markedly increased GI retention times, as may occur in patients with chronic constipation, can increase systemic exposure to doxazosin and thereby potentially increase adverse reactions. 5.4 Prostate Cancer Carcinoma of the prostate causes many of the same symptoms associated with BPH and the two disorders frequently co-exist. Carcinoma of the prostate should therefore be ruled out prior to commencing therapy with CARDURA XL. 5.5 PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. Pharmacodynamic interactions between CARDURA XL and antihypertensive medications or other vasodilating agents have not been determined. 5.6 Patients with Hepatic Impairment CARDURA XL is not recommended for patients with severe hepatic impairment and should be administered with caution to patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.7 Patients with Coronary Insufficiency Patients with congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, or acute myocardial infarction within the last 6 months were excluded from the Phase 3 studies. If symptoms of angina pectoris should newly appear or worsen, CARDURA XL should be discontinued. 5.8 CYP 3A4 Inhibitors Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong CYP 3A4 inhibitor, such as atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or voriconazole. 5.9 Priapism Rarely (probably less frequently than once in every several thousand patients), alpha-1 antagonists, including doxazosin, have been associated with priapism (painful penile erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation). Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not promptly treated, patients must be advised about the seriousness of the condition.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor. ( 7.1 ) Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 CYP 3A4 Inhibitors No in vivo drug interaction studies were conducted with CARDURA XL. In vitro studies suggest that doxazosin is a substrate of CYP 3A4. Caution should be exercised when concomitantly administering CARDURA XL with a strong CYP 3A4 inhibitor, such as atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or voriconazole [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Antihypertensive Medications Pharmacodynamic interactions between CARDURA XL and antihypertensive medications or other vasodilating agents have not been determined. 7.3 PDE-5 Inhibitors Concomitant administration of CARDURA XL with a PDE-5 inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] .
Adverse reactions
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most commonly reported adverse reactions from clinical trials are asthenia, headache, hypotension, and dizziness. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viatris at 1-877-446-3679 (1-877-4-INFO-RX) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The incidence of adverse reactions was derived from two controlled efficacy and safety trials involving 1473 BPH patients. In Study 1, CARDURA XL (n = 317) was compared to doxazosin IR tablets (n = 322) and to placebo (n = 156). In Study 2, CARDURA XL (n = 350) was compared just to doxazosin IR tablets (n = 330). In both of these studies, CARDURA XL was initiated at a dose of 4 mg, which could be increased by the investigator to 8 mg after seven weeks if an adequate response was not seen [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Similarly, doxazosin IR was begun at a dose of 1 mg, which was increased in all patients to 2 mg after 1 week, followed by the option to increase to 4 mg after 4 weeks, and 8 mg after 7 weeks. The most commonly reported adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in the CARDURA XL group were dizziness, dyspnea, asthenia, headache, hypotension, postural hypotension, and somnolence. The rates of discontinuation for adverse reactions were 6%, 7% and 3% in the CARDURA XL, doxazosin IR, and placebo groups, respectively. Table 1 lists the incidence rates of adverse reactions derived from all reported adverse events in the two controlled studies (Studies 1 and 2) combined, at a rate greater than placebo and in 1% or more of patients treated with CARDURA XL. TABLE 1 Adverse Reactions, Derived from All Adverse Events Exceeding Placebo Rate and Occurring in ≥ 1% of BPH Patients Treated with CARDURA XL Body System CARDURA XL (N = 666) Doxazosin IR (N = 651) Placebo (N = 156) BODY AS A WHOLE Abdominal Pain 1.8% 2.3% 0.6% Asthenia 3.9% 6.9% 1.3% Headache 6.0% 5.1% 4.5% CARDIOVASCULAR Hypotension 1.7% 1.8% 0.0% Postural Hypotension 1.2% 2.2% 0.6% DIGESTIVE Dyspepsia 1.4% 1.2% 0.0% Nausea 1.2% 2.3% 0.6% MUSCULOSKELETAL Myalgia 1.4% 0.5% 0.0% NERVOUS Dizziness 5.3% 9.1% 1.9% Somnolence 1.5% 1.2% 0.0% Vertigo 1.5% 4.1% 0.6% RESPIRATORY Dyspnea 1.2% 1.2% 0.0% Respiratory Tract Infection 4.8% 4.5% 1.9% UROGENITAL Urinary Tract Infection 1.4% 0.8% 0.6% Additional adverse events reported with CARDURA XL, reported by less than 1% of patients, and those of clinical interest include: Cardiovascular System: angina pectoris, syncope, tachycardia, chest pain, palpitations; Digestive System: diarrhea; Musculoskeletal System: arthralgia; Nervous System: libido decreased; Urogenital System: impotence, dysuria. In general, the adverse events reported in the open-label safety extension, in approximately 295 BPH patients treated for up to 37 weeks, were similar in type and frequency to the events described above in the controlled trials. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse events have been identified during post-approval use of doxazosin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Autonomic Nervous System: priapism; Cardiovascular System: cerebrovascular accidents, dizziness postural, myocardial infarction; Central and Peripheral Nervous System: hypoesthesia, paresthesia; Endocrine System: gynecomastia; Gastrointestinal System: gastrointestinal obstruction, vomiting; General Body System: fatigue, hot flushes, malaise; Heart Rate/Rhythm: bradycardia, cardiac arrhythmias; Hematopoietic: leukopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia; Liver/Biliary System: abnormal liver function tests, hepatitis, hepatitis cholestatic, jaundice; Musculoskeletal System: muscle cramps, muscle weakness; Psychiatric: agitation, anorexia, nervousness; Respiratory System: bronchospasm aggravated; Skin Disorders: alopecia, urticaria, skin rash, pruritus; Special Senses: blurred vision, Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] ; Urinary System: hematuria, micturition disorder, micturition frequency, nocturia, polyuria. There have been rare reports of gastrointestinal irritation and gastrointestinal bleeding with use of another drug in this non-deformable sustained release formulation, although causal relationship to the drug is uncertain.
Use in pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary CARDURA XL is not indicated for use in females and is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. The limited available data with CARDURA XL in pregnant women are not sufficient to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. No adverse developmental outcomes were observed in animal reproduction studies with oral administration of doxazosin to pregnant rats and rabbits at doses of up to 10 and 4 times, respectively, the 12 mg/day recommended dose. Postnatal development was delayed in rats at a dose of 8 times the 12 mg/day recommended dose [see Data ] . Data Animal Data Radioactivity was found to cross the placenta following oral administration of labeled doxazosin to pregnant rats. Studies in pregnant rabbits and rats at daily oral doses of up to 41 and 20 mg/kg, respectively (plasma drug concentrations of 10 and 4 times, respectively, the human AUC exposures with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose), during organogenesis have revealed no evidence of adverse developmental effects. A dosage regimen of 82 mg/kg/day in the rabbit was associated with reduced fetal survival. In peri- and postnatal studies in rats, postnatal development at maternal doses of 40 or 50 mg/kg/day of doxazosin (about 8 times human AUC exposure with a 12 mg/day therapeutic dose) was delayed, as evidenced by slower body weight gain and slightly later appearance of anatomical features and reflexes.

