Terazosin

Terazosin is an oral prescription medication classified as an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker. It is primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged and causes urinary symptoms in men. 

By blocking alpha-1 receptors on smooth muscle, terazosin relaxes blood vessels and the muscles in the bladder neck and prostate, allowing for improved blood flow and easier urination. It is not a cure for BPH but helps manage some symptoms caused by the condition, such as difficulty starting urination, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently.

Terazosin is typically taken once daily, with doses ranging from 1 milligram (mg) to 20 mg, depending on the condition being treated and the person's response to the medication.

Terazosin’s side effects are generally mild, but can sometimes cause heart palpitations, swelling, or blurred vision, among other symptoms.

Terazosin is indicated:

• For the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• For the treatment of hypertension

Alpha blocker

Adverse reactions during placebo-controlled trials benign prostatic hyperplasia:

• Weakness

• Flu syndrome

• Headache

• Low blood pressure

• Heart fluttering

• Postural low blood pressure

• Fainting

• Nausea

• Peripheral swelling

• Weight gain

• Dizziness

• Somnolence

• Vertigo

• Shortness of breath

• Nasal congestion

• Blurred vision

• Erectile dysfunction

• Urinary tract infection

Adverse reactions during placebo-controlled trials hypertension:

• Weakness

• Back pain

• headache

• Heart fluttering

• Postural low blood pressure

• Fast heart beat

• Nausea

• Swelling

• Peripheral swelling

• Weight gain

• Pain in extremities

• Depression

• Dizziness

• Libido decreased

• Nervousness

• Tingling

• Somnolence

• Shortness of breath

• Nasal congestion

• Inflammation of the sinuses

• Blurred vision

• Erectile dysfunction

The cost of terazosin may vary depending on the dosage, quantity, where you buy it, and your insurance plan. The average retail price of terazosin is about $38 for a month’s supply of 5-milligram capsules, but coupons and discount cards may be available to bring down the price as low as about $3. Health insurance may cover all or some of the cost of this medication.

• Terazosin is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to terazosin hydrochloride

• Carcinoma of the prostate and BPH cause many of the same symptoms

• Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on/or previously treated with alpha-1 blockers

• While fainting is the most severe orthostatic effect of terazosin, other symptoms of lowered blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness and palpitations, were more common and occurred in some 28% of patients in clinical trials of hypertension

• Patients should be made aware of the possibility of fainting and orthostatic symptoms, especially at the initiation of therapy, and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks for 12 hours after the first dose, after a dosage increase and after interruption of therapy when treatment is resumed

• Patients should also be told that drowsiness or somnolence can occur with terazosin, requiring caution in people who must drive or operate heavy machinery

• Patients should be advised about the possibility of priapism as a result of treatment with terazosin and other similar medications

• Small but statistically significant decreases in hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, total protein and albumin were observed in controlled clinical trials

• Pregnancy: Terazosin is not recommended during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the mother and fetus

• Breastfeeding: Caution should be exercised when terazosin is administered to a nursing woman

*This information is from the terazosin hydrochloride label used by Bionpharma Inc. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Terazosin hydrochloride may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient terazosin hydrochloride.