Generic Terazosin Hydrochloride

Introduction

Terazosin Hydrochloride is an oral α₁‑adrenergic receptor antagonist used primarily to lower elevated blood pressure and to alleviate urinary obstruction caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In Hong Kong, the medication is listed under the Blood Pressure and General Health groups and is available through licensed pharmacies as a generic product. The active compound, Terazosin Hydrochloride, provides a therapeutic option for patients who require sustained blood pressure control or relief from lower urinary tract symptoms when other agents are unsuitable or insufficient.

What is Terazosin Hydrochloride?

Terazosin Hydrochloride is the generic version of Hytrin®, which contains the same active compound Terazosin Hydrochloride. The medication was originally developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and has been marketed worldwide for over three decades. Our online pharmacy provides this generic alternative as a cost‑effective treatment option, offering the same clinical efficacy as the branded product while reducing out‑of‑pocket expenses for patients in Hong Kong.

• Drug class: α₁‑adrenergic receptor blocker (alpha‑blocker)
• Formulation: Film‑coated tablets, typically 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths
• Regulatory status: Approved by the Hong Kong Department of Health and listed in the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138)

How Terazosin Hydrochloride Works

Terazosin selectively binds to α₁‑adrenergic receptors located on vascular smooth muscle and the prostate’s stromal tissue. By blocking these receptors, the drug prevents norepinephrine‑induced vasoconstriction, leading to relaxation of arterial and venous walls. The resulting decrease in peripheral vascular resistance lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure, typically within 30 to 60 minutes after the first dose, with a peak effect at 2 to 4 hours.

In the prostate and bladder neck, α₁‑receptor blockade diminishes smooth‑muscle tone, improving urine flow and reducing residual volume. The half‑life of terazosin ranges from 8 to 12 hours, allowing once‑daily dosing after the initial titration phase. Clearance is primarily hepatic, with renal excretion of metabolites; therefore, dose adjustments are rarely required in mild to moderate renal impairment.

Conditions Treated with Terazosin Hydrochloride

• Essential hypertension – Hypertension prevalence in Hong Kong exceeds 25 % among adults aged 40 years and older. Terazosin provides an alternative mechanism of action to calcium‑channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and thiazide diuretics, especially when patients exhibit resistant or isolated systolic hypertension.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – Age‑related prostate enlargement affects up to 50 % of men over 60 years in the region. By relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck, terazosin alleviates urinary urgency, nocturia, and weak stream, improving quality of life without the need for surgical intervention.

Both indications are supported by large, randomized controlled trials (e.g., the ALLHAT and DOCA studies) that demonstrated comparable efficacy to other antihypertensives and α‑blockers, with a favorable safety profile when titrated appropriately.

Who is Terazosin Hydrochloride For?

• Adults with newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension who cannot achieve target blood pressure with first‑line agents alone.
• Men aged 50 years and above experiencing moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH, particularly when bladder outlet obstruction is confirmed by uroflowmetry.