Tezruly Prescribing Information

1.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

TEZRULY is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult males [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

1.2 Hypertension

TEZRULY is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. 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.

2.1 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.

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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. 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 [see Dosage and Administration (2.1 and 2.2)], 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 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12)], 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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], 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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 and 5.2)]. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

The limited available data on terazosin use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

In animal reproduction studies, no adverse developmental effects were observed when terazosin was orally administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses of up to 230 and 60 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis. In the rat and rabbit oral doses at 230 and 60 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis, reduced fetal survival was observed [see Data].

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Studies in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 230 and 60 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area (mg/m2) basis, have revealed no evidence of adverse developmental effects. In rats, fetal resorptions were observed at 480 mg/kg/day, approximately 230 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis. In rabbits,. increased fetal resorptions, decreased fetal weight and an increased number of supernumerary ribs were observed at 60 mg/kg/day, 60 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis. These findings (in both species) were most likely secondary to maternal toxicity.

In a peri- and post-natal development study in rats, significantly more pups died at 120 mg/kg/day (60 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis) than in the control group during the three-week postpartum period.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no available data on the presence of terazosin in human milk, effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Infertility

Males

Possible effects on male fertility could be observed based on findings in rats at exposures that were at least 15 times higher than at the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis. The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown [see Nonclincal Toxicology (13.1)].

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of terazosin have not been established in pediatric patients.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are related to bladder outlet obstruction, which is comprised of two underlying components: static and dynamic. The static component is related to an increase in prostate size caused, in part by a proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the prostatic stroma. However, the severity of BPH symptoms and the degree of urethral obstruction do not correlate well with the size of the prostate. The dynamic component is a function of an increase in smooth muscle tone in the prostate and bladder neck. The degree of tone in this area is mediated by the alpha-1-adrenoceptors, which is reent in high density in the prostate stroma, prostatic capsule, prostatic urethra, and bladder neck. Blockade of the alpha-1 receptor decreases urethral resistance and may relieve the obstruction of BPH symptoms and improve urine flow

Hypertension

The mechanism of action of terazosin is selective blockade of the alpha-1 subtype of adrenergic receptors. The antihypertensive effect of terazosin results from a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. In animals, terazosin causes a decrease in blood pressure by decreasing total peripheral vascular resistance. The vasodilatory hypotensive action of terazosin appears to be produced mainly by antagonism of alpha-1 adrenoceptors. Terazosin decreases blood pressure within 15 minutes following oral administration.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Administration of terazosin 10 mg to patients with BPH resulted in significant improvement in both symptoms and peak urinary flow rate compared to placebo [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

Terazosin administration to normotensive men with BPH did not result in a clinically significant blood pressure lowering effect [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].

Hypertension

Terazosin’s antihypertensive effects usually persist throughout the dosing interval (usually 24 hours), with the supine systolic and diastolic responses 5 to 10 mmHg and 3.5 to 8 mmHg greater, respectively than placebo.

Limited data show that the peak blood pressure response measured 2 to 3 hours post-dose is greater than about twice the trough (24 hour) response during chronic administration [see Clinical Studies (14.2)].

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following a single oral dose administration of TEZRULY in healthy subjects under fasted conditions, the median (range) time to reach peak plasma terazosin levels was 0.67 (0.50 - 1.75) hours. Mean (standard deviation) terazosin Cmax and AUC0-∞ were 27.09 (7.85) ng/mL and 285.62 (74.77) h*ng/mL, respectively.

Effect of Food

No clinically significant differences in TERZULY pharmacokinetics were observed following administration of a high-fat, high calorie meal [995.5 Kcalories; 38.31 g protein, 80.75 g carbohydrate, and 57.7 g fat].

Distribution

Terazosin is 90 to 94% bound to plasma proteins and binding is constant over the clinically observed concentration range.

Elimination

Terazosin has a half-life of approximately 13 hours.

Metabolism

Terazosin has been shown to undergo minimal hepatic first-pass metabolism and nearly all of the circulating dose is in the form of parent drug.

Elimination

Approximately 10% of an orally administered dose is excreted as parent drug in the urine and approximately 20% is excreted in the feces. The remainder is eliminated as metabolites. Overall, approximately 40% of the administered dose is excreted in the urine and approximately 60% in the feces.

Specific Populations

Geriatric Patients

In a study that evaluated the effect of age on terazosin pharmacokinetics, the mean plasma half-lives were 14.0 and 11.4 hours for the age group ≥ 70 years and the age group of 20-39 years, respectively. After oral administration, the plasma clearance decreased by 31.7% in patients ≥ 70 years of age compared to patients 20-39 years of age.

Patients with Renal Impairment

Impaired renal function had no significant effect on the elimination of terazosin. Dosage adjustment to compensate for the drug removal during hemodialysis (approximately 10%) does not appear to be necessary.

Drug Interactions

In a study (n=24) where terazosin and verapamil were co-administered, terazosin’s mean AUC0-24 increased 11% after the first verapamil dose. After 3 weeks of verapamil treatment, terazosin’s mean AUC0-24 increased by 24% with associated increases in Cmax (25%) and Cmin (32%) means and decrease in mean Tmax from 1.3 hours to 0.8 hours. 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.

13.1 Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis & Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

Terazosin, administered in the feed to rats at doses of 8, 40, and 250 mg/kg/day (48, 240, and 1500 mg/m2/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 120 times the maximum recommended human dose of 20 mg (12 mg/m2) on a body surface area basis. 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 (96 mg/m2/day; 8 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis). 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.

Mutagenesis

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).

Impairment of Fertility

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, 30 and 120 mg/kg/day. Four of 20 male rats given 30 mg/kg (180 mg/m2; 15 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis) and five of 19 male rats given 120 mg/kg (720 mg/m2; 60 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis) failed to sire a litter. Testicular weights and morphology were unaffected by treatment. However, vaginal smears at 30 and 120 mg/kg/day appeared to contain less sperm than smears from control matings and good correlation was reported between sperm count and subsequent pregnancy.

13.2 Animal Pharmacology & OR Toxicology

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 and 250 mg/kg/day (20 and 120 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis), but not in rats exposed to 8 mg/kg/day (4 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis). Testicular atrophy was also observed in dogs dosed with 300 mg/kg/day (> 490 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis) for three months but not after one year when dosed with 20 mg/kg/day (30 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis). This finding has also been seen with prazosin, another alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist.

The disposition of terazosin in animals is qualitatively similar to that in man. In animals, terazosin causes a decrease in blood pressure by decreasing total peripheral vascular resistance. The vasodilatory hypotensive action of terazosin appears to be produced mainly by antagonism of alpha-1-adrenoceptors.

14.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Terazosin has been studied in 1222 men with symptomatic BPH. In three placebo-controlled studies, symptom evaluation and uroflowmetric measurements were performed approximately 24 hours following dosing. Symptoms were quantified using the Boyarsky Index which evaluated both obstructive (hesitancy, intermittency, terminal dribbling, impairment of size and force of stream, sensation of incomplete bladder emptying) and irritative (nocturia, daytime frequency, urgency, dysuria) symptoms by rating each of the 9 symptoms from 0-3, for a total score of 27 points. Results from these studies indicated that terazosin statistically significantly improved symptoms and peak urine flow rates over placebo (Table 6).

a Highest dose 10 mg shown.

b 23% of patients on 10 mg, 41% of patients on 20 mg.

c 67% of patients on 10 mg.

* Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) more improvement than placebo.

In all three studies, both symptom scores and peak urine flow rates showed statistically significant improvement from baseline in patients treated with terazosin from week 2 (or the first clinic visit) and throughout the study duration.

Analysis of the effect of terazosin on individual urinary symptoms demonstrated that terazosin significantly improved the symptoms of hesitancy, intermittency, impairment in size and force of urinary stream, sensation of incomplete emptying, terminal dribbling, daytime frequency and nocturia, compared to placebo.

Global assessments of overall urinary function and symptoms were also performed by investigators who were blinded to patient treatment assignment. In Studies 1 and 3, patients treated with terazosin had a significantly (p ≤ 0.001) greater overall improvement compared to placebo treated patients.

In a short-term study (Study 1), patients were randomized to either 2, 5 or 10 mg of terazosin or placebo. Patients randomized to the 10 mg group achieved a statistically significant response in both symptoms and peak flow rate compared to placebo (Figure 1).

In a long-term, open-label, non-placebo controlled clinical trial, 181 men were followed for 2 years and 58 of these men were followed for 30 months. The effect of terazosin on urinary symptom scores and peak flow rates was maintained throughout the study duration (Figures 2 and 3):

Figure 2

Mean Change in Total Symptom Score from Baseline

Long-Term, Open-Label, Non-Placebo Controlled Study (N=494)

*p ≤ 0.05 vs. baseline; mean baseline = 10.7

Figure 3

Mean Change in Peak Flow Rate from Baseline

Long-Term, Open-Label, Non-Placebo Controlled Study (N=494)

* p ≤ 0.05 vs. baseline; mean baseline = 9.9

In this long-term trial, both symptom scores and peak urinary flow rates showed statistically significant improvement suggesting a relaxation of smooth muscle cells.

Although antagonism of alpha-1-adrenoceptors also lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients with increased peripheral vascular resistance, terazosin treatment of normotensive men with BPH did not result in a clinically significant blood pressure lowering effect (Table 6).

14.2 Hypertension

Patients in clinical trials of terazosin were administered once daily (the great majority) and twice daily regimens with total doses usually in the range of 5 to 20 mg/day, and had mild (about 77%, diastolic pressure 95 to 105 mmHg) or moderate (23%, diastolic pressure 105 to 115 mmHg) hypertension. Because terazosin, like all alpha-1 adrenergic antagonists can cause unusually large falls in blood pressure after the first dose or first few doses, the initial dose was 1 mg in virtually all trials, with subsequent titration to a specified fixed dose or titration to some specified blood pressure end point (usually a supine diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg).

Blood pressure responses were measured at the end of the dosing interval (usually 24 hours) and effects were shown to persist throughout the interval, with the usual supine responses 5 to 10 mmHg systolic and 3.5 to 8 mmHg diastolic greater than placebo. The responses in the standing position tended to be somewhat larger, by 1 to 3 mmHg, although this was not true in all studies. The magnitude of the blood pressure responses was similar to prazosin and less than hydrochlorothiazide (in a single study of hypertensive patients). In measurements 24 hours after dosing, heart rate was unchanged.

Limited measurements of peak response (2-3 hours after dosing) during chronic terazosin administration indicate that it is greater than about twice the trough (24 hour) response, suggesting some attenuation of response at 24 hours, presumably due to a fall in blood terazosin concentrations at the end of the dose interval. This explanation is not established with certainty, however, and is not consistent with the similarity of blood pressure response to once daily and twice daily dosing and with the absence of an observed dose-response relationship over a range of 5-20 mg, i.e., if blood concentrations had fallen to the point of providing less than full effect at 24 hours, a shorter dosing interval or larger dose should have led to increased response.

Blood pressure should be measured at the end of the dose interval; if response is not satisfactory, patients may be tried on a larger dose or twice daily dosing regimen. The latter should also be considered if blood pressure-related side effects, such as dizziness, palpitations, or orthostatic complaints are seen within a few hours after dosing.

The greater blood pressure effect associated with peak plasma concentrations (first few hours after dosing) appears somewhat more position-dependent (greater in the erect position) than the effect of terazosin at 24 hours and in the erect position there is also a 6-10 beat per minute increase in heart rate in the first few hours after dosing.

During the first 3 hours after dosing, 12.5% of patients had a systolic pressure fall of 30 mmHg or more from supine to standing, or standing systolic pressure below 90 mmHg with a fall of at least 20 mmHg, compared to 4% of a placebo group.

There was a tendency for patients to gain weight during terazosin therapy. In placebo-controlled monotherapy trials, male and female patients receiving terazosin gained a mean of 1.7 and 2.2 pounds respectively, compared to losses of 0.2 and 1.2 pounds respectively in the placebo group. Both differences were statistically significant.

During controlled clinical trials, patients receiving terazosin monotherapy had a small but statistically significant decrease (a 3% fall) compared to placebo in total cholesterol and the combined low-density and very-low-density lipoprotein fractions. No significant changes were observed in high-density lipoprotein fraction and triglycerides compared to placebo.

Analysis of clinical laboratory data following administration of terazosin suggested the possibility of hemodilution based on decreases in hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, total protein and albumin. Decreases in hematocrit and total protein have been observed with alpha-1-adrenoceptors antagonism and are attributed to hemodilution.