TERAZOSIN

Brand & Generic Names

Hytrin

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

Treats high blood pressure.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Once a day (usually) at bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Don't ever double the dose.

What drug does:
Relaxes smooth muscle in arteries, reducing blood pressure. Terazosin doesn't cure hypertension, but controls it. Persons with hypertension may need lifelong treatment.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other drug (especially over-the-counter medicines containing alcohol) without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Difficult breathing, vomiting, fainting, slow heartbeat, coma, diminished reflexes.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose Section.

Common:

Headache, dizziness, tiredness or weakness.

Infrequent:

• Chest pain; lightheadedness on arising from bed or chair (more likely to occur with first dose); increased or rapid heartbeat, fainting, nausea and vomiting.
• Fluid retention and weight gain.

Rare:

Back pain, joint pain, blurred vision, stuffy nose, drowsiness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any alpha-adrenergic blocker*.
• You are under age 12.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have heart disease or chronic kidney disease.
• If you have a peripheral circulation disorder (intermittent claudication, Buerger's disease).
• If you have history of depression.

Over age 60:
More sensitivity to drug causing weakness, fainting episodes, low temperature.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
No proven problems. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended for children. Adequate studies not complete.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:

• Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
• Stopping abruptly may cause rebound high blood pressure, anxiety, chest pain, insomnia, headache, nausea, irregular heartbeat, flushed face, sweating.

Others:

• Avoid becoming overheated.
• Check blood pressure frequently.
• May affect results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Diclofenac	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin. Causes sodium and fluid
	retention.
Diuretics, loop*	Decreased effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Estrogens*	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Lisinopril	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosage of each may require
	adjustment.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Non-steroidal	Decreases effectiveness
anti-inflammatory	of terazosin. Causes sodium and
drugs (NSAIDs)*	fluid retention.
Other medicines to	Decreases effectiveness of
treat high blood	terazosin.
Sympathomimetics*	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sensitivity to sedative
	effect of alcohol and very low
	blood pressure. Avoid.
Caffeine drinks.	Decreased terazosin effect.
Cocaine:	Blood pressure rise. Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Weakness on standing.
Tobacco:	No problems expected.