Medicine information
Uses & overview
Terazosin IP 1 mg is a prescription medicine used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) or urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depending on the doctor's assessment. It belongs to the alpha-1 adrenergic blocker class and works by relaxing smooth muscles in blood vessels and, in men with an enlarged prostate, around the prostate and bladder outlet. For high blood pressure, terazosin helps relax blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and helping lower blood pressure. For BPH, it may help relieve symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream, and frequent or nighttime urination. It does not shrink the prostate itself. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, tiredness, and light-headedness. A sudden drop in blood pressure after the first dose or after restarting treatment can cause fainting, which is why careful dose initiation is important.
How to use
Follow your prescription: Take the exact dose recommended by your healthcare professional. Do not increase the dose yourself, even if your symptoms have not improved. Take the first dose at bedtime if instructed: Terazosin can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, particularly after the first dose. Your doctor may advise taking the initial dose at bedtime to reduce the risk of dizziness or fainting. Take it consistently: Follow your prescribed daily schedule. Take the tablet with water and follow the instructions on the product leaflet. Be careful when restarting: If you stop taking terazosin for several days, contact your doctor before restarting. You may need to begin again at a lower dose to reduce the risk of fainting. If you miss a dose: Follow your product leaflet or ask your pharmacist for advice. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet. Rise slowly: Move gradually from lying down or sitting to standing, especially when beginning treatment or after a dose increase. Monitor your response: If you are taking terazosin for blood pressure, check your readings as advised. If it is prescribed for BPH, report persistent urinary symptoms or difficulty passing urine. Review other medicines: Tell your doctor about other blood pressure medicines, diuretics, erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil, and all supplements, as combinations can increase the risk of low blood pressure. Do not stop treatment independently: Contact your healthcare professional if side effects occur or if you think the medicine is not helping. Seek urgent care when necessary: Fainting, chest pain, or an inability to pass urine requires prompt medical assessment.
