What is in
your medicine?

The tablets are round and come in four strengths:
500 microgram (0.5mg) white tablets marked “Pfizer" on one side.
1 mg scored orange tablets marked HYP/1 on one side.
2mg scored white tablets marked HYP/2 on one side and "Pfizer" on the other.
5mg scored white tablets marked HYP/5 on one side and “Pfizer" on the other.
Each tablet contains prazosin hydrochloride.
The inactive Ingredients in each tablet are: avicel PH 101 (microcrystalline cellulose), calcium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, magnesium stearate, maize starch, sodium lauryl sulphate and sunset yellow (E 110) (1 mg tablet only).
The tablets are available in a starter pack containing 8 x 500 microgram and 32 x 1 mg tablets carefully packed in sequence to ensure correct usage. The pack contains 2 weeks treatment from the starting dose of 500 micrograms to 2mg twice daily. Further details about the dose of Hypovase is found below.

The tablets also come in packs of 56 tablets.

Product Licence Holder
and Manufacturer
Pfizer Limited Sandwich, Kent CT13 9NJ

What type
of medicine
is Hypovase?
Your treatment is one of a group of medicines called alpha-blockers. It Is usually used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat heart failure, painful cold fingers (Raynaud’s Disease) or mild enlargement of the prostate gland (prostatic hyperplasia) in men.

What is your
medicine for?

In patients taking Hypovase to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) the treatment works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily.
In patients taking the tablets to treat heart failure the treatment works by relaxing the main blood vessels of the heart, allowing the heart to pump blood more easily.
The treatment is usually used in heart failure when other drugs are either inadequate. or have failed to work.	In patients with Raynaud’s Disease the treatment relaxes blood vessels in the hands, so blood can reach fingers more easily. This helps to prevent coldness and stiffness.
In patents with enlargement of the prostate gland the treatment is taken to treat poor and/or frequent passing of urine. This is common in patients with enlargement of the prostate gland. The treatment works by relaxing muscle around the bladder and prostate gland so urine is passed more easily.
If you are unsure why you have been prescribed Hypovase ask your doctor or pharmacist

Before you take
your medicine
•	Have you had an allergic reaction to Hypovase in the past? This may have been itching reddening of the skin or difficulty in breathing.
•	Are you aged under 16 years of age?
•	Do you have heart failure because of another heart condition e g. heart valve disease or a recent heart attack)
If the answer to any of these questions is YES; tell your doctor immediately as this treatment may not be suitable for you.
•	If you have ever fainted after passing urine tell your doctor before you start the treatment
•	If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant tell your doctor before you start the treatment.
•	If you are breast feeding tell your doctor before you start the treatment.
•	If you are taking other medicines tell your doctor before you start the treatment.
•	If you have liver or kidney disease tell your doctor before you start the treatment.

Things to take
care about
•	Some patients are aware of feeling lightheaded or weak when starting to take Hypovase. This can happen when standing up and very occasionally this will cause a patient to hint. This very occasionally happens only when starting to take the tablets and does not usually happen again.
•	Most people do not feel light-headed You can help to prevent feeling lightheaded by rising slowly from a sitting or tying position.
•	If the treatment makes you feel light-headed or weak lie down until you feel better. Get up slowly when you feel better. If you are concerned tell your doctor.	

MORE INFORMATION ON HYPOVASE
•	Take care if you drive or operate machinery. The treatment may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
•	If you do not have hypertension your doctor may still wish to check your blood pressure occasionally while you are taking the tablets.
•	If you have heart failure, the treatment can gradually become less helpful over several months. If this happens you may notice swelling of your legs or ankles. This is due to retention of fluid and is called 'oedema'. Some weight gain may also happen. If you develop oedema or weight gain tell your doctor as your doctor may need to change the dose of Hypovase or other medicines you are taking.

How to take
your medicine

•	The usual dose of Hypovase is one tablet taken by mouth two or three times a day.
•	If you are taking the tablets for the first time the normal dose is one 500 microgram tablet in the evening. Then. one 500 microgram tablet is taken two or three times a day for 3 to 7 days.
•	The dose is then increased to 1 mg (two or three times daily) and then to 2mg (two or three times daily). The dose may not need to be increased any more.
•	In patients with Raynaud’s Disease or an enlarged prostate dosage should not be more than 2mg twice daily.
•	In patients with raised blood pressure or with heart failure the dose may be increased from 2mg (two or three times daily). a little each time, at intervals of 5 to 7 days. The maximum total daily dose is 20mg daily.
•	Take your tablets as your doctor told you and as written on the label on the pack.
•	If you are unsure about your dose. ask your doctor or pharmacist.
•	It is important to keep taking your tablets. they may help you to remain well.
•	Do not change the dose or stop taking the tablets without first checking with your doctor.
•	Do not wait until your tablets are finished before seeing your doctor.

What if you take
too many tablets?
Too many tablets at once may make you unwell. If several tablets are taken it may be dangerous. Tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest hospital casualty department.

What if you
miss a tablet?
Do not worry. If you forget to take a tablet leave that dose out completely. Then go on as before.

Does your
medicine cause
undesirable effects?
Hypovase like most medicines may cause undesirable effects. Problems the treatment may cause are:-
•	faintness
•	dizziness, particularly on standing-up	•	headache
•	drowsiness
•	weakness
•	rapid heart beat
•	feeling of sickness (nausea)
•	lack of energy
These undesirable effects are usually mild and tend to wear off as treatment goes on. Tell your doctor if these effects cause you any problems or last for more than one week.
Advice about the care you should be taking if you feel faint or weak is written earlier in this leaflet (overleaf).
Other undesirable effects have happened to patients taking Hypovase. It is not known if these undesirable effects are due to the treatment. Several are very uncommon indeed. These undesirable effects are:-
abdominal discomfort and/or pain abnormal blood tests that check for liver function. alopecia (hair loss) arthralgia (painful joints) blurred vision constipation depression. diarrhoea dry mouth fever hallucinations (imagining things) impotence (failure to achieve an erection) lichen planus (severe skin reaction) nasal stuffiness nervousness nose bleeds oedema (swelling- usually of the ankles) paraesthesia (tingling sensation or numbness) positive ANA (a blood test that checks immunological function) priapism (painful persistent erection of the penis) pruritus (itching skin rash sweating temporary loss of consciousness tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ear) urinary frequency urinary incontinence vertigo (dizziness on standing up) vomiting (sickness) worsening of narcolepsy (a tendency to drop off to sleep).
If you suffer from any other undesirable effects. these should be reported to your pharmacist or doctor.

Look after
your medicine
This treatment is for YOU. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them

Do not take this medicine after the date stamped on the pack.

Where to keep
your medicine
•	Keep your medicine in a cool dry place. below 30 C.
•	Keep all medicines out of the reach of children

Further information
This leaflet does not contain all the information about this medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything ask your doctor or pharmacist
The information in this leaflet is about
Hypovase only.

Date Hypovase leaflet United Kingdom
last revised December 1994
© Pfizer Limited 1995