Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Hytrin
  2. Tezruly

Descriptions


Terazosin is used to treat men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, which is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). When the prostate gland gets larger, certain muscles in the gland get in the way of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. This can cause problems with urinating, such as a need to urinate often, a weak stream when urinating, or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely.

Terazosin is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.

This medicine is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart. It also helps relax the muscles in the prostate gland and the opening of the bladder. This may help increase the flow of urine or decrease symptoms.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Capsule

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of terazosin oral liquid in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of terazosin oral liquid in geriatric patients.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Alfuzosin
  • Asenapine
  • Avanafil
  • Iloperidone
  • Melphalan
  • Sildenafil
  • Silodosin
  • Tadalafil
  • Tamsulosin
  • Vardenafil
  • Verapamil

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acebutolol
  • Alprenolol
  • Atenolol
  • Betaxolol
  • Bevantolol
  • Bisoprolol
  • Bucindolol
  • Carteolol
  • Carvedilol
  • Celiprolol
  • Dilevalol
  • Esmolol
  • Labetalol
  • Levobunolol
  • Mepindolol
  • Metipranolol
  • Metoprolol
  • Nadolol
  • Nebivolol
  • Oxprenolol
  • Penbutolol
  • Pindolol
  • Propranolol
  • Sotalol
  • Talinolol
  • Tertatolol
  • Timolol

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Angina (chest pain) or
  • Heart disease, severe or
  • Postural hypotension (low blood pressure) or
  • Prostate cancer, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Cataract surgery—An eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in patients who are taking or who have recently taken this medicine when they are having cataract surgery. You should tell your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) before your surgery if you are taking terazosin.

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

If you take this medicine to treat high blood pressure, your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes. These may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

For patients taking this medicine for benign enlargement of the prostate:

  • Remember that terazosin will not shrink the size of your prostate but it does help to relieve the symptoms.
  • It may take up to 4 to 6 weeks before your symptoms get better.

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For benign prostatic hyperplasia:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 1 milligram (mg) once a day taken at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 1 milligram (mg) once a day taken at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin using this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous.

If you experience painful or prolonged erection for hours, contact your doctor immediately. This condition may require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious and permanent damage to your penis.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Dizziness

Less common

  1. Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
  2. bladder pain
  3. bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  4. bloody or cloudy urine
  5. blurred vision
  6. body aches or pain
  7. chest pain or tightness
  8. chills
  9. cold sweats
  10. confusion
  11. cough
  12. cough producing mucus
  13. decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  14. difficult, burning, or painful urination
  15. discouragement
  16. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  17. dryness or soreness of the throat
  18. fainting
  19. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
  20. fear, nervousness
  21. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  22. feeling of warmth or heat
  23. feeling sad or empty
  24. fever
  25. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
  26. frequent urge to urinate
  27. headache
  28. hoarseness
  29. inability to have or keep an erection
  30. increased need to urinate
  31. irritability
  32. joint stiffness or swelling
  33. lack of appetite
  34. loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  35. loss of bladder control
  36. loss of interest or pleasure
  37. lower back or side pain
  38. passing urine more often
  39. rapid weight gain
  40. sensation of spinning
  41. stuffy or runny nose
  42. sweating
  43. tender, swollen glands in the neck
  44. tingling of the hands or feet
  45. trouble breathing
  46. trouble concentrating
  47. trouble in swallowing
  48. trouble sleeping
  49. unable to sleep
  50. unusual tiredness or weakness
  51. unusual weight gain or loss
  52. voice changes

Incidence not known

  1. Black, tarry stools
  2. bleeding gums
  3. blood in the urine or stools
  4. hives, itching, skin rash
  5. painful or prolonged erection of the penis
  6. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  7. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  8. unusual bleeding or bruising

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Lack or loss of strength
  2. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. arm or leg pain
  3. back pain
  4. belching
  5. bloated
  6. bloody nose
  7. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  8. burning, dry, or itching eyes
  9. continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  10. constipation
  11. diarrhea
  12. difficulty in moving
  13. discharge, excessive tearing
  14. dry mouth
  15. excess air or gas in the stomach or intestine
  16. full feeling
  17. hearing loss
  18. heartburn
  19. indigestion
  20. muscle pain
  21. nausea
  22. neck pain
  23. passing gas
  24. redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
  25. shoulder pain
  26. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  27. swelling or puffiness of the face
  28. vomiting

Rare

  1. Blurred vision
  2. change in vision
  3. impaired vision

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/terazosin-oral-route/proper-use/DRG-20066315