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What is the most important information I should know about terazosin?

Before taking terazosin, tell your doctor if you use any other blood pressure medications, especially verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan). You may need a dosage adjustment if you take terazosin with other blood pressure medicines.

Terazosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. To avoid falling, take the first dose of terazosin at bedtime. You may wish to continue taking this medication only at bedtime if it causes you to feel light-headed.

You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.

If you stopped taking terazosin for any reason and have started taking it again, you may feel especially dizzy or light-headed after your first few doses.

Terazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with terazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take terazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

What is terazosin?

Terazosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers. Terazosin causes the blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and expand, improving blood flow. Terazosin also relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Terazosin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Terazosin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking terazosin?

Terazosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with terazosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take terazosin. Do not stop using the medication before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether terazosin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.