In a patient treated with doxazosin, which drug is an alternative that may not cause dizziness?

Doxazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist commonly used to treat high blood pressure and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A common side effect of this medication is dizziness, often due to its vasodilatory effects, which can lead to orthostatic hypotension.

Tamsulosin, the correct choice, is also an alpha-1 antagonist but is specifically selective for the alpha-1A subtype found primarily in the prostate and bladder. This selectivity reduces the risk of systemic side effects like dizziness, especially when compared to non-selective alpha antagonists. Its use is more focused on relieving urinary symptoms rather than lowering blood pressure, which minimizes the likelihood of causing significant hypotension and, consequently, dizziness.

In contrast, propranolol, while it may be used for hypertension, is a non-selective beta-blocker that can have its own set of side effects including fatigue and dizziness. Phentolamine, a non-selective alpha adrenergic blocker, is typically used in specific scenarios like hypertensive emergencies and can cause considerable dizziness. Terazosin, while similar to doxazosin, is also a non-selective alpha antagonist and can produce similar adverse effects, including dizziness. Thus, tamsulos