Consumer Information for: PMS-TERAZOSIN

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


PART III: CONSUMER INFORMATION

Prpms-TERAZOSIN

terazosin tablets (as terazosin hydrochloride)

This leaflet is part III of a three-part “Product Monograph” published when pms-TERAZOSIN was approved for sale in Canada and is designed specifically for consumers. This leaflet is a summary and will not tell you everything about pms-TERAZOSIN Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:

 pms-TERAZOSIN is used to treat:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate gland)

pms-TERAZOSIN is for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and not for prostate cancer. It is possible for men to have both BPH and prostate cancer at the same time. pms-TERAZOSIN is not a treatment for prostate cancer.

Doctors usually recommend that men be checked for prostate cancer once a year when they turn 50 (or 40 if a family member has had prostate cancer). These checks, including Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), should continue while you are taking pms-TERAZOSIN.

What it does:

pms-TERAZOSIN works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. This helps to lower blood pressure.

pms-TERAZOSIN also blocks smooth muscle receptors of the bladder neck and the prostate called alpha-1 adrenoceptors. This blockade causes the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and prostate to relax and decreases muscle tone. This can lead to a rapid improvement in urine flow and symptoms within a 2 week period.

When it should not be used:

pms-TERAZOSIN should not be used if you are allergic to any component of pms-TERAZOSIN including active ingredient and non-active ingredients.

What the medicinal ingredient is:

terazosin hydrochloride

What the non-medicinal ingredients are:

Corn starch, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate or lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, povidone and talc.

In addition, the coating of the tablets contains: 2 mg: FD&C yellow No. 6 Lake 40% or black iron oxide, iron oxide red and yellow iron oxide.

5 mg: Black iron oxide, iron oxide red and yellow iron oxide. 10 mg: FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake 13% and FD&C Blue No.2 Aluminum Lake 13%.

What dosage forms it comes in:

Tablets: 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Serious Warnings and Precautions

  • pms-TERAZOSIN should not be used if you have been diagnosed with micturition syncope (fainting shortly after or during urination).

 BEFORE you use pms-TERAZOSIN talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • you have low blood pressure;

  • you are using sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil ;

  • you have liver problems;

  • you have kidney problems;

  • you have had or will have prostate surgery;

  • you have pancreatic cancer; • you are pregnant or nursing.

During initiation of pms-TERAZOSIN therapy, after your pms-TERAZOSIN dose has been increased, or after interruption of therapy when treatment with pmsTERAZOSIN is resumed you should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do any hazardous task, until you are used to the effects of pms-TERAZOSIN. In these cases, for 12 hours after taking pms-TERAZOSIN you should avoid situations where injury could result should fainting occur. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit or lie down until you feel better.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines including natural health products, prescription and non-prescription medicines.

In general, you should avoid the use of phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil when taking pms-TERAZOSIN due to the risks of developing serious hypotension (low blood pressure).

Administration of pms-TERAZOSIN with verapamil to hypertensive patients may result in low blood pressure and/or a rapid heartbeat.

Do not take these drugs with pms-TERAZOSIN without your doctor’s advice.

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:

Follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully about how to take pms-TERAZOSIN. The starting dose is 1 mg at bedtime. The 1 mg dose should be maintained during the first week of treatment, and should be taken every day as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will then gradually increase the strength of your prescription to 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg depending on how well you respond. The maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg per day.

You should see an effect on your symptoms in 2 to 4 weeks. While taking pms-TERAZOSIN you should have regular checkups to evaluate your progress regarding your BPH and to monitor your blood pressure.

Overdose:
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

If you or someone you know accidentally takes more than the stated dose, tell your doctor or hospital how much was taken and show them the tablets. Treat even small overdoses seriously.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. If it is, do not take the missed dose at all.

Never double-up on a missed dose.

Talk to your doctor if you have not taken pms-TERAZOSIN for a few days. You may have to restart at the 1 mg dose. Be cautious about possible dizziness.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. These are referred to as “side effects”. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

pms-TERAZOSIN can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the very first dose. You may feel dizzy, faint, or "lightheaded", particularly after you get up from bed or from a chair. This is more likely to occur after you have taken the first dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking the drug. It can also occur if you stop taking the drug and then restart treatment.

Because of this effect, your doctor may have told you to take pms-TERAZOSIN at bedtime. If you take pms-TERAZOSIN at bedtime but need to get up from bed to go to the bathroom, get up slowly and cautiously until you are sure how the medicine affects you. It is also important to get up slowly from a chair or bed at anytime until you learn how you react to pms-TERAZOSIN.

Other side effects with pms-TERAZOSIN include back pain, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness or sleepiness, dry mouth, flatulence, headache, impotence, indigestion, libido decreased, nasal congestion, nausea, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence primarily reported in postmenopausal women, weakness or weight gain.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

Symptom / effect

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist

Stop taking drug and seek immediate emergency medical attention

Only if severe

In all cases

Abnormal, irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitation)

   

Allergic reaction

Swollen mouth, lips, tongue, eyes, extremities, throat or difficulty swallowing or breathing (signs of angioedema).

Intestinal angioedema may also occur and is characterized by abdominal pain (with or without nausea or vomiting). If you notice swelling or feel pain in these areas, inform your doctor immediately. You should also inform your doctor if you have unexplained fever, rash or itching.

   

Anxiety

   

Blurred or hazy vision

   

Chest pain

   

Decreased blood pressure or low blood pressure

   

Depression

   

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

   

Drowsiness or sleepiness

   

Fainting

   

Joint inflammation or joint pain

   

Permanent erection

   

“Puffiness” of the feet or hands, swelling

   

Rash

   

Sweating

   

Unknown bruising or increased bleeding after a cut

   

Urinary tract infection

   

Vomiting

   

Weakness

   

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking pms-TERAZOSIN, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

Keep pms-TERAZOSIN and all other medicines out of reach of children. pms-TERAZOSIN tablets should be stored at 15°C to 30°C.

Do not take your tablets after the expiry date shown on the label.

It is important to keep the pms-TERAZOSIN in the original package.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The

Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

MORE INFORMATION

If you want more information about pms-TERAZOSIN: 

This leaflet was prepared by Pharmascience Inc.

Last revised: November 10, 2023