Doxazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor used to treat mild to moderate hypertension and urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Other members of this drug class include Prazosin, Terazosin, Tamsulosin, and Alfuzosin.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 8 references
Doxazosin selectively inhibits the postsynaptic alpha-1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle by nonselectively blocking the alpha-1a, alpha-1b, and alpha-1d subtypes. This action on blood vessels decreases systemic peripheral vascular resistance, reducing blood pressure, exerting minimal effects on the heart rate due to its receptor selectivity. Norepinephrine-activated alpha-1 receptors located on the prostate gland and bladder neck normally cause contraction of regional muscular tissue, obstructing urinary flow and contributing to the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Alpha-1 antagonism causes smooth muscle relaxation in the prostate and bladder, effectively relieving urinary frequency, urgency, weak urinary stream, and other unpleasant effects of BPH. Recently, doxazosin was found to cause apoptosis of hERG potassium channels in an in vitro setting, possibly contributing to a risk of heart failure with doxazosin use.
- Primary indication
- Doxazosin is indicated to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, which may include urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia, among other symptoms.Curator reviewed · 3 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C23H25N5O5 · 451.4751 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1999 · United States, 1991
- Brand names
Resolves to
RUZYUOTYCVRMRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCOC1=C(OC)C=C2C(N)=NC(=NC2=C1)N1CCN(CC1)C(=O)C1COC2=CC=CC=C2O1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Doxazosin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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