Hytrin
Generic Name: terazosin
Brand Name: Hytrin
Indications
Hytrin (terazosin hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension.
Dosage and Administration
Hytrin capsules (terazosin hydrochloride capsules) for oral ingestion are supplied in four dosage strengths containing terazosin hydrochloride equivalent to 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg of terazosin.
Normal Dosage:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:
Initial Dose: 1 mg at bedtime is the starting dose for all patients, and this dose should not be exceeded as an initial dose. Patients should be closely followed during initial administration in order to minimize the risk of severe hypotensive response.
Subsequent Doses: The dose should be increased in a stepwise fashion to 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg once daily to achieve the desired improvement of symptoms and/or flow rates. Doses of 10 mg once daily are generally required for the clinical response. Therefore, treatment with 10 mg for a minimum of 4-6 weeks may be required to assess whether a beneficial response has been achieved.
Hypertension: The dose of HYTRIN and the dose interval (12 or 24 hours) should be adjusted according to the patient’s individual blood pressure response. The following is a guide to its administration:
Initial Dose: 1 mg at bedtime is the starting dose for all patients, and this dose should not be exceeded. This initial dosing regimen should be strictly observed to minimize the potential for severe hypotensive effects.
Subsequent Doses: The dose may be slowly increased to achieve the desired blood pressure response. The usual recommended dose range is 1 mg to 5 mg administered once a day; however, some patients may benefit from doses as high as 20 mg per day.
Overdose: Overdose symptoms include weakness, dizziness, and possible loss of consciousness or coma.
Drug Description
HYTRIN (terazosin hydrochloride), an alpha-1-selective adrenoceptor blocking agent, is a quinazoline derivative represented by the following chemical name and structural formula:(RS)-Piperazine, 1-(4-amino-6, 7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-[(tetra-hydro-2-furanyl)carbonyl]-, monohydrochloride, dihydrate.
Terazosin hydrochloride is a white, crystalline substance, freely soluble in water and isotonic saline and has a molecular weight of 459.93.
Side effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy
- Swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention (peripheral oedema)
- Increased need to pass urine
- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Fainting (syncope)
- Depression
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Blurred vision
- Erectile problems, including prolonged erection (priapism)
- Decreased sex drive
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)
- Weight gain
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Shortness of breath
Precautions
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol may cause drowsiness or low blood pressure during treatment.
- Hytrin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may need a special dosage or monitoring during therapy.
- This drug belongs to the FDA pregnancy category C and this means that taking this drug during pregnancy may affect the foetus. You are advised to consult your physician about your health conditions in detail.
- This drug belongs to the class of the FDA pregnancy category C and this means that taking this drug during pregnancy may affect the foetus.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Hytrin, 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 Hytrin with other blood pressure medicines.
