What is Terazosin?
Terazosin is part of a family of drugs known as alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. Terazosin relaxes the arteries and veins of your body to allow blood to flow more easily through them. It also relaxes muscles in the prostate as well as the bladder neck, thereby making it easier to urinate.
Terazosin is a medication used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) or to increase the urination rate of men suffering from benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).Terazosin is also employed for purposes that are not mentioned in this guideline.
Warnings
Terazosin can cause dizziness or fainting, particularly at the beginning of your treatment with it or when you start taking it regularly. You might want to use this medication only before bed in the event that it causes you to feel lightheaded. Be cautious when driving or engaging in any activity that requires you to stay alert. Avoid standing for prolonged durations or becoming hot during exercise or in hot temperatures. Be careful not to get up too quickly from a seated or lying position. You may be dizzy.It is not recommended to use this medication if your body is allergic to terazosin.
If you cease taking terazosin for any reason, consult your doctor before starting the process again. You might need a dose adjustment.Terazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Inform your eye surgeon in advance that you're taking terazosin. Don't stop taking terazosin prior to surgery unless your eye surgeon instructs you to.
Inform your doctor about any other medications you take, including blood pressure medicines and diuretics (water tablets).
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to use this medication if you have an allergy to terazosin.If you've been diagnosed with an established history of prostate cancer, you might require an adjustment to your dose or specific tests to ensure that you are taking terazosin safely.Terazosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Be sure to inform your eye surgeon prior to surgery that you're using this drug. Do not stop taking terazosin prior to surgery unless your eye surgeon advises you to.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not clear whether terazosin can affect a newborn baby. Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to get pregnant while taking this drug. It is unclear if the terazosin is absorbed into breast milk or whether it is harmful to the nursing infant. Do not take terazosin if you aren't consulting your physician or if you are breastfeeding infants.
How to Take Terazosin?
Take the dosage exactly according to the recommendations of your doctor. Do not take more or less quantities or for a longer time than prescribed. Follow the instructions on the prescription label.Your doctor might alter the dosage of terazosin in order to ensure you receive the most effective outcomes.
Terazosin reduces blood pressure and can cause fainting or dizziness, particularly when you are the first to begin using it or begin taking it again. You might want to take this medication in the evening when it causes you to feel lightheaded. Consult your physician if you experience severe dizziness or think you may be able to pass out.You might feel extremely dizzy the moment you get up. Be cautious when standing or getting up from a sitting position.
When you decide to stop taking terazosin for reasons beyond your control, consult your doctor before using it again. You might need a dose adjustment.The prostate and blood pressure should be monitored regularly. Visit your doctor regularly.If you're being treated for high blood pressure, continue applying terazosin even when you are feeling well. The presence of high blood pressure is often accompanied by no signs. You could need blood pressure medications throughout your life.
Certain things can trigger your blood pressure to drop too low. This could include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, dialysis, a diet low in salt, or diuretics (water pills). Consult your physician when you suffer from an ongoing illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea.Store terazosin at room temperature, far from heat, moisture, and light.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do the missed dose as quickly as you can remember. Do not take your missed dose if you are nearing the time for the next dose. Do not retake a dose to cover the dose you missed.
If you do not take your medication for a few consecutive days, make sure to consult your doctor prior to starting the medication. There is a possibility that you need to have smaller doses.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms can include extreme dizziness and fainting.
What Should be Avoided?
Terazosin could affect your reactions or thinking. Be cautious when driving or doing any activity that requires you to be vigilant.To avoid dizziness, try not to sit for prolonged periods of time or get excessively hot during exercise or in hot weather.
Be careful not to get up too fast from lying or sitting in a position where you could get dizzy. Make sure to get up slowly and steadily to avoid falling. Drinking alcohol may increase the effects of terazosin in certain ways.
Side effects of Terazosin
Seek medical attention immediately in the event that you exhibit any of these symptoms warning of an allergic reaction to the drug terazosin. symptoms of hives, breathing difficulties, or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. Contact your doctor immediately when you notice any of the following serious side effects:
- Rapid heartbeats, pounding beats, or heartbeats that are fluttering in your chest.
- Feeling like you might pass out;
- Swelling in your ankles, hands, or feet;
- Penis erection that hurts or lasts for 4 hours or more.
Some of the less severe terazosin side effects might include:
- Mild dizziness;
- Weakness, drowsiness;
- Blurred vision
- Nausea;
- Headache.
There isn't an exhaustive listing of all negative results. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 1 mg orally, once every day before bedtime.
Maintenance dosage: 1–5 mg taken orally at least once per day.
Maximum dose: 20 mg per day.
Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:
Initial dosage: 1 mg orally daily at bedtime.
Maintenance dosage: increased in a gradual manner by 2 mg to 5 mg or 10 mg every day to ensure improvement in symptoms.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Inform your physician about any other medicines you are taking, particularly:
- Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio);
- Tadalafil (Cialis);
- Vardenafil (Levitra);
- Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
- Other blood pressure medications that include diuretics (water pills)
This list isn't complete, and other drugs could be incompatible with terazosin. Discuss with your physician the medications you are taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter vitamins, herbal products, and vitamin products. Do not begin any new medication without first talking to your doctor.
