Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Minipress
What is MINIPRESS used for?
MINIPRESS is used in adults to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
How does MINIPRESS work?
MINIPRESS works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. This helps to lower blood pressure.
What are the ingredients in MINIPRESS?
Medicinal ingredient: prazosin hydrochloride.
Non-medicinal ingredients: calcium phosphate, corn starch (gluten), FD&C yellow #6 (in 1 mg tablets only), magnesium stearate/sodium lauryl sulfate, and microcrystalline cellulose.
MINIPRESS comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablets: 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg of prazosin (as prazosin hydrochloride).
Do not use MINIPRESS if:
- you are allergic to prazosin, other quinazolines, or any of the other ingredients in MINIPRESS.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MINIPRESS. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have low blood pressure,
- suffer from fainting due to reduced blood pressure when changing posture (going to sit or stand up),
- have kidney problems,
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant,
- are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. MINIPRESS can pass into breast milk.
Other warnings you should know about:
- MINIPRESS can cause abnormal tests results when screening for pheochromocytoma (a rare tumour in the adrenal gland).
- When you start taking MINIPRESS, you should avoid situations where you may get injured if you faint or become unconscious. This is also more likely to occur when your dose is changed.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with MINIPRESS:
- diuretics (also known as water pills), used to increase urine production and promote the excretion of excess fluid from the body.
- other antihypertensive agents, used to treat high blood pressure.
How to take MINIPRESS:
- Take MINIPRESS tablets exactly as directed by your healthcare professional.
Take MINIPRESS orally by mouth with food. It is recommended that it is taken 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will determine the right dose and frequency of MINIPRESS for you.
The usual starting dose of MINIPRESS is 0.5 mg (half of a 1 mg tablet) at bedtime. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose depending on how you respond and if you take other medicines.
The maximum dose is 20 mg per day.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much MINIPRESS, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
|---|
Missed Dose:
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What are possible side effects from using MINIPRESS?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking MINIPRESS. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects of MINIPRESS may include:
- abdominal discomfort and pain,
- constipation,
- diarrhea,
- dry mouth,
- fever,
- frequent urination,
- headache,
- itchiness,
- joint pain,
- leaking of urine due to loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence),
- nasal congestion,
- nervousness,
- nosebleed,
- rashes,
- ringing in the ears,
- sweating more than usual,
- tingling or numbness,
- vertigo,
- vomiting,
- weakness.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Syncope (fainting or passing out): low blood pressure, low heart rate, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, feeling drowsy, feeling unsteady, feeling weak when standing, or changes in vision. | √ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Priapism (painful erection that lasts for several hours): painful erection that is unrelieved by sexual intercourse or | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| masturbation, pain that gets worse with time, or erect but not fully rigid penile shaft. | |||
| UNKNOWN FREQUENCY | |||
| Allergic reaction: difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, feeling of nausea or vomiting, hives, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. | √ | ||
| Anemia (decreased number of red blood cells): fatigue, loss of energy, irregular heartbeats, pale complexion, shortness of breath, or weakness. | √ | ||
| Depression (sad mood that won’t go away): difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, regret, helplessness or hopelessness, withdrawal from social situations, family, gatherings, and activities with friends, reduced libido (sex drive), or thoughts of death or suicide. | √ | ||
| Edema (unusual swelling of the arms, hands, legs, feet and ankles, face or airway passages) | √ | ||
| Eye problems: blurry vision or the white of the eye can become red and swollen. | √ | ||
| Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that are not there. | √ | ||
| Impotence (unable to get and keep an erection) | √ | ||
| Increased levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST) in the blood: dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes | √ | ||
| Lichen planus (skin inflammation): shiny red or purple bumps on the skin, rash, lacy white patches in the mouth, itchiness, | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| painful sores in the mouth or genitals, hair loss, nail scarring or loss, or dark lines from the tip of the nail to the base. | |||
| Orthostatic Hypotension (low blood pressure when standing after sitting or lying down): dizziness, fainting, feeling lightheaded, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue. | √ | ||
| Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): upper abdominal pain, fever, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, or tenderness when touching the abdomen. | √ | ||
| Tachycardia (abnormally fast heartbeat): palpitations, chest pain, fainting, feeling lightheaded, rapid pulse rate, or shortness of breath. | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store MINIPRESS tablets between 15°C to 30°C.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about MINIPRESS:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full Product Monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (https://www.aapharma.ca/en/), or by calling 1-877-998-9097.