hytrin

General information:

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If you have any questions about Hytrin , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Hytrin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. Do not use it for other health conditions.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
If using Hytrin for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Hytrin . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: September 5, 2007
Database Edition 07.3.1.003
Copyright © 2007 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Possible side effects of Hytrin :

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All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; lightheadedness; nasal congestion; nausea; weakness.Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; chest pain; decreased sexual ability; difficulty breathing; easy bleeding or bruising; fainting; painful penile erection; pounding or tightness in the chest; ringing in the ears; swelling of the hands or feet.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Important safety information:

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Hytrin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Hytrin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Hytrin ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
Hytrin may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure after the very first dose. Take you first dose at bedtime. If you get up during the night, sit up slowly, then stand slowly. This will help to reduce your lightheadedness or dizziness. These effects will more likely occur after you have taken the first few doses or if you have increased your dose, but can occur at any time while you are taking the medicine. It can also occur if you stop taking the medicine and restart treatment.
Hytrin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
Hytrin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
Hytrin should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Hytrin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Hytrin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Hytrin , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

How to use Hytrin :

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Use Hytrin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
An extra patient leaflet is available with Hytrin . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
If you miss a dose of Hytrin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hytrin .

Before using Hytrin :

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Some medical conditions may interact with Hytrin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have prostate cancer, angina pectoris, heart disease, kidney or liver problems, or any other medical condition
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hytrin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) or verapamil because severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hytrin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Do NOT use Hytrin if:

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you are allergic to any ingredient in Hytrin or to similar medicines (eg, prazosin)
you are currently taking a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil), a medicine used frequently for sexual dysfunction
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Hytrin is used for:

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Treating high blood pressure and treating signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Hytrin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the blood vessels, resulting in lowering of blood pressure. In BPH, alpha-blockers work by relaxing muscles around the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder), which improves urinary symptoms.