Two medicines, side by side
Doxazosin vs prazosin
Doxazosin and prazosin are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxazosin since 1990 and of prazosin since 1976. Pharmacies paid $0.0752 per doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet and $0.0842 per prazosin 1 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026).
Check it at the source: the doxazosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 15, 2023); the prazosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 6, 2026).
Highlights of the doxazosin record
Doxazosin (Cardura) · label of October 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsCARDURA is an alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist indicated for: • Signs and symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) ( 1.1 ) • Treatment of Hypertension ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) CARDURA is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. 1.2 Hypertension CARDURA is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 2, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 29 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0752 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Highlights of the prazosin record
Prazosin (Minipress) · label of March 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrazosin hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes, including this drug. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 23, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0842 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxazosin label of October 15, 2023, Prazosin label of March 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxazosin and prazosin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Generics: doxazosin since 2000; prazosin since 1988 (Drugs@FDA).
| Doxazosin | Prazosin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Enlarged prostate (BPH), High blood pressure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying are related to two components, anatomical (static) and … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion Plasma elimination of doxazosin is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 22 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 2, 1990 | June 23, 1976 |
| First generic approved | October 18, 2000 | September 12, 1988 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 29 labelers | 33 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0752 per tablet (Doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet) | $0.0842 per capsule (Prazosin 1 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -20% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,891 | 7,384 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to doxazosin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions