To      : Andrea Herron
Re      : Hytrin(terazosin)

        Terazosin is an antihypertensive that belongs the the alpha-1
blocking family. This family is generally very powerful, produces a lot of
orthostatic hypotension, and other side effects.   As such, for the past 20
years, these drugs have always been used as the STEP II drugs used in
hypertension,  whereas the beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel
blockers, and thiazide diuretics have alway been used first(STEP I).   If
the STEP I drugs don't work,  then the physician employs a STEP II drug.

        In general,  I believe physicians should use the safer Step I drugs
before going on to Terazosin( most cardiologists would agree).  In
addition, terazosin has rather powerful effects on the prostate and
testes(testicular atrophy) of animals, particularly newborn,  and I
certainly wouldn't prefer this antihypertensive in a pregnant woman, or
lactating woman.  So the most obvious question to ask is,  Has the
physician used the other STEP I drugs and found them ineffective in this
patient?  If not,  then perhaps a nice beta blocker or CCB would work just
as well, with fewer side effects on the infant.

Tom Hale