Health Centres - Hytrin (terazosin)
How does it work?
Hytrin tablets contain the active ingredient terazosin, which is a type of medicine called an alpha-blocker. (NB. Terazosin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Terazosin has two quite different uses. It works by blocking alpha receptors in certain areas of the body.
Alpha receptors are found on the muscle in the prostate gland. This gland is found only in men and lies at the top of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside (urethra). The prostate gland often enlarges with advancing age (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and presses on the urethra. This can cause symptoms such as difficulty passing urine. By blocking the alpha receptors in the prostate gland, terazosin causes the muscle in the prostate to relax. This allows urine to flow freely past the prostate and relieves the urinary symptoms of this condition.
Alpha receptors are also found in the muscle in the walls of blood vessels. By blocking these receptors, terazosin causes the muscle to relax and allows the blood vessels to widen. This lets the blood pass more easily through the blood vessels and hence reduces blood pressure. Terazosin can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.
What is it used for?
-
Enlarged prostate gland
- Mild to moderate high blood pressure.
Warning!
- The first dose of this medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness or fainting. For this reason you should take the first dose, and preferably each dose, just before retiring to bed at night. Take care when moving from lying down to sitting or standing, particularly if you wake up in the night, until you know how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy or light-headed at any time during treatment, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.
- This medicine may cause fatigue and dizziness. You should take care when performing potentially hazardous activites, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you and are sure you can perform such activities safely.
- Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of this medicine, which may result in dizziness or fainting.
- If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next scheduled dose, in which case leave out the missed dose and continue as normal. Do not take two doses at the same time, as this can make your blood pressure drop too low. If you miss treatment for more than a few days for any reason, then consult your doctor, as you may need to re-start the medicine at a lower dose.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people.
Not to be used in
- Allergy to any ingredient.
- This medicine is not recommended for people who have ever fainted after passing urine (micturition syncope), or who suffer from drops in blood pressure that cause dizziness when moving from lying or sitting to standing (postural hypotension).
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, hence its safety for use during breastfeeding has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
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