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- What is terazosin?
- Is terazosin available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for terazosin?
- Why is terazosin prescribed to patients?
- What are the side effects of terazosin?
- What is the dosage for terazosin?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with terazosin?
- Is terazosin safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about terazosin?
What is terazosin?
Terazosin belongs to a class of medications called alpha 1 blockers which relax the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck.
Quick GuideEnlarged Prostate (BPH) Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Why is terazosin prescribed to patients?
Terazosin is used to treat the symptoms of urinary obstruction due to an enlarged prostate caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Terazosin also is used alone or in combination with another blood pressure medication to treat high blood pressure.
What are the side effects of terazosin?
Commonly reported side effects include:
- postural hypotension,
- dizziness,
- weakness,
- fatigue,
- headaches,
- swelling of the legs (edema),
- palpitations,
- nasal congestion,
- sleepiness,
- decreased libido,
- impotence, and
- blurred vision.
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 (orthostatic or postural hypotension). Postural hypotension can cause the patient to faint upon standing. Postural hypotension and fainting usually are associated with the first dose or the first few days of treatment. Hypotension and fainting also can occur when doses of medication are increased abruptly or another blood pressure medication is added. In order to decrease the likelihood of excessive hypotension and fainting, terazosin is initiated low doses.
Prostate cancer and prostatic hypertrophy both cause similar symptoms of obstruction to the flow of urine. Prostate cancer and prostatic hypertrophy can co-exist. Therefore, patients being treated for prostate hypertrophy should be evaluated to exclude the presence of prostate cancer.
What is the dosage for terazosin?
Terazosin may be taken with or without food. The recommended starting dose for treating BPH is 1 mg daily. The dose should be increased in a steps up to 10 mg daily which is the effective dose for most patients. Some patients may show additional improvement with a 20 mg dose. For high blood pressure the recommended dose is 1 to 5 mg once daily. Some patients may benefit from doses as high as 20 mg per day. Terazosin also may be administered twice daily.
Quick GuideEnlarged Prostate (BPH) Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Which drugs or supplements interact with terazosin?
PDE-5 inhibitors used primarily for erectile dysfunction (for example, vardenafil [Levitra, Staxyn], Adcirca, tadalafil [Cialis], sildenafil [Viagra, Revatio) add to the blood pressure lowering effects of terazosin and may result in orthostatic or postural hypotension. (See Side Effects.) Individuals who take terazosin should be on a stable dose before a PDE-5 inhibitor is started, and the PDE-5 inhibitor should be started at the lowest dose. If the patient is already taking a PDE-5 inhibitor terazosin should be started at the lowest dose.
Is terazosin safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There are no adequate studies of terazosin in pregnancy. It is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits justify the potential but unknown risks to the fetus
It is not known whether terazosin is excreted in breast milk.
What else should I know about terazosin?
What preparations of terazosin are available?
Tablets or Capsules: 1, 2, 5, and 10 mg.
How should I keep terazosin stored?
Terazosin should be stored at room temperature below 86 F (30 C) in a tight container.
How does terazosin work?
Terazosin is part of a class of alpha blockers. Alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and prazosin (Minipress) relaxing the smooth muscles of the arteries to lower blood pressure. Relaxing the smooth muscles around the bladder neck relieves urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate (prostate hypertrophy). Terazosin relaxes the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and the prostate, increasing urine flow.
When was terazosin approved by the FDA?
The FDA approved terazosin in 1987.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Quick GuideEnlarged Prostate (BPH) Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Summary
Terazosin (Hytrin) is a medication prescribed for the treatment of the symptoms of urinary obstruction due to an enlarged prostate caused by BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy). Hytrin is also used alone or in combination with another blood pressure medication to for the treatment of high blood pressure. Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
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Complete List
alfuzosin
Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) is a drug that belongs to the alpha-blocker class of drugs, and is prescribed for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. The most common side are
- headache,
- dizziness,
- fainting, and
- tiredness.
Drug interactions and dosage should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) is very common in men over 50 years of age. Half of all men over the age of 50 develop symptoms of BPH, but few need medical treatment. This noncancerous enlargement of the prostate can impede urine flow, slow the flow of urine, create the urge to urinate frequently and cause other symptoms like complete blockage of urine and urinary tract infections. More serious symptoms are urinary tract infections (UTIs) and complete blockage of the urethra, which may be a medical emergency.
