Hytrin (Terazosin)

Hytrin is used for treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Hytrin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels, resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms.

Hytrin belongs to a class of medications, called alpha 1 blockers which relaxes the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck. Other alpha blockers in the same class of drugs include doxazosin (Cardura), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), tamsulosin (Flomax), and prazosin (Minipress). Relaxing the smooth muscles of the arteries lowers blood pressure. Relaxing the smooth muscles around the bladder neck relieves urinary obstruction, caused by an enlarged prostate (prostate hypertrophy).

Some medical conditions may interact with Hytrin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have prostate cancer, angina pectoris, heart disease, or kidney or liver problems.

• Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) or verapamil because severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur.

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; weakness.

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; chest pain; decreased sexual ability; difficulty breathing; easy bleeding or bruising; fainting; painful penile erection; pounding or tightness in the chest; ringing in the ears; swelling of the hands or feet.

It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your blood pressure. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.