Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) (diameter is about 1.7 mu m) were prepared from methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and triallyl isocyanurate as the cross-linker in methanol solution using doxazosin mesylate as the template molecule and 2,2'-azobis-isobutyronitrile as the initiator. The effects of amount of the cross-linker, the ratio of template molecule and functional monomer, amount of solvent and amount of the radical initiator on the polymerization were examined. Release of the template was performed by continuous extraction with methanol containing 10% acetic acid. These MIPs showed specific binding affinity toward doxazosin mesylate and the imprinting mechanism is discussed. The principal advantage of the method is that the MIPs prepared can recognize doxazosin mesylate and the particles size can be controlled by the amount of initiator and the volume of methanol employed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.