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Terazosin

 

Terazosin (generic Hytrin) Review

brand name: Hytrin
generic names: Terazosin hydrochloride, Terazosin

Why is Hytrin prescribed?

Hytrin is prescribed to reduce high blood pressure. It may be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure lowering drugs, such as HydroDIURIL (a diuretic) or Inderal, a beta blocker.

Hytrin is also prescribed to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland that surrounds the urinary canal. It leads to the following symptoms:

• A weak or interrupted stream when urinating
• A feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely
• A feeling of delay when you start to urinate
• A need to urinate often, especially at night
• A feeling that you must urinate right away

Hytrin relaxes the tightness of a certain type of muscle in the prostate and at the opening of the bladder. This can reduce the severity of the symptoms.

What drug(s) may interact with Terazosin (Hytrin)?

Do not take Terazosin if you are taking the following medications:
•other alpha-blockers such as doxazosin, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, prazosin, tamsulosin

Terazosin may also interact with the following medications:
•medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
•medicines for high blood pressure
•hawthorn
•monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)
•sildenafil (doses of sildenafil higher than 25 mg should be taken at least 4 hours apart from taking Terazosin (Hytrin))
•tadalafil
•vardenafil
•water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, alfuzosin, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What other drugs will affect Terazosin (Hytrin)?

Before taking Terazosin, tell your doctor if you use any other blood pressure medications, especially verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan). You may need a dosage adjustment if you take Terazosin (Hytrin) with other blood pressure medicines.

There may be other drugs that can affect Terazosin (Hytrin). Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, herbal products, minerals, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Use with caution in

• Elderly people.
  
  

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Hytrin

If Hytrin is taken with certain other drugs, decreased, the effects of either could be increased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Hytrin with the following:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as Calan, Motrin and Naprosyn
Other blood pressure medications, Vasotec,

What side effects may I notice from taking Terazosin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
•difficulty breathing, lightheadedness
•fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath
•prolonged painful erection of the penis (priapism)
More common:
•blurred vision
•fainting spells, palpitations or chest pain
•swelling of the legs and ankles

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•constipation or diarrhea
•drowsiness or dizziness
•headache
•nausea
•nasal stuffiness
•unusual weakness or tiredness