High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Prazosin is marketed by Pfizer and was initially approved by the FDA in 1988 16. It is a quinazoline derivative that acts as a competitive alpha1-antagonist. Prazosin is available under the following different brand names: Minipress, Prazin, and Prazo.
The effect of this drug includes is a decrease in blood pressure as well as clinically significant decreases in cardiac output, heart rate, blood flow to the kidney, and glomerular filtration rate.
Prazosin is also used to treat congestive heart failure, pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor), and Raynaud's disease (condition where the fingers and toes change skin color from white to blue to red when exposed to hot or cold temperatures).
Prazosin was the first alpha antagonist used for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Prazosin may also reduce PTSD-associated nightmares.
Alpha blockers - Prazosin
