Adult Dosing
Hypertension
- Initial dose: 1 mg PO qhs
- Usual dose: 1-5 mg PO qd
- Max: 20 mg/day
Note:
- If the drug is discontinued for several days, therapy should be re-started using the initial dosing regimen
- Monitor BP 2-3 hours after dosing to see if the maximum and minimum responses are similar and at the end of the dosing interval to make sure control is maintained throughout the interval
- If response is substantially diminished at 24 hrs, increase the dose or use divided doses bid
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Initial dose: 1 mg PO qhs
- Titrate the dose in a step-wise manner to 2 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg PO qd to achieve desired effects
- 10 mg PO qd x 4-6 wks is preferred to achieve beneficial response; alt 20 mg/day
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Terazosin may cause significant low blood pressure, postural hypotension, syncope at first dose or at first few days of therapy; these events may also occur on restarting of therapy following interruption for several days
- Syncope has been reported with rapid increase in dosing or after addition of another antihypertensive. Syncopal episode may be preceded by episodes of severe supraventricular tachycardia with heart rates of 120-160 beats/min in some patients. Hemodilution induced by the drug might cause the symptoms of postural hypotension
- To reduce the risk of syncope and excessive hypotension, initiate therapy with low dose (1 mg/day) given at bedtime and gradually increase to achieve desired results; monitor patients carefully and additional antihypertensive agents must be added with caution
- Caution patients to avoid situations such as driving or performing hazardous tasks, where injury might occur due to syncope during initiation of therapy
- Make patients aware of possible first-dose syncope; if it occurs advice the patient to lie down and treat supportively as necessary. There is evidence that the orthostatic effect is higher, even in chronic use, shortly after dosing
- Rare occasions of priapism have been reported. Caution patients about the seriousness of the condition and institute prompt treatment as it may lead to permanent impotence
- Rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate before starting therapy
- Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) has been noted during cataract surgery in some patients on/or previously treated with alpha-1 blockers
- Statistically significant reductions in hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBCs, total protein, and albumin may occur, possibly due to hemodilution
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Concomitant administration with antihypertensive agents
- Concomitant administration of PDE-5 inhibitor
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients to sit or lie down when symptoms of reduced blood pressure occur and to be cautious when rising from a sitting or lying position
- Caution patients against driving or performing hazardous tasks for the first 12 hours after taking terazosin or when the dose is increased or following interruption of therapy
- Advise patients to report their physicians promptly if dizziness, lightheadedness, or palpitations become bothersome
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown. Information on the use of terazosin during breastfeeding is unavailable. An alternate drug is preferred especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http//toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 16 March 2011). Manufacturer advises caution.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Terazosin HCl 10 MG CAPS [Bottle] (CADISTA)
30 mg = $13.99
90 mg = $33.99 - Terazosin HCl 5 MG CAPS [Bottle] (SANDOZ)
30 mg = $13.99
90 mg = $33.99
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
