Health Care Archive - Page 1257 of 1479 - Home Health Patient Education

Precautions to be Exercised While Taking Prazosin-1

Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Prazosin as follows: Be aware of signs and symptoms of hypotension, to avoid any episodes of altered levels of consciousness and accidental falls. One should stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until they are used to the side effects caused by Prazosin. Be aware of signs and symptoms of tachycardia, as extremely high heart rate, secondary to use of Prazosin [...]

Side Effects of Prazosin Use

Patient was educated on the side effects of using Prazosin as follows: Symptoms of hypotension can occur secondary to arterial and venous vasodilation with reduced resistance to the contraction of heart and increased capacitance of the veins. This can reduce blood supply to distant vital organs, such as, brain and result in symptoms such as, dizziness, headache, and feeling lightheaded. Patients can present with a very rapid heart rate, as a compensatory measure for the [...]

Contraindications for Prazosin Use

Patient was educated on contraindications for using Prazosin as follows: Prazosin is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally high heart rates. If your heart rate is being abnormally high (consistently more than 100), with the use of Prazosin, report this to your physician immediately. Prazosin is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally low blood pressures. Use of this medication in hypotensive individuals can result in extremely low blood pressure with reduced flow to vital organs, resulting in [...]

How to Take Prazosin

Patient was educated on how to take Prazosin as follows: Take the medication at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the medication. Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of Prazosin. Do not change the dose on Prazosin without consulting your doctor. Take a blood pressure reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood [...]

Prazosin and Mechanism of Action

Patient was educated on Prazosin and its mechanism of action as follows: Prazosin inhibits the action of catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) on the Alpha-1 receptors of the blood vessels (both arteries and veins). Action of catecholamines on Alpha-1 receptors result in constriction of arteries and veins. Inhibition of the catecholamine action on these receptors result in relaxation and dilation of arteries and veins. Dilation of arteries results in decreased resistance for the heart, pumping blood [...]