Adult: Initially, 1 mg at bedtime, may be increased gradually at intervals of 1-2 weeks according to patient's response. Maintenance: 5-10 mg once daily.
Oral Hypertension
Adult: As monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents (e.g. diuretics, β-blockers): Initially, 1 mg at bedtime, may be increased gradually at weekly intervals according to patient's response. Maintenance: 2-10 mg once daily. Max: 20 mg daily.
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Contraindications
History of micturition syncope.
Special Precautions
Patient with heart failure, pulmonary oedema due to mitral or aortic valve stenosis. Patient undergoing cataract surgery. Concomitant use with other antihypertensive agents (e.g. verapamil). Hepatic impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy and lactation.
Adverse Reactions
Significant: Postural hypotension, syncope (particularly during the initial treatment); intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (during cataract surgery). Rarely, priapism. Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Thrombocytopenia. Cardiac disorders: Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation. Ear and labyrinth disorders: Vertigo, tinnitus. Eye disorders: Blurred vision, amblyopia, visual impairment, conjunctivitis. Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, dry mouth, flatulence, dyspepsia. General disorders and administration site conditions: Asthenia, pyrexia, chest pain. Immune system disorders: Rarely, allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis). Investigations: Increased weight; decreased haematocrit, Hb, WBC count, total protein and blood albumin. Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Peripheral oedema, facial oedema. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Pain in extremities, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, arthralgia, myalgia, gout, arthritis, joint disorders. Nervous system disorders: Dizziness, somnolence, headache, paraesthesia. Psychiatric disorders: Depression, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia. Renal and urinary disorders: UTI, urinary incontinence (primarily in postmenopausal women), urinary frequency. Reproductive system and breast disorders: Erectile dysfunction, decreased libido. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Rhinitis, nasal congestion, sinusitis, cough, bronchitis, pharyngitis, dyspnoea, flu symptoms, cold symptoms, epistaxis. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Hyperhidrosis, rash, pruritus. Vascular disorders: Vasodilation.
This drug may cause dizziness and drowsiness, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
Monitoring Parameters
Monitor blood pressure (standing and sitting or supine position), particularly 2-4 hours after the initial dose and thereafter. Observe for dizziness, palpitations, somnolence, and impotence during initiation of therapy and regularly. In patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Rule out the presence of prostate carcinoma before initiating therapy; monitor the International Prostate Symptom Score (at baseline and 4-12 weeks after initiation of treatment) and urinalysis (at baseline).
Overdosage
Symptom: Acute hypotension. Management: Supportive treatment. Prioritise CV support. Keep the patient in a supine position to restore blood pressure and normalise heart rate; if inadequate, may give volume expanders to treat shock first and then administer vasopressors if necessary. Monitor renal function.
Drug Interactions
Increased incidence of dizziness or other dizziness-related adverse events with ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril) and diuretics. May increase the risk of hypotension with other antihypertensive agents (e.g. verapamil) and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g. sildenafil, tadalafil).
Food Interaction
Delayed time to peak plasma concentration with food.
Action
Description: Terazosin is an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist. It decreases blood pressure by reducing the total peripheral vascular resistance through competitive inhibition of the postsynaptic α1-adrenoceptors. Additionally, the blockade of these receptors in the bladder neck and prostate produces smooth muscle relaxation, thus reducing bladder outlet obstruction. Onset: Antihypertensive effect: Within 15 minutes. Duration: Antihypertensive effect: 24 hours. Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Delayed time to peak plasma concentration with food by approx 40 minutes. Bioavailability: Approx 90%. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 1 hour. Distribution: Plasma protein binding: Approx 90-94%. Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver via demethylation and conjugation; undergoes minimal first-pass metabolism. Excretion: Via urine (approx 40%, approx 10% as unchanged drug); faeces (approx 60%, approx 20% as unchanged drug). Elimination half-life: Approx 8-13 hours.
Chemical Structure
Terazosin Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5401, Terazosin. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Terazosin. Accessed May 26, 2022.
Storage
Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light and moisture. Storage recommendations may vary among individual products. Refer to specific product guidelines.