Hytrin (Terazosin)

Do’s

Before starting this medication, read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist. If you have any questions, consult your healthcare provider.

Take Hytrin by mouth with or without food as directed by your healthcare provider, usually once daily at bedtime. Your healthcare provider will start the medication at a low dose and gradually increase it based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

To avoid the risk of injury related to dizziness or fainting, take the first dose at bedtime, especially when the dose is increased or when restarting treatment after stopping it.

Take this medication regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit from it. 

If you miss taking Hytrin for a few days, you may need to restart treatment at the low dose and gradually increase your dose again. Consult your healthcare provider for more details.

If taking Hytrin for high blood pressure, continue taking it even if you feel well, as most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

For an enlarged prostate, it may take 2 to 4 weeks to see an improvement in symptoms, and up to 6 weeks before experiencing the full benefit of this medication.

Inform your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or worsens, such as if your blood pressure readings remain high or increase.

Don’ts

When taking Hytrin for the first time, do not take more than 1 milligram to start, as it may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting.

Common Side Effects:

Dizziness and lightheadedness

Blurred vision

Nausea

Headache

Swelling of the legs

Fatigue and weakness

Nasal congestion

Decreased sex drive and impotence

Stuffy or runny nose

Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet 

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects while taking Hytrin, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

Additionally, if you have signs of an allergic reaction or experience serious side effects such as fast or pounding heartbeats, swelling, or a prolonged abnormal erection, seek emergency medical help and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance regarding the potential side effects of Hytrin.

You should not use Hytrin if you are allergic to terazosin or other alpha-blockers such as doxazosin or prazosin. If you have any allergies, inform your healthcare provider before taking Hytrin.

Hytrin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Take this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed. Caution should be observed when driving or performing activities that require alertness.

When using Hytrin and other antihypertensive agents concomitantly, dosage reduction and retitration of either agent may be necessary. Additionally, concomitant administration of Hytrin with a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension. Caution should be observed when Hytrin is administered concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents, especially the calcium channel blocker verapamil, to avoid the possibility of developing significant hypotension.

During cataract surgery, a variant of small pupil syndrome known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been reported in association with alpha-1 blocker therapy. Patients should be advised about the seriousness of this condition, as it can lead to permanent impotence if not promptly treated.

Hytrin is prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and not for prostate cancer. Men should be checked for prostate cancer regularly, even while taking Hytrin. The medication does not affect PSA levels, and patients may want to discuss this further with their doctor if they have had a PSA test done.

Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance regarding the warnings and precautions associated with Hytrin.