Hytrin

Hytrin (Generic)

Hytrin (terazosin) relaxes and dilates (expands) blood vessels resulting in lowered blood pressure. It is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). In males, this drug is used for symptoms of prostate enlargement such as urinary hesitancy and/or urgency.

Generic Hytric 1mg capsules

Generic Hytric 2mg capsules

Generic Hytric 5mg capsules

Uses

This medication relaxes and dilates (expands) blood vessels resulting in lowered blood pressure. It is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). In males, this drug is used for symptoms of prostate enlargement such as urinary hesitancy and/or urgency.

How to take

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.

Side effects

Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue, nasal congestion or dry eyes may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: chest pain, swelling of the hands or feet, ringing in the ears. Males - though it is unlikely to occur, if you get a painful, prolonged erection, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these highly unlikely but serious side effects: decreased sexual ability, easy bleeding or bruising, irregular or unusually fast heartbeat. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precaution

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of liver disease, kidney disease, allergies (especially drug allergies). To avoid dizziness or fainting, get up slowly from a lying or seated position (especially when you first start using this drug or if your doctor changes your dosing). Limit your intake of alcohol and avoid getting overheated because they may increase the dizziness and drowsiness effects of this drug. Use caution performing tasks requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

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.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. Contact your doctor if 2 or more consecutive doses are missed.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.