Two medicines, side by side
Doxazosin vs terazosin
Doxazosin and terazosin are both labeled for high blood pressure and enlarged prostate (bph). Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxazosin since 1990 and of terazosin since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.0752 per doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet and $0.106 per terazosin 2 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the doxazosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 15, 2023); the terazosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 5, 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 terazosin record
Terazosin (Hytrin) · label of May 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTerazosin capsules are indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is a rapid response, with approximately 70% of patients experiencing an increase in urinary flow and improvement in symptoms of BPH when treated with terazosin capsules. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 21 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxazosin label of October 15, 2023, Terazosin label of May 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxazosin and terazosin differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Doxazosin, “Excretion Plasma elimination of doxazosin is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 22 hours.”; Terazosin, “The plasma levels peak about one hour after dosing, and then decline with a half-life of approximately 12 hours.”
Generics: doxazosin since 2000; terazosin since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Doxazosin | Terazosin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Enlarged prostate (BPH), High blood pressure | Enlarged prostate (BPH), 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. | The plasma levels peak about one hour after dosing, and then decline with a half-life of approximately 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 2, 1990 | August 7, 1987 |
| First generic approved | October 18, 2000 | March 30, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 29 labelers | 21 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0752 per tablet (Doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet) | $0.106 per capsule (Terazosin 2 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,891 | 8,843 |
| 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