terazosin
Brand names: Hytrin
Terazosin is a medicine that can help men with enlarged prostate and also treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing certain muscles in your body.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.15/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Terazosin is used to treat enlarged prostate in men.
Common side effects
Feeling weak or tired, Dizziness, Stuffy nose
Key warnings
Be careful when you first start taking terazosin, as it can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
How It Works
Terazosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. It also relaxes blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure.
How to Take It
Take terazosin capsules as directed by your doctor. For enlarged prostate, the starting dose is 1 mg at bedtime. Your doctor may increase the dose slowly to 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg once a day. For high blood pressure, the usual dose is 1 mg to 5 mg once a day, but some people may need up to 20 mg.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if terazosin can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if terazosin passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of terazosin, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store terazosin capsules at room temperature (68 to 77°F) in a tight, light-resistant container, away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 3,730 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 7,436 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2002–2025.
Total Reports
7,436
Death-Related Reports
836
Hospitalization Reports
2,657
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 474 |
| 2 | FATIGUE | 466 |
| 3 | DIARRHOEA | 395 |
| 4 | DIZZINESS | 385 |
| 5 | DYSPNOEA | 383 |
| 6 | ASTHENIA | 351 |
| 7 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 331 |
| 8 | DEATH | 325 |
| 9 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 319 |
| 10 | RENAL FAILURE | 301 |
| 11 | OFF LABEL USE | 297 |
| 12 | FALL | 283 |
| 13 | NAUSEA | 282 |
| 14 | PAIN | 267 |
| 15 | PNEUMONIA | 253 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Be careful when you first start taking terazosin, as it can cause your blood pressure to drop too low. This can lead to dizziness or fainting. Take your first dose at bedtime and be careful when standing up.
Known Drug Interactions
Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin); antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole); anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride); antigout (e.g., allopurinol); antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine); cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol); corticosteroids; gastrointestinal...
Mechanism: Both drugs are used to lower blood pressure. Taking them at the same time can cause an additive effect, making your blood pressure drop lower than usual.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your blood pressure more often. Be careful when standing up to avoid dizziness.
Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin); antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole); anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride); antigout (e.g., allopurinol); antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine); cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol); corticosteroids; gastrointestinal...
Mechanism: Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs that can cause the body to retain fluid. This may make blood pressure medications like terazosin less effective.
What to do: Let your doctor know if you take ibuprofen regularly. They may want to check your blood pressure to ensure the medicine is still working well.
Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin); antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole); anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride); antigout (e.g., allopurinol); antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine); cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol); corticosteroids; gastrointestinal...
Mechanism: These medications have been used together in clinical trials without any reported problems. There is no known negative interaction between them.
What to do: You can continue taking both medications as prescribed. No special monitoring is usually necessary for this combination.
Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin); antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole); anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride); antigout (e.g., allopurinol); antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine); cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol); corticosteroids; gastrointestinal...
Mechanism: These drugs have been used together in many patients without any harmful effects being reported. They do not typically interfere with each other.
What to do: No special changes are typically needed when taking these together. Follow your doctor's instructions for both medicines.
Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin); antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole); anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride); antigout (e.g., allopurinol); antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine); cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol); corticosteroids; gastrointestinal...
Mechanism: Both of these medications work to lower blood pressure. Using them together can cause your blood pressure to drop more than if you took only one.
What to do: Your doctor might need to adjust your dose. Watch for signs of dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when you first start taking them together.
Common Questions
Can I take terazosin with other blood pressure medicines?
How long does it take for terazosin to start working?
Can terazosin cause dizziness?
Can I drink alcohol while taking terazosin?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking terazosin?
Can terazosin affect my sex life?
Is it safe to drive while taking terazosin?
What are the different strengths of terazosin capsules?
How should I dispose of unused terazosin capsules?
Can I stop taking terazosin suddenly?
What are the common side effects of terazosin?
Does terazosin interact with other medications?
What drug class is terazosin?
Is terazosin safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Alpha-1 Blocker
Other drugs grouped near terazosin — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
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aliskiren
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amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
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amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
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amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
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What the FDA Data Shows for terazosin
The FDA label for terazosin (sold under brand names such as Hytrin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Alpha-1 Blocker class. Terazosin is used to treat enlarged prostate in men. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling weak or tired, Dizziness, Stuffy nose.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,730 voluntary reports. The database also lists 15 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.15.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 20, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages