Prazosin Misuse

People don’t often think about high blood pressure medicine when they discuss abusing prescription drugs. But there’s a concern over Prazosin misuse. People misuse Prazosin for reasons other than its intended purpose.

Doctors often recommend Prazosin for sleep troubles linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Useful for both sleeping issues caused by PTSD and erectile dysfunction.

Sadly, lots of folks with PTSD also have problems with using substances too much. Having mental health issues and addiction at the same time can make each of them worse. Prazosin misuse is popular amongst people who rather self-medicate instead of seeking help from professionals.

What Is Prazosin Used for?

Prazosin is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for managing hypertension. Prazosin works by relaxing your blood vessels to help blood circulation. Prazosin belongs to a class of prescription medications called alpha-blockers.

It’s often utilized independently or in conjunction with other alpha-blockers. Intriguingly, doctors might also recommend Prazosin for conditions not officially recognized by the FDA, including the management of an enlarged prostate, heart failure, Raynaud’s disease, and adrenal gland tumors.

Functioning akin to a muscle relaxant, Prazosin assists in loosening tense muscles, thereby improving urine flow and alleviating symptoms associated with these ailments. Significantly, Prazosin has also found to be used in helping sleep disturbances linked to PTSD, a distressing aftermath of traumatic events.

Is Prazosin Addictive?

Prazosin is not a drug that gets people addicted, like opioids or stimulants, but it can be misused. This misuse might lead to dependence and a mental need for the drug.

Some individuals with PTSD might take more Prazosin than prescribed to help with sleep problems linked to PTSD. They do this to make themselves sleep.

If taken in large amounts, Prazosin can cause seeing things that aren’t there. This might make some people use the medication for fun or mix it with other drugs to experience these effects.

Prazosin Side Effects

The side effects of Prazosin can start right after someone takes it for the first time. These effects are different for each person. They rely on the amount taken, any health problems, and any other medicines or drugs they may be using.

Some Prazosin side effects include:

• Feeling light-headed
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling sleepy
• Feeling tired
• Weak muscles
• Blurred eyesight
• Slow reactions
• Headaches
• Feeling sick in the stomach
• Heart beating faster
• Pain in the chest
• Itchy skin
• Allergic reactions
• Trouble breathing
• Priapism, which is a painful, prolonged erection
• Hallucinations or seeing things that aren’t there
• Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS)

Many people who use Prazosin experience a significant drop in blood pressure when they quickly sit up or stand. Postural hypertension causes them to faint or fall. Prazosin’s effects are intense and vary, so doctors often recommend taking it at bedtime. Call your doctor immediately is any of these side effects worsen.

Some people misuse Prazosin for its strong effects by mixing it with other drugs and alcohol to enhance their effects. People mix various substances to change how their mind feels, a practice known as polysubstance use. This is a type of misuse through drug interactions can cause addiction and serious health problems.

Prazosin and Alcohol

Prazosin abuse and alcohol both can lower blood pressure and make you sleepy and unsteady. When you drink alcohol and take Prazosin, it can be risky and can lead to accidents that might be extremely dangerous.

Mixing Prazosin and alcohol can lead to the following side effects:

• Confusion
• Sweating a lot
• Itchy skin
• Red skin or rash
• Going to the bathroom a lot
• Getting dehydrated
• Falling asleep suddenly
• Fainting
• Lack of body coordination
• Hurting yourself from falling or being unable to control movements

Also, you may become sleepy and fall asleep if you drink a lot quickly. Your blood alcohol level can keep rising even when you’re asleep. Drinking too much can cause alcohol poisoning and death.

Alcohol can harm your liver, and using Prazosin for a long time can hurt your liver, too. Mixing them might make liver damage happen faster.

People using Prazosin for sleep problems from PTSD might not know how it can mix badly with alcohol and drugs. Talking to your doctor about your lifestyle and other medicines you may take is crucial to stay safe.

Prazosin Overdose

While a Prazosin overdose is usually not deadly, it’s still dangerous.

Symptoms of a Prazosin overdose include:

• Slower reflexes
• Feeling sleepy
• Fainting
• Trouble staying awake
• Confusion
• Blood pressure that is too low and unsafe

When someone has an overdose, they might lose control of a car, pass out in risky places, or hurt their head by falling. These things can be deadly. An overdose, even if it’s Prazosin mixed with other drugs, can turn extremely dangerous fast. You should always treat it as a serious problem.

Drug Addiction Treatment in Southern California

If you need help getting your life back on track, Northridge Addiction Treatment Center can assist you. They can help you start your journey to sobriety and a life of recovery.

Our treatment center is a peaceful and private place full of healing, calmness, and support. We provide medical detox on-site. Doctors and nurses are available 24/7 to help with Prazosin withdrawal symptoms and make sure you are safe during your withdraw process and the rest of your stay.

We offer medication-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis, along with other treatments and therapies, to help you handle your addiction triggers. Our aim is to give you the knowledge and skills to grow and achieve your best without addiction.

Call us now to speak with a helpful and compassionate treatment specialist. Beginning your recovery can be as simple as making one call.