BPH is not cancer. Not all men with the condition need treatment, and usually is closely monitored if no symptoms are present. Treatment measures usually are reserved for men with significant symptoms, and can include medications, surgery, microwave therapy, and laser procedures. Men can prevent prostate problems by having regular medical checkups that include a prostate exam. Contact your doctor or other medical professional if you have these symptoms:
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine
- Difficult urinating
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Dribbling of urine
Bladder Spasms
People who have bladder spasms, the sensation occurs suddenly and often severely. A spasm itself is the sudden, involuntary squeezing of a muscle. A bladder spasm, or "detrusor contraction," occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes suddenly without warning, causing an urgent need to release urine. The spasm can force urine from the bladder, causing leakage. When this happens, the condition is called urge incontinence or overactive bladder.doxazosin mesylate
Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura, Cardura XL) is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure and the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate gland). Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and patient safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.Drug Interactions
Drug interactions occur frequently. Get facts about the types of drug interactions, what substances or other things that may interact with drugs such as OTC drug and prescription drugs, vitamins, food(s) (grapefruit), and laboratory tests. Find out how to protect yourself from potential drug interactions.Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs
Important information about your drugs should be reviewed prior to taking any prescription drug. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precauctions, dosage, what the drug is used for, what to do if you miss a dose, how the drug is to be stored, and generic vs. brand names.Take the BPH Quiz
Take the Enlarge Prostate Quiz and challenge your knowledge of prostate problems. Learn causes, symptoms, treatments, and diagnosis as well as little-known facts about the prostate, and what happens to men when the prostate is enlarged.Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures, or convulsions caused by fever, can be frightening in small children or infants. However, in general, febrile seizures are harmless. Febrile seizure is not epilepsy. It is estimated that one in every 25 children will have at least one febrile seizure. It is important to know what to do to help your child if he/she has a febrile seizure. Some of the features of a febrile seizure include:- losing consciousness,
- shaking,
- moving limbs on both sides of the body,
- lasts 1-2 minutes.
finasteride
Finasteride (Proscar) is a drug prescribed for the treatment of prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Side effects, drug interactions, pregnancy information, dosing, and patient information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.High Blood Pressure Hypertension
High blood pressure is defined as a pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher in the arteries. Genetic factors, high salt intake, and increased arterial stiffness cause high blood pressure. Dizziness, headache, nausea, and shortness of breath are just a few symptoms of high blood pressure. Untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, atherosclerosis, eye damage, stroke, and increased risk of aneurysms. High blood pressure can be managed with weight loss, lifestyle changes, and medication.High Blood Pressure Medication
High blood pressure (hypertension) medications include drugs from a variety of different drug classes and types.
- ACE inhibitors
- ARB (angiotensin receptor blockers)
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
- Diuretics
- Alpha-blockers
- Alpha-beta blockers
Clonidine (Catapres) and minoxidil also are drugs prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Side effects, warnings and precautions, safety information, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
High Blood Pressure Treatment
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.Hypertension Picture
High blood pressure, defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. See a picture of Hypertension and learn more about the health topic.Mens Health
Men's health is an important component to a happy lifestyle and healthy relationships. Eating healthy, exercise, managing stress, and knowing when to have medical tests for a particular age is key to disease prevention in men.
Parathyroidectomy
Parathyroidectomy is the removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands to treat hyperparathyroidism. Risks of parathyroidectomy include:- paralysis of the vocal cords,
- difficulty swallowing thin liquids,
- difficulty breathing,
- and drug reactions.
- damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve,
- bleeding or hematoma,
- problems maintaining calcium levels in the blood,
- need for further and more aggressive surgery,
- need for a limited or total thyroidectomy,
- prolonged pain,
- impaired healing,
- and recurrence of the tumor.
tamsulosin
Flomax (tamsulosin) is a drug prescribed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate). Side effects may include:- Weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Increased triglycerides
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
Urinary Incontinence
There are many types of urinary incontinence (UI), which is the accidental leakage of urine. These types include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Urinary incontinence in men may be caused by prostate or nerve problems. Treatment depends upon the type and severity of the UI and the patient's lifestyle.