Label text is reproduced as-is from the FDA-approved label. We do not paraphrase, summarize, or omit. Content above is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your prescribing clinician or pharmacist before making decisions about your medication.

Conditions we've indexed resources for

Click a condition to see copay cards, grants, and PA rules specific to it. For the full list of FDA-approved indications, see Prescribing information above.

Medicare Part D coverage

How Cardura XL appears across Medicare Part D plan formularies nationally. Source: CMS monthly Prescription Drug Plan file (2026-04-30).

Covered by plans

0%

21 of 5,509 plans

Most common tier

Tier 4

On 100% of covering formularies

Prior authorization required

0%

of covering formularies

TierFormularies on this tierShare
Tier 4 (non-preferred brand)3
100%

Step therapy: 0% of formularies

Quantity limits: 0% of formularies

Coverage breadth: 3 of 65 formularies

How to read this:plans on the same formulary share tier + PA rules. Your specific plan's copay depends on (a) the tier above, (b) your plan's cost-share for that tier, (c) whether you're in the initial coverage phase or past the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap. For your exact plan, check its Summary of Benefits or log in to your Medicare.gov account. Copay cards don't apply to Medicare (federal law).

Prior authorization & coverage

PayerPAStep therapyCopay tier

Medicare Part D

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How this page is sourced

  • Drug identity verified against openFDA NDC Directory.
  • Label text (when shown) originates from NLM DailyMed.
  • Copay and assistance URLs verified periodically; if you hit a broken link, tell us.