:confused: I have a benign prostate condition which is being treated by Prazosin tablets (1 x 500mg am and 1 x 500mg pm). My Dr. has altered this medication to 1 x 1 MG Prazosin pm plus 1 x Zufal XL 10mg pm. On reading the instructions for Zufal XL it states, twice, that: Must not be taken if you take other medicines that belong to the group of alpha blockers. On questioning my chemist, she was unable to give me a definitive answer as to whether I should use both. She suggested that I continue with the 10 mg Prazosin until a definitive answer could be obtained. Unfortunately, requests to my GP for guidance have been negative. Any advice would be appreciated.

You are to be commended for investigating the medications you were prescribed. Everyone should do so.

An often overlooked resource for information about drug interactions is your local poison control center. Here is a link that will get you in touch with them:

Find Local Poison Centers (http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/Resources/FindLocalPoisonCenters/tabid/130/Default.aspx)

The telephone number is: 1-800-222-1222
They are there round the clock, the service is free, confidential and the prevention of therapeutic dosing error is at the top of their list.

A second resource is the dispensing pharmacy. Tell them exactly what you have written here, that your label instructions are contradicting.

Keep up the good work and please let me know how this turns out.

Thanks Dr. Bill. I have found the following - pays to read manufacturer's notices:

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious, possibly fatal interactions may occur:

Other alpha-blockers (e.g. doxazosin, indoramin, prazosin, tamsulosin or terazosin)

Makes you wonder why the prescribing physician didn't do the same.