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.

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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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Last Editorial Review: 10/4/2004