Hytrin
Side Effects
as reported by "The PDR® Family Guide To Prescription Drugs®"
Why is this drug prescribed:
Hytrin is prescribed to reduce high blood pressure. It may be used alone or
in combination with other blood pressure lowering drugs, such as HydroDIURIL (a diuretic)
or Inderal, a beta blocker.
Hytrin is also prescribed to relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic
hyperplasia or BPH. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland that surrounds the urinary
canal. It leads to the following symptoms:
- a weak or interrupted stream when urinating
- a feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely
- a feeling of delay when you start to urinate
- a need to urinate often, especially at night
- a feeling that you must urinate right away
Hytrin relaxes the tightness of a certain type of muscle in the
prostate and at the opening of the bladder. This can reduce the severity of the symptoms.
More common side effects may include:
Difficult or labored breathing, dizziness, headache, heart palpitations,
light-headedness upon standing, nausea, pain in the arms and legs, sleepiness, stuffy
nose, swollen wrists and ankles, weakness
If these symptoms persist, tell your doctor. Your dosage of Hytrin may
be higher than needed.
Less common side effects may include: Anxiety, back pain, blurred vision, bronchitis,
conjunctivitis (inflamed eyes), constipation, decreased sex drive, depression, diarrhea,
dimmed vision, dry mouth, facial swelling, fainting, fever, flu or cold symptoms (cough,
sore throat, runny nose), fluid retention, frequent urination, gas, gout, impotence,
inability to hold urine, increased heart rate, indigestion, inflamed sinuses, insomnia,
irregular heartbeat, itching, joint pain and inflammation, low blood pressure, muscle
aches, nasal inflammation, nervousness, nosebleed, numbness or tingling, painful lasting
erection, pain in the abdomen, chest, neck, or shoulder, rash, ringing in the ears, severe
allergic reaction, sweating, urinary tract infection, vertigo, vision changes, vomiting,
weight gain.
Special warnings about this medication:
When your blood pressure falls in response to Hytrin, you may faint. Other
less severe reactions include dizziness, heart palpitations, light-headedness, and
drowsiness. You are also likely to feel dizzy or faint whenever you rise from a sitting or
lying position; this should disappear as your body becomes accustomed to
Hytrin. If your
occupation is such that these symptoms might cause serious problems, make sure your doctor
knows this from the start; he or she will increase your Hytrin dosage very cautiously.
Regardless of your occupation, avoid drinking, climbing, and other
hazardous tasks at the following times:
- for 12 hours after your first dose of Hytrin
- with each new dosage increase
- when you re-start Hytrin after any treatment interruption
If you are taking Hytrin for benign prostatic
hyperplasia, remember that although
Hytrin helps relieve the symptoms of BPH, it does NOT change the size of the prostate,
which may continue to grow. You may still need surgery in the future. In addition, it is
possible to have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time.
If you develop the side effect called priapism – a painful erection that lasts for
hours – call your doctor without delay. The condition can lead to impotence if not
treated immediately.
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