Prescription Drug Index
TERAZOSIN
This is a Generic Prescription Drug
Terazosin
Pronounced: ter-ay-zoe-sin
Generic name: Terazosin hydrochloride
Terazosin is prescribed to reduce high blood pressure. It may be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure lowering drugs such as diuretics or beta-blockers.
Terazosin is also prescribed to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland that surrounds the urinary canal. It leads to the following symptoms:
a weak or interrupted stream when urinating
a feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely
a feeling of delay when you start to urinate
a need to urinate often especially at night
a feeling that you must urinate right away
Terazosin relaxes the tightness of a certain type of muscle in the prostate and at the opening of the bladder. This can reduce the severity of the symptoms.
ADULTS
High Blood Pressure
The usual initial dose is 1 milligram at bedtime. Your doctor may slowly increase the dose until your blood pressure has been lowered sufficiently. The usual recommended dosage range is 1 milligram to 5 milligrams taken once a day; however some people may benefit from doses as high as 20 milligrams per day.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The starting dose is 1 milligram at bedtime. This is the case because Terazosin can cause substantial drowsiness at first. As your body becomes used to it your dose may gradually increase to 5 to 10 milligrams once a day. Some patients may need 20 milligrams a day.
If you stop taking Terazosin for several days or longer your dosage should be re-started at 1 milligram at bedtime.
CHILDREN
Safety and effectiveness of Terazosin in children have not been established.
Note:
The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. This information regarding the following Canadian drugs is not intended to replace or act as a substitute for information or advice provided by your physician. You should always consult a physician before beginning a new medication. Moreover, prescription drugs should only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
If you would like more information on different medications, please click here for a list of the most reliable sites on the internet for prescription drug information.