TERAZOSIN: 531 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

DESCRIPTION Terazosin hydrochloride, USP an alpha-1-selective adrenoceptor blocking agent, is a quinazoline derivative represented by the following chemical name and structural formula: (RS)-Piperazine,1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-[(tetra-hydro-2-furanyl)carbonyl]-, monohydrochloride, dihydrate. Terazosin hydrochloride, USP is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder, slightly soluble in water pH 1.3 (HCl), water pH 12.6 (NaOH), ethanol 95% and chloroform, sparingly soluble in water pH 6, soluble in methanol, and practically insoluble in n-hexane. Its molecular formula is C 19 H 25 N 5 O 4

• HCl•2H 2 O and has a molecular weight of 459.93 g/mole. Each capsule, for oral administration, contains terazosin hydrochloride, USP equivalent to 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg of terazosin. In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and pregelatinized starch. The capsule shell contains D&C yellow no. 10 (2 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg), D&C red no. 28 (5 mg), FD& C green no. 3 (10 mg), FD&C red no. 40 (5 mg), gelatin, iron oxide black (1 mg), sodium lauryl sulfate, and titanium dioxide. The capsules are printed with black ink composed of ammonia solution, black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and shellac. FDA approved dissolution test specifications differ from USP. image description

1 INDICATIONS & USAGE TEZRULY TM (terazosin) is an alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist indicated for: The treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (1.1) The treatment of hypertension alone or with other antihypertensive agents, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarction. (1.2)

1.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia TEZRULY is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult males <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies (14.1)]</span> .

1.2 Hypertension TEZRULY is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies (14.2)]</span> . Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes. Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC). Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits. The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly. Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit. Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal. Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease). These considerations may guide selection of therapy. TEZRULY may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION For the treatment of BPH: Initiate therapy at 1 mg orally once daily at bedtime. Titrate the dose upwards step-wise from 2 mg to 10 mg once daily. Doses of 10 mg once daily are generally required for a clinical response. Data is insufficient to support doses greater than 20 mg once daily. (2.1) For the treatment hypertension: Initiate therapy at 1 mg orally once daily at bedtime. Usual recommended dose range is 1 mg to 5 mg once daily. If response is substantially diminished at 24 hours, increase the dose or use twice daily. Dose may be titrated as needed up to 20 mg once daily. (2.2) If terazosin is discontinued for more than a few days, restart using the initial dosing regimen. (2.1)

2.1 Recommended Dosage for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Initial Dose: 1 mg orally once daily at bedtime. This dose should not be exceeded as an initial dose. Closely follow patients during initial administration in order to minimize the risk of severe hypotensive response, including syncope. For administration instructions, see Dosage and Administration (2.3).

Subsequent

Doses: The dose should be increased in a stepwise fashion from 2 mg to 10 mg orally once daily to achieve the desired improvement of symptoms and/or flow rates. Doses of 10 mg once daily are generally required for a clinical response. Therefore, treatment with 10 mg for a minimum of 4 weeks to 6 weeks may be required to assess whether a beneficial response has been achieved. Although some patients responded to 20 mg per daily, data are insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about this dose. There are insufficient data to support the use of doses higher than 20 mg daily. If TEZRULY is discontinued for more than a few days, therapy should be restarted using the initial dosing regimen. For administration instructions, see Dosage and Administration (2.3).

2.2 Recommended Dosage for Hypertension Initial Dose: 1 mg orally once daily at bedtime. Do not exceed the initial dosing regimen to minimize the potential for severe hypotensive effects, including syncope. For administration instructions, see Dosage and Administration (2.3).

Subsequent

Doses: Slowly increase the dose to achieve the desired blood pressure response. The usual recommended dose range is 1 mg to 5 mg orally once daily; however, some patients may benefit from doses as high as 20 mg per day. Doses over 20 mg do not appear to provide further blood pressure effect and doses over 40 mg have not been studied. Blood pressure should be monitored at the end of the dosing interval to ensure control throughout the dosing interval. It may also be helpful to measure blood pressure 2 hours to 3 hours after dosing to see if the maximum and minimum responses are similar, and to evaluate symptoms such as dizziness or palpitations which can result from excessive hypotensive response. If response is substantially diminished at 24 hours, consider increasing the dose or use a twice daily dosing regimen. In clinical trials, except for the initial dose, the dose was given in the morning. If TEZRULY is discontinued for more than a few days, therapy should be restarted using the initial dosing regimen. For administration instructions, see Dosage and Administration (2.3). TEZRULY may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Adjust the dose of TEZRULY and the dose frequency (every 12 hours or 24 hours) based on the patient’s individual blood pressure response.

2.3 Administration Information Take TEZRULY orally with or without food. A calibrated measuring device, such as an oral syringe or oral dosing cup, is recommended to measure and deliver the prescribed dose accurately. A household measuring cup, teaspoon, or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device.

TEZRULY is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to terazosin or any component of TEZRULY. Hypersensitivity to terazosin hydrochloride or any other ingredient in TEZRULY. (4)

REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Syncope and ‘‘First-dose’’ Effect [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]

Orthostatic

Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Priapism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]

Intraoperative Floppy Iris

Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] In treatment of BPH, the most common adverse reactions (≥1% of patients and at a higher incidence than placebo) were asthenia, flu syndrome, postural hypotension, nausea, somnolence, vertigo, dyspnea, nasal congestion/rhinitis, blurred vision/amblyopia and erectile dysfunction. (6.1) In treatment of hypertension, the most common adverse reactions where the incidence on terazosin was ≥ 5%, where the incidence on terazosin was at least 2% and greater than placebo or where the reaction was of particular interest were asthenia, back pain, pain in the extremities, headache, palpitations, postural hypotension, tachycardia, nausea, edema, peripheral edema, weight gain, depression, dizziness, libido, decreased, nervousness, paresthesia, somnolence, dyspnea, nasal congestion, sinusitis, blurred vision, and erectile dysfunction. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-204-1431 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The incidence rates presented below are based on combined data from six placebo-controlled trials involving once-daily administration of terazosin at doses ranging from 1 to 20 mg.

Table

1 summarizes those adverse events reported for patients in these trials when the incidence rate in the terazosin group was at least 1% and was greater than that for the placebo group, or where the reaction is of clinical interest. Asthenia, postural hypotension, dizziness, somnolence, nasal congestion/rhinitis, and impotence were the only events that were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) more common in patients receiving terazosin than in patients receiving placebo. The incidence of urinary tract infection was significantly lower in the patients receiving terazosin than in patients receiving placebo. An analysis of the incidence rate of hypotensive adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.2)] adjusted for the length of drug treatment has shown that the risk of the reactions is greatest during the initial seven days of treatment but continues at all time intervals.

Table

1.

Adverse Reactions Reported During

Placebo-Controlled Studies of Terazosin in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Body System Terazosin (N=636) % Placebo (N=360) % BODY AS A WHOLE †Asthenia 7* 3 Flu Syndrome 2 2 Headache 5 6 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Hypotension 1 1 Palpitations 1 1 Postural Hypotension 4* 1 Syncope 1 0 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Nausea 2 1 METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS Peripheral Edema 1 0 Weight Gain 1 0 NERVOUS SYSTEM Dizziness 9* 4 Somnolence 4 2 Vertigo 1 0 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Dyspnea 2 1 Nasal Congestion/Rhinitis 2* 0 UROGENITAL SYSTEM Erectile Dysfunction 2* 1 Urinary Tract Infection 1 4* † Includes weakness, tiredness, lassitude and fatigue. * p ≤ 0.05, comparison between groups. Additional adverse reactions have been reported, but these are, in general, not distinguishable from symptoms that might have occurred in the absence of exposure to terazosin. The safety profile of patients treated in the long-term open-label study was similar to that observed in the controlled studies. Adverse reactions were usually transient and mild or moderate in intensity, but sometimes were serious enough to interrupt treatment. In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, the rates of premature termination due to adverse reactions were not statistically different between the placebo and terazosin groups. Adverse reactions that were bothersome, reported as the reason for discontinuation of therapy by at least 0.5% of the terazosin group and reported more often than in the placebo group are shown in Table 2.

Table

2.

Discontinuation Rates During

Placebo-Controlled Studies of Terazosin in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Body System Terazosin (N=636) % Placebo (N=360) % BODY AS A WHOLE Fever 0.5% 0.0% Headache 1.1% 0.8% CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Postural Hypotension 0.5% 0.0% Syncope 0.5% 0.0% DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Nausea 0.5% 0.3% NERVOUS SYSTEM Dizziness 2.0% 1.1% Vertigo 0.5% 0.0% RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Dyspnea 0.5% 0.3% SPECIAL SENSES Blurred Vision/Amblyopia 0.6% 0.0% UROGENITAL SYSTEM Urinary Tract Infection 0.6% 0.0% Hypertension The prevalence rates presented below are based on combined data from fourteen placebo-controlled studies involving once-daily administration of terazosin, as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, at doses ranging from 1 to 40 mg.

Table

3 summarizes those adverse reactions reported for patients in these trials where the prevalence rate in the terazosin group was at least 5%, where the prevalence rate for the terazosin group was at least 2% and was greater than the prevalence rate for the placebo group, or where the reaction is of particular interest. Asthenia, blurred vision, dizziness, nasal congestion, nausea, peripheral edema, palpitations and somnolence were the only symptoms that were significantly (p < 0.05) more common in patients receiving terazosin than in patients receiving placebo. Similar adverse reaction rates were observed in placebo-controlled monotherapy trials.

Table

3.

Adverse Reactions Reported During

Placebo-Controlled Studies of Terazosin in Patients with Hypertension Body System Terazosin (N=859) % Placebo (N=506) % BODY AS A WHOLE †Asthenia 11* 4 Back Pain 2 1 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Palpitations 4* 1 Postural Hypotension 1 0 Tachycardia 2 1 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Nausea 4* 1 METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS Peripheral Edema 6* 2 Weight Gain 1 0 MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM Pain-Extremities 4 3 NERVOUS SYSTEM Dizziness 19* 8 Libido Decreased 1 0 Paresthesia 3 1 Somnolence 5* 3 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Dyspnea 3 2 Nasal Congestion 6* 3 Sinusitis 3 1 SPECIAL SENSES Blurred Vision 2* 0 UROGENITAL SYSTEM Erectile Dysfunction 1 1 † Includes weakness, tiredness, lassitude and fatigue. * Statistically significant at p=0.05 level. The following adverse reactions associated with the use of terazosin were identified in clinical studies (≥1%) or during post-approval use of terazosin. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Body as a Whole: edema, facial edema; Cardiovascular System: chest pain, arrhythmia, vasodilation; Digestive System: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting; Metabolic/Nutritional Disorders: gout; Musculoskeletal System: arthralgia, arthritis, joint disorder, myalgia, neck pain, shoulder pain; Nervous System: anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, depression; Respiratory System: bronchitis, cold symptoms, epistaxis, increased cough, pharyngitis; Skin and Appendages: pruritus, rash, sweating; Special Senses: abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, tinnitus; Urogenital System: urinary frequency, urinary incontinence primarily reported in postmenopausal women; Adverse reactions were usually mild or moderate in intensity but sometimes were serious enough to interrupt treatment. The adverse reactions that were most bothersome, reported as reason for discontinuation therapy by at least 0.5% of the terazosin group and being reported more often than in the placebo group are shown in Table 4.

Table

4.

Discontinuations During

Placebo-Controlled Studies of Terazosin in Patients with Hypertension Body System Terazosin (N=859) % Placebo (N=506) % BODY AS A WHOLE Asthenia 1.6% 0.0% Headache 1.3% 1.0% CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Palpitations 1.4% 0.2% Postural Hypotension 0.5% 0.0% Syncope 0.5% 0.2% Tachycardia 0.6% 0.0% DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Nausea 0.8% 0.0% METABOLIC AND NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS Peripheral Edema 0.6% 0.0% NERVOUS SYSTEM Dizziness 3.1% 0.4% Paresthesia 0.8% 0.2% Somnolence 0.6% 0.2% RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Dyspnea 0.9% 0.6% Nasal Congestion 0.6% 0.0% SPECIAL SENSES Blurred Vision 0.6% 0.0%

6.2 Post-marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of terazosin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Blood and Lymphatic System: thrombocytopenia Cardiovascular System: atrial fibrillation Skin and Appndages: allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis Urogenital System: priapism During cataract surgery, a variant of small pupil syndrome known as intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) has been reported in association with alpha-1 antagonist therapy <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]</span> .

AND PRECAUTIONS Syncope and “First-dose” Effect: Advise patients about the possibility of symptoms related to postural hypotension and to avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur, especially when starting TEZRULY. (5.1)

Orthostatic

Hypotension: Dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations can occur with use of TEZRULY. Advise patients to take their first dose of TEZRULY at bedtime and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks for 12 hours after the first dose, after a dosage increase, and after interruption of therapy when treatment is resumed. (5.2) Risk of Hypotension with Concomitant Use of Other Antihypertensive Agents and Phospodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5-I): Concomitant administration of TEZRULY with antihypertensives or phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors can result in additive blood pressure lowering effects and symptomatic hypotension (5.3). Priapism: Advise patients about the possibility and seriousness of priapism. (5.4)

Intraoperative Floppy Iris

Syndrome: Advise patients considering cataract surgery to tell their ophthalmologist that they have taken terazosin as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome as been observed during cataract surgery in some patients. (5.5)

Prostatic

Cancer: Screen for the presence of prostatic cancer prior to treatment for BPH and at regular intervals afterwards. (5.6)

5.1 Syncope and ‘‘First-dose’’ Effect TEZRULY, like other alpha-1-adrenoceptors antagonists, can cause marked lowering of blood pressure, especially postural hypotension, and syncope in association with the first dose or first few days of therapy <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]</span> . A similar effect can be anticipated if therapy is interrupted for several days and then restarted. Syncope has also been reported with other alpha-1-adrenoceptors antagonists in association with rapid dosage increases or the introduction of another antihypertensive drug. Syncope is believed to be due to an excessive postural hypotensive effect, although occasionally the syncopal episode has been preceded by a bout of severe supraventricular tachycardia with heart rates of 120-160 beats per minute. Additionally, the possibility of the contribution of hemodilution to the symptoms of postural hypotension should be considered. To decrease the likelihood of syncope or excessive hypotension, initiate treatment with a 1 mg dose of terazosin, given at bedtime. Higher doses (e.g., 2 to 10 mg) are not indicated as initial therapy. Then slowly increase the dose <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration (2.1 and 2.2)]</span> , and add additional antihypertensive agents with caution. Advise patients to avoid situations, such as driving or hazardous tasks, where injury could result should syncope occur during initiation of therapy. In early investigational studies, where increasing single doses up to 7.5 mg were given at 3-day intervals, tolerance to the first dose phenomenon did not necessarily develop and the ‘‘first-dose” effect could be observed at all doses. Syncopal episodes occurred in 3 of the 14 subjects given terazosin at doses of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg, which are higher than the recommended initial dose; in addition, severe orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure falling to 50/0 mmHg) was seen in two others and dizziness, tachycardia, and lightheadedness occurred in most subjects. These adverse effects all occurred within 90 minutes of dosing. In three placebo-controlled BPH studies 1, 2, and 3 <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (1 2 )]</span> , the incidence of postural hypotension in the terazosin treated patients was 5.1%, 5.2%, and 3.7% respectively. In multiple dose clinical trials involving nearly 2000 hypertensive patients treated with terazosin, syncope was reported in about 1% of patients. Syncope was not necessarily associated only with the first dose. If syncope occurs, place the patient in a recumbent position and treat supportively as necessary. There is evidence that the orthostatic effect of terazosin is greater, even in chronic use, shortly after dosing. The risk of the events is greatest during the initial seven days of treatment but continues at all time intervals.

5.2 Orthostatic Hypotension While syncope is the most severe orthostatic effect of terazosin, other symptoms of lowered blood pressure <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]</span> , such as dizziness, lightheadedness and palpitations were more common and occurred in some 28% of patients in clinical trials of hypertension. In BPH clinical trials, 21% of the patients experienced one or more of the following: dizziness, hypotension, postural hypotension, syncope, and vertigo. Patients with occupations in which such events represent potential problems should be treated with particular caution. Advise patients to take their first dose of TEZRULY at bedtime and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks for 12 hours after the first dose, after a dosage increase, and after interruption of therapy when treatment is resumed.

5.3 Risk of Hypotension with Concomitant Use of Other Antihypertensive Agents and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors (PDE5-I) Concomitant use of TEZRULY with other anti-hypertensive agents, especially the calcium channel blocker verapamil, can increase the risk of hypotension. To reduce the risk of hypotension, dosage reduction and re-titration of either agent may be necessary <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 and 5.2)]</span> . Hypotension has been reported when terazosin has been used with phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Therefore, PDE-5 inhibitor therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose in patients taking TEZRULY.

5.4 Priapism Rarely (probably less than once in every several thousand patients) terazosin and other alpha-1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist have been associated with priapism (painful penile erection, sustained for hours and unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation). Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not promptly treated, advise patients about the seriousness of the condition and the need to seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room.

5.5 Prostatic Cancer Carcinoma of the prostate and BPH present with many of the same symptoms and frequently co-exist. Therefore, examine patients thought to have BPH prior to starting TEZRULY therapy to rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate.

5.6 Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on/or previously treated with alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonists. This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient’s ophthalmologist should be prepared for possible implementation of intraoperative preventive measures and modifications to surgical techniques during phacoemulsification surgery to reduce overall complication rates. There does not appear to be a benefit of stopping alpha-1-adrenoceptor antagonists therapy prior to cataract surgery.

5.7 Laboratory Tests Small but statistically significant decreases in hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, total protein and albumin were observed in controlled clinical trials. These laboratory findings suggested the possibility of hemodilution. Treatment with terazosin for up to 24 months had no significant effect on prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

PRECAUTIONS General Prostatic Cancer Carcinoma of the prostate and BPH cause many of the same symptoms. These two diseases frequently co-exist. Therefore, patients thought to have BPH should be examined prior to starting terazosin capsule therapy to rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate.

Intraoperative Floppy Iris

Syndrome (IFIS)

Intraoperative Floppy Iris

Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on/or previously treated with alpha-1 blockers. This variant of small pupil syndrome is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs, and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient’s ophthalmologist should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances. There does not appear to be a benefit of stopping alpha-1 blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery.

Orthostatic Hypotension

While syncope is the most severe orthostatic effect of terazosin capsules (see WARNINGS ), other symptoms of lowered blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness and palpitations, were more common and occurred in some 28% of patients in clinical trials of hypertension. In BPH clinical trials, 21% of the patients experienced one or more of the following: dizziness, hypotension, postural hypotension, syncope, and vertigo. Patients with occupations in which such events represent potential problems should be treated with particular caution. Information for Patients (See PATIENT INFORMATION .) Patients should be made aware of the possibility of syncopal and orthostatic symptoms, especially at the initiation of therapy, and to avoid driving or hazardous tasks for 12 hours after the first dose, after a dosage increase, and after interruption of therapy when treatment is resumed. They should be cautioned to avoid situations where injury could result should syncope occur during initiation of terazosin capsule therapy. They should also be advised of the need to sit or lie down when symptoms of lowered blood pressure occur, although these symptoms are not always orthostatic, and to be careful when rising from a sitting or lying position. If dizziness, lightheadedness, or palpitations are bothersome they should be reported to the physician, so that dose adjustment can be considered. Patients should also be told that drowsiness or somnolence can occur with terazosin capsules, requiring caution in people who must drive or operate heavy machinery. Patients should be advised about the possibility of priapism as a result of treatment with terazosin capsules and other similar medications. Patients should know that this reaction to terazosin capsules is extremely rare, but that if it is not brought to immediate medical attention, it can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Laboratory Tests

Small but statistically significant decreases in hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, total protein and albumin were observed in controlled clinical trials. These laboratory findings suggested the possibility of hemodilution. Treatment with terazosin capsules for up to 24 months had no significant effect on prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

Drug

Interactions In controlled trials, terazosin capsules have been added to diuretics, and several beta-adrenergic blockers; no unexpected interactions were observed. Terazosin capsules have also been used in patients on a variety of concomitant therapies; while these were not formal interaction studies, no interactions were observed. Terazosin capsules have 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 agents (e.g., antacids); hypoglycemics sedatives and tranquilizers (e.g., diazepam).

Use With Other

Drugs In a study (n=24) where terazosin and verapamil were administered concomitantly, terazosin’s mean AUC 0-24 increased 11% after the first verapamil dose and after 3 weeks of verapamil treatment it increased by 24% with associated increases in C max (25%) and C min (32%) means. Terazosin mean T max decreased from 1.3 hours to 0.8 hours after 3 weeks of verapamil treatment. Statistically significant differences were not found in the verapamil level with and without terazosin. In a study (n=6) where terazosin and captopril were administered concomitantly, plasma disposition of captopril was not influenced by concomitant administration of terazosin and terazosin maximum plasma concentrations increased linearly with dose at steady-state after administration of terazosin plus captopril (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Terazosin capsules were devoid of mutagenic potential when evaluated in vivo and in vitro (the Ames test, in vivo cytogenetics, the dominant lethal test in mice, in vivo Chinese hamster chromosome aberration test and V79 forward mutation assay). Terazosin capsules, administered in the feed to rats at doses of 8, 40, and 250 mg/kg/day (70, 350, and 2100 mg/M 2 /day), for two years, was associated with a statistically significant increase in benign adrenal medullary tumors of male rats exposed to the 250 mg/kg dose. This dose is 175 times the maximum recommended human dose of 20 mg (12 mg/M 2 ). Female rats were unaffected. Terazosin capsules were not oncogenic in mice when administered in feed for 2 years at a maximum tolerated dose of 32 mg/kg/day (110 mg/M 2 ; 9 times the maximum recommended human dose). The absence of mutagenicity in a battery of tests, of tumorigenicity of any cell type in the mouse carcinogenicity assay, of increased total tumor incidence in either species, and of proliferative adrenal lesions in female rats, suggests a male rat species-specific event. Numerous other diverse pharmaceutical and chemical compounds have also been associated with benign adrenal medullary tumors in male rats without supporting evidence for carcinogenicity in man. The effect of terazosin capsules on fertility was assessed in a standard fertility/reproductive performance study in which male and female rats were administered oral doses of 8, 30 and 120 mg/kg/day. Four of 20 male rats given 30 mg/kg (240 mg/M 2 ; 20 times the maximum recommended human dose) and five of 19 male rats given 120 mg/kg (960 mg/M 2 ; 80 times the maximum recommended human dose) failed to sire a litter. Testicular weights and morphology were unaffected by treatment. Vaginal smears at 30 and 120 mg/kg/day, however, appeared to contain less sperm than smears from control matings and good correlation was reported between sperm count and subsequent pregnancy. Oral administration of terazosin capsules for one or two years elicited a statistically significant increase in the incidence of testicular atrophy in rats exposed to 40 and 250 mg/kg/day (29 and 175 times the maximum recommended human dose), but not in rats exposed to 8 mg/kg/day (> 6 times the maximum recommended human dose). Testicular atrophy was also observed in dogs dosed with 300 mg/kg/day (> 500 times the maximum recommended human dose) for three months but not after one year when dosed with 20 mg/kg/day (38 times the maximum recommended human dose). This lesion has also been seen with prazosin hydrochloride, another (marketed) selective-alpha-1 blocking agent.

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy

Category C Terazosin capsules were not teratogenic in either rats or rabbits when administered at oral doses up to 280 and 60 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose. Fetal resorptions occurred in rats dosed with 480 mg/kg/day, approximately 280 times the maximum recommended human dose. Increased fetal resorptions, decreased fetal weight and an increased number of supernumerary ribs were observed in offspring of rabbits dosed with 60 times the maximum recommended human dose. These findings (in both species) were most likely secondary to maternal toxicity. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women and the safety of terazosin in pregnancy has not been established. Terazosin capsules are not recommended during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the mother and fetus.

Nonteratogenic

Effects In a peri- and post-natal development study in rats, significantly more pups died in the group dosed with 120 mg/kg/day (> 75 times the maximum recommended human dose) than in the control group during the three-week postpartum period.

Nursing

Mothers It is not known whether terazosin is excreted in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in breast milk, caution should be exercised when terazosin capsules are administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been determined.

Drug Interactions In controlled trials, terazosin has been added to diuretics, and several beta-adrenergic blockers; no unexpected interactions were observed. Terazosin has also been used in patients on a variety of concomitant therapies; while these were not formal interaction studies, no interactions were observed. Terazosin has been used concomitantly in at least 50 patients on the following drugs or drug classes: 1) analgesic/anti-inflammatory (e.g., acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, ibuprofen, indomethacin). 2) antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole). 3) anticholinergic/sympathomimetics (e.g., phenylephrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride). 4) antigout (e.g., allopurinol). 5) antihistamines (e.g., chlorpheniramine). 6) cardiovascular agents (e.g., atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, methyclothiazide, propranolol). 7) corticosteroids. 8) gastrointestinal agents (e.g., antacids). 9) hypoglycemics. 10) sedatives and tranquilizers (e.g., diazepam). Use with Other Drugs In a study (n = 24) where terazosin and verapamil were administered concomitantly, terazosin's mean AUC 0-24 increased 11% after the first verapamil dose and after 3 weeks of verapamil treatment it increased by 24% with associated increases in C max (25%) and C min (32%) means. Terazosin mean T max decreased from 1.3 hours to 0.8 hours after 3 weeks of verapamil treatment. Statistically significant differences were not found in the verapamil level with and without terazosin. In a study (n = 6) where terazosin and captopril were administered concomitantly, plasma disposition of captopril was not influenced by concomitant administration of terazosin and terazosin maximum plasma concentrations increased linearly with dose at steady-state after administration of terazosin plus captopril (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Terazosin was devoid of mutagenic potential when evaluated in vivo and in vitro (the Ames test, in vivo cytogenetics, the dominant lethal test in mice, in vivo Chinese hamster chromosome aberration test and V79 forward mutation assay). Terazosin, administered in the feed to rats at doses of 8 mg/kg/day, 40 mg/kg/day, and 250 mg/kg/day (70 mg/m 2 /day, 350 mg/m 2 /day, and 2,100 mg/m 2 /day), for two years, was associated with a statistically significant increase in benign adrenal medullary tumors of male rats exposed to the 250 mg/kg dose. This dose is 175 times the maximum recommended human dose of 20 mg (12 mg/m 2 ). Female rats were unaffected. Terazosin was not oncogenic in mice when administered in feed for 2 years at a maximum tolerated dose of 32 mg/kg/day (110 mg/m 2 ; 9 times the maximum recommended human dose). The absence of mutagenicity in a battery of tests, of tumorigenicity of any cell type in the mouse carcinogenicity assay, of increased total tumor incidence in either species, and of proliferative adrenal lesions in female rats, suggests a male rat species-specific event. Numerous other diverse pharmaceutical and chemical compounds have also been associated with benign adrenal medullary tumors in male rats without supporting evidence for carcinogenicity in man. The effect of terazosin on fertility was assessed in a standard fertility/reproductive performance study in which male and female rats were administered oral doses of 8 mg/kg/day, 30 mg/kg/day and 120 mg/kg/day. Four of 20 male rats given 30 mg/kg (240 mg/m 2 ; 20 times the maximum recommended human dose) and five of 19 male rats given 120 mg/kg (960 mg/m 2 ; 80 times the maximum recommended human dose) failed to sire a litter. Testicular weights and morphology were unaffected by treatment. Vaginal smears at 30 mg/kg/day and 120 mg/kg/day, however, appeared to contain less sperm than smears from control matings and good correlation was reported between sperm count and subsequent pregnancy. Oral administration of terazosin for one or two years elicited a statistically significant increase in the incidence of testicular atrophy in rats exposed to 40 mg/kg/day and 250 mg/kg/day (29 times and 175 times the maximum recommended human dose), but not in rats exposed to 8 mg/kg/day (> 6 times the maximum recommended human dose). Testicular atrophy was also observed in dogs dosed with 300 mg/kg/day (> 500 times the maximum recommended human dose) for three months but not after one year when dosed with 20 mg/kg/day (38 times the maximum recommended human dose). This lesion has also been seen with prazosin hydrochloride, another (marketed) selective-alpha-1 blocking agent.