Doxazosin

How Hard Is It to Find Doxazosin in Stock?

Doxazosin has a findability score of 88 out of 100 — generally available with only minor stocking gaps at individual pharmacies. As of 2026, doxazosin is not listed on the FDA's Drug Shortage Database. Multiple generic manufacturers (Teva, Mylan, Apotex, and others) produce it, providing supply redundancy. Immediate-release generic tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg) are stocked at most major pharmacy chains and available via mail-order.

The extended-release Cardura XL (4 mg, 8 mg) is harder to find than generic IR doxazosin — it's a brand-only formulation, less widely stocked, and patients prescribed Cardura XL may need to call ahead or use mail-order. Localized stockouts of specific IR strengths can occur at individual pharmacies but are generally resolvable by checking nearby locations.

If you're having trouble finding doxazosin at your pharmacy, medfinder calls pharmacies near your location to check which ones can fill your doxazosin prescription and texts you the results — saving you time on hold and helping you get your medication faster.

Who Can Prescribe Doxazosin?

Doxazosin is not a controlled substance and requires no special DEA prescribing authority. It can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider in all 50 states. This makes access to doxazosin relatively straightforward through primary care and telehealth channels.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) / internists: The most common doxazosin prescribers for both hypertension and BPH management.

Urologists: Frequently prescribe doxazosin for BPH; manage moderate-to-severe BPH cases.

Cardiologists: May manage doxazosin as part of complex hypertension regimens.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs): Fully authorized to prescribe doxazosin independently in most states.

Geriatricians: Prescribe with caution given Beers criteria recommendations about orthostatic hypotension risk in older adults.

Telehealth is a convenient option for doxazosin refills and maintenance management in all 50 states. Platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, Amazon Clinic, and Sesame can prescribe doxazosin for established patients managing well-controlled BPH or hypertension. New patients initiating doxazosin typically benefit from an in-person evaluation for blood pressure measurement before starting.

Is Doxazosin a Controlled Substance?

No. Doxazosin is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It has no known potential for abuse, dependence, or misuse. Doxazosin can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — in all 50 states without special DEA authorization.

Prescriptions for doxazosin can be transmitted electronically, by phone, or by fax. Refills are not subject to the quantity or timing restrictions that apply to Schedule II–V controlled substances. Patients can receive 90-day supplies and use mail-order pharmacies without any restriction related to controlled substance rules.

Common Side Effects of Doxazosin

The most common side effects of doxazosin involve blood pressure changes, particularly orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing). These are most pronounced during the initial dose and early titration period:

Dizziness and lightheadedness (especially upon standing)

Fatigue and somnolence

Headache

Ankle/foot edema (swelling)

Nausea

Rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose)

Serious Side Effects — Seek Medical Attention

Syncope (fainting): Especially after first dose or dose increase. Call your doctor immediately.

Priapism: Prolonged, painful erection (>4 hours). Rare but requires emergency treatment to prevent permanent impotence.

Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS): Can complicate cataract/glaucoma surgery. Disclose to all eye surgeons.

Chest pain / angina: Call 911 if severe chest pain occurs.

Severe allergic reaction: Hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling. Call 911.

Final Thoughts on Doxazosin

Doxazosin is a well-established, affordable medication that offers a unique two-in-one benefit for men managing both high blood pressure and BPH. Its long half-life supports convenient once-daily dosing, and the wide availability of inexpensive generics makes it accessible to most patients on most insurance plans. While it requires careful dose titration at initiation, most patients tolerate it well once at their therapeutic dose.

For hypertension-only patients, current AHA/ACC guidelines favor other drug classes (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, thiazides) as first-line agents. Doxazosin's role is strongest where both BPH and hypertension coexist, or as add-on therapy in resistant hypertension. The ALLHAT trial's finding of elevated heart failure risk compared to chlorthalidone reinforces this positioning.

If you're managing a doxazosin prescription and run into pharmacy availability issues, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to find which ones have your prescription in stock — saving you time and ensuring you stay on your medication without interruption.