What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about HYTRIN. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking HYTRIN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What HYTRIN is used for
HYTRIN is available only with a doctor's prescription.
HYTRIN may be given to you by your doctor for one of two very different conditions.
- HYTRIN may be given to treat a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. In this condition there is enlargement of the prostate gland, which leads to difficulty passing urine. The urine flow is often weak and you may have the feeling that you need to pass urine frequently (during both day and night). HYTRIN helps to relieve the obstruction in the prostate gland and improves the flow of urine.
- HYTRIN may also be used to treat high blood pressure (hyper-tension) in men and women.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why HYTRIN has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed HYTRIN for another reason.
Before you take HYTRIN
When you must not take it
Do not take HYTRIN if you have an allergy to:
- any similar medications such as prazosin (Minipress).
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
The 'first dose effect' of HYTRIN.
HYTRIN may cause a marked fall in blood pressure after the first dose. This may cause dizziness or fainting in some patients. To help avoid this, there is a starter pack, so that you may build up your dose slowly. Dizziness is not usually a continuing side effect. In order to prevent fainting or dizziness, it is suggested that for the first four days the 1 mg (white) tablets be taken at bedtime. After this period, it is suggested the tablets be taken each morning to maximise their benefits.
Any dizziness, lightheadedness or uneven heartbeats you may experience will be reduced by always standing up slowly from sitting or lying down and waiting for any side-effects to disappear before walking. This effect usually lessens as your body adjusts to the medication over time.
Do not use HYTRIN after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not use HYTRIN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking HYTRIN contact your doctor.
Before you start to take HYTRIN
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, dyes or preservatives.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical conditions especially the following:
- any heart problems
- low blood pressure
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking HYTRIN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking HYTRIN.
How to take HYTRIN
How much to take
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. If you do not understand the instructions on the box/bottle, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How to take it
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
When to take it
Patients usually take HYTRIN at bedtime for the first 4 nights to reduce the chances of dizziness. After this the tablets are usually taken once a day, each morning. Taking your medicine at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it.
HYTRIN may be taken with or without food.
Your doctor will adjust your dose depending on your condition and response to the medicine. HYTRIN relieves your condition.
It will not cure it. HYTRIN is usually taken continuously to prevent your symptoms.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
Treatment with HYTRIN is usually long term. Keep taking HYTRIN for as long as your doctor recommends.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you miss more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
If an overdose occurs, or HYTRIN is taken by a child, immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much HYTRIN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much HYTRIN, it may cause a large fall in blood pressure and this may cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting and fast heart rate.
While you are taking HYTRIN
Things you must do
If you become pregnant while taking HYTRIN, tell your doctor.
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking HYTRIN.
If you are going to have surgery including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking HYTRIN. Visit your doctor regularly so that they can check on your progress.
Things you must not do
Do not take HYTRIN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking HYTRIN, or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful getting up from a sitting position.
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting may occur, especially when you get up quickly. Getting up slowly may help.
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how HYTRIN affects you.
As with other medicines, HYTRIN may cause dizziness, lightheadedness or tiredness in some people. If this occurs, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are tired, dizzy or lightheaded. It is advised not to drive or perform hazardous tasks for 12 hours after the first dose or when resuming therapy after a break.
If you drink alcohol while taking HYTRIN, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking HYTRIN.
Like all other medicines, HYTRIN may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
As with most medicines, if you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects. Report any side effects to your doctor promptly.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following more common side effects and they worry you:
- dizziness
- tiredness
- uneven heart beat
- nausea
- stuffy nose
- blurred vision
- impotence
Some of these effects may lessen with time. All of these effects are reversible with stopping therapy.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using HYTRIN
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack they will not keep well.
Keep HYTRIN in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store HYTRIN or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep your tablets where children cannot reach them.
A locked cupboard at lest one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking HYTRIN, or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets left over.
Product description
What it looks like
HYTRIN is available as:
HYTRIN 1mg: White round tablet.
HYTRIN 2mg: Yellow round tablet.
HYTRIN 5mg: Tan round tablet.
HYTRIN 10mg: Blue round tablet.
HYTRIN Starter Pack contains 7 x 1mg tablets and 7 x 2mg tablets in a blister pack in a cardboard carton.
HYTRIN 2mg tablets, 5mg tablets and 10mg tablets are presented in blister packs of 28 tablets inside a cardboard carton.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in HYTRIN tablets is terazosin hydrochloride. Each tablet also contains lactose, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, purified talc and magnesium stearate.
HYTRIN 1mg tablets contain no colouring.
HYTRIN 2mg tablets contain Dye Quinoline Yellow CI47005 - Aluminium Lake.
HYTRIN 5mg tablets contain Dye Iron Oxide Red CI77491, Iron Oxide Yellow CI77492. Iron Oxide Black CI77499.
HYTRIN 10mg tablets contain Dye Indigo Carmine CI73015 - Aluminium Lake.
Supplier
HYTRIN tablets are supplied by:
BGP Products Pty Ltd
ABN 29 601 608 771
299 Lane Cove Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Australia
Australian Registration Numbers:
HYTRIN Starter Pack - AUST R 121315
HYTRIN 2mg - AUST R 121317
HYTRIN 5mg - AUST R 121318
HYTRIN 10mg - AUST R 121319
Date of this text:
15 July 2015
Version 02