GENERIC NAME: terazosin
BRAND NAME: Hytrin
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Terazosin belongs to a class
of
medications called alpha 1 blockers which relaxes the smooth
muscles of
the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck. Other alpha blockers in the same class of drugs include doxazosin (Cardura), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and prazosin (Minipress). Relaxing the
smooth
muscles of the arteries lowers blood pressure. Relaxing the
smooth muscles
around the bladder neck relieves urinary obstruction caused by
an enlarged
prostate (prostate hypertrophy).
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 1, 2, 5, and 10mg.
STORAGE: Should be stored at room temperature (below 80
degrees
F) in a tight container.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Terazosin is used to treat the symptoms
of
urinary obstruction as a result of an enlarged prostate.
Terazosin relaxes
the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and the prostate and
increases
urine flow. Terazosin is also used alone or in combination with
another
blood pressure medication to treat high blood pressure.
DOSING: May be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Terazosin is metabolized by the
liver and
excreted partially by the kidney. Therefore, medication dosages
may need
to be lowered in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction.
By relaxing the smooth muscles and dilating the arteries,
terazosin can
cause a marked lowering of the blood pressure especially when
the patient
stands up (postural hypotension). Postural hypotension can
cause the
patient to pass out (syncope) upon standing. Postural
hypotension and
syncope are usually associated with the first dose or the first
few days
of treatment. Hypotension and syncope can also occur when
medication doses
are increased abruptly or another blood pressure medication is
added. In
order to decrease the likelihood of excessive hypotension and
syncope,
terazosin is initiated at low doses and given at bedtime while
lying down.
The dose can be increased slowly as needed.
Prostate cancer and hypertrophy both cause similar symptoms of obstruction to the
flow of urine. Prostate cancer and prostate hypertrophy can
co-exist.
Therefore, patients being treated for prostate hypertrophy
should be
evaluated to exclude the presence of prostate cancer.
SIDE EFFECTS: Besides postural hypotension and
dizziness, the
rare reported side effects are weakness, fatigue, headaches,
swelling
(edema), palpitations, nasal congestion, sleepiness, decreased
libido,
impotence, and blurred vision.
Last Editorial Review: 10/4/2004
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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