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.


Common uses

Terazosin is used for treatment urinary obstruction caused by enlarged prostate. Hytrin increases urine flow by relaxing the smooth muscles of prostate. Terazosin is used together with another medications for treatment of high blood pressure as well.
Before using

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine. Do not take Hytrin if you are sensitive to it or have ever had an allergic reaction to it.

Directions

You may take Hytrin with or without food. Take your first dose at bedtime. Do not take more than the 1 milligram your doctor has prescribed.
-If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
-Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.

Cautions

• The first dose of this medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness or fainting. For this reason you should take the first dose, and preferably each dose, just before retiring to bed at night. Take care when moving from lying down to sitting or standing, particularly if you wake up in the night, until you know how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy or light-headed at any time during treatment, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.
• This medicine may cause fatigue and dizziness. You should take care when performing potentially hazardous activites, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you and are sure you can perform such activities safely.
• Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine, which may result in dizziness or fainting.
• If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next scheduled dose, in which case leave out the missed dose and continue as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time, as this can make your blood pressure drop too low. If you miss treatment for more than a few days for any reason, then consult your doctor, as you may need to re-start the medicine at a lower dose.


Possible side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Hytrin.
• More common side effects may include:
Difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, headache, heart palpitations, light-headedness upon standing, nausea, pain in the arms and legs, sleepiness, stuffy nose, swollen wrists and ankles, weakness
If these symptoms persist, tell your doctor. Your dosage of Hytrin may be higher than needed.

If you take too much

If you take too much Hytrin, dizziness, light-headedness, and fainting may occur within 90 minutes. A large overdose may lead to shock. If you suspect an overdose of Hytrin, seek medical attention immediately.

Additional information

If you have high blood pressure, you must take Hytrin regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Hytrin; and you must continue taking it even if you are feeling well. Hytrin does not cure high blood pressure; it merely keeps it under control.

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

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

Drug interactions

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

If terazosin is taken with other medicines that reduce blood pressure, either as a treatment for high blood pressure (antihypertensives), or as a side effect, there may be an enhanced blood pressure lowering effect. This might make you feel dizzy, particularly with the first dose of terazosin. If you do feel dizzy, you should lie down until the symptoms pass. If any dizziness persists you should let your doctor know, as your medicine doses may need adjusting. Other medicines that can reduce blood pressure include the following:
• ACE inhibitors, eg enalapril, captopril
• other alpha blockers, eg tamsulosin, doxazosin
• angiotensin II receptor antagonists, eg losartan
• antipsychotic medicines
• baclofen
• benzodiazepines, eg temazepam
• beta-blockers, eg propranolol
• calcium channel blockers, eg diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine
• diuretics, eg furosemide, bendroflumethiazide
• levodopa
• MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine
• nitrates, eg glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate
• phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for impotence, eg sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil.