Terazosin

Generic name: Terazosin
Brand names: Hytrin

Usage of Terazosin

Terazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Terazosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Terazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), or to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Terazosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Terazosin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to terazosin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fast or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

feeling like you might pass out;

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; or

penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious terazosin side effects may include:

mild dizziness;

weakness, drowsiness;

blurred vision;

nausea; or

headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Terazosin

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to terazosin.

If you have a history of prostate cancer, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take terazosin.

Terazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using terazosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether terazosin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether terazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use terazosin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How to use Terazosin

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally once a day at bedtime Maintenance dose: 1-5 mg orally once a day. Maximum dose: 20 mg per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally once a day at bedtime. Maintenance dose: Increased in a stepwise fashion to 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg once a day to achieve desired improvement of symptoms.

Warnings

Terazosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. You may wish to take this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to terazosin.

If you stop taking terazosin for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.

Terazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using terazosin. Do not stop using terazosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially other blood pressure medications including diuretics (water pills).

What other drugs will affect Terazosin

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio);

tadalafil (Cialis);

vardenafil (Levitra);

verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or

other blood pressure medications, including diuretics (water pills).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with terazosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Disclaimer

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