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What Causes Dizziness While On Doxazosin?

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Posted on Mon, 20 Jun 2016
Question: I am on three drugs for hypertension. I still have a reading of approx 157/80 and am reluctant to increase the dosages because of the side effects. I would like to come off Doxazosin because I am struggling with dizziness/ abdominal discomfort and indigestion however I came off a higher dose of Felodopine which has been a great improvement re side effects to enable me to take the Doxazosin. I also now take a thyroxin tablet.
I have been on medication for approx 40 years for Hypertension but am feeling side effects now which are reducing my capacity to exercise regularly and am refusing statins again because of the effect on my ability to exercise. What are my options?
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!

I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that you are right about Doxazosin.

It has shown one of its major side effects (dizziness), so it would be rationale to avoid that drug from therapy.

As there are no predefined anti-hypertensive therapy scheme, you can try other more safe combinations.

You are actually taking exogenous thyroid hormone therapy (Levothyroxine), so it would be advisable to use also a beta-blocker (for example Carvedilol, Metoprolol, etc.) which would be preferable to counteract potential side effects of Levothyroxine (tachycardia, hypertension, etc).

You need to discuss with your prescribing doctor on the opportunity of adding a beta-blocker and if necessary a thiazide diuretic (which could yield beneficial effects), for example Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day.


You should know that some degree of your actual complaints (reduced exercise capacity, etc.) are due to thyroid dysfunction; so it is necessary to frequently check thyroid function tests for properly reviewing the underlying therapy.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri


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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness While On Doxazosin?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX! I passed carefully through your medical history and would explain that you are right about Doxazosin. It has shown one of its major side effects (dizziness), so it would be rationale to avoid that drug from therapy. As there are no predefined anti-hypertensive therapy scheme, you can try other more safe combinations. You are actually taking exogenous thyroid hormone therapy (Levothyroxine), so it would be advisable to use also a beta-blocker (for example Carvedilol, Metoprolol, etc.) which would be preferable to counteract potential side effects of Levothyroxine (tachycardia, hypertension, etc). You need to discuss with your prescribing doctor on the opportunity of adding a beta-blocker and if necessary a thiazide diuretic (which could yield beneficial effects), for example Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg/day. You should know that some degree of your actual complaints (reduced exercise capacity, etc.) are due to thyroid dysfunction; so it is necessary to frequently check thyroid function tests for properly reviewing the underlying therapy. Hope to have been helpful to you! In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again. Kind regards, Dr. Iliri