Hytrin

USE OF HYTRIN (TERAZOSIN)

You have a condition known as prostatism. This condition is caused by
the enlargement of the prostate gland, encumbering the urethra (urine tube
leading from the bladder) .The prostate is the male reproductive gland that
produces the ejaculate (produced during orgasm). This gland encircles the
urethra at the base of the bladder. As a natural process of aging, the prostate gland enlarges in a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy. This hypertrophy. or enlargement, causes a series of symptoms known as prostatism. These symptoms include voiding frequently at night, urinary frequency during the daytime, urgency to void, postvoid dribbling, small urinary stream, a sense of incomplete voiding, etc.

There are a variety of treatments available to treat prostatism, especially if
addressed when the symptoms are mild. One of these treatments is the use of the drug Hytrln (the generic is called terazosin). This medication is a member of a class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. It was discovered that the drug causes relaxation of the smooth muscles located within the prostate and the neck or bottom of the bladder. Similar smooth muscles are present in the arteries of the body and by relaxing these arteries, Hytrin causes a lowering of the blood pressure.

Men who have prostatism, take advantage of the drug's effects to relax the muscle within and above the prostate to partially
increase the functional channel width of the urethra.

Most often, the medicine is administered once a day, usually at bedtime. Often a 1 milligram dose is what is started first, since it is the minimal amount available.

Known adverse effects of this medication include fainting, decrease in blood pressure when going from a flat position to a sitting or a standing position, headaches, racing heart, decreased appetite, swelling of the legs, dry mouth, nasal congestion and dizziness. Although it is unlikely you will experience any of these side effects, it is important that you know they exist so that it they do occur , you can take the appropriate steps to identify their source.

By far the most common side effect of this medication is a feeling of lightheadedness when going from laying flat in bed to standing up. Since a
patient with prostatism will often get up at night to go to the restroom. It is
important that some precautions be made to avoid the lightheadedness progressing to fainting. When arising from bed at night or first thing in the morning, sit up on the side of the bed and allow one minute to pass. Once that minute has elapsed, stand up beside the bed and allow an additional half minute to one minute to pass. If no sensation of lightheadedness is encountered, proceed to walk. As is noted above, most men experience no side effects with the use of the medication; however, to make sure that no problems are unexpectedly encountered, please use this method in arising from bed during the first week of the use of the medication and at any time that the medication dosage is changed.

If you should experience any unpleasant side effects or those noted above,
please stop the medication and discuss them during your next regularly scheduled office visit unless an emergency situation arises.

If the medication works, you will likely need to take it lifelong or until another therapy is selected. If the medication does not work in a minimal dose, increasing the dosage will be done carefully and under observation.

If you should have any questions, please write them down and address them when you see the physician next.