Pronunciation: tam-SOO-loe-sin
Generic Name: Tamsulosin
Brand Name: Flomax
Tamsulosin is used for:
Treating enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder, which helps to improve urine flow and reduce symptoms of BPH.
Do NOT use Tamsulosin if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Tamsulosin
- you are taking another alpha-blocker (eg, prazosin), certain azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), certain macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), nefazodone, or telithromycin
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Tamsulosin:
Some medical conditions may interact with Tamsulosin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
- if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to any sulfonamide (sulfa) medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide
- if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, high or low blood pressure, or prostate cancer
- if you will be having a certain type of eye surgery (cataract surgery)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tamsulosin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin) or phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) because symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, severe dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting) may occur
- Azole antifungals (eg, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine), telithromycin, or terbinafine because they may increase the risk of Tamsulosin's side effects
- Warfarin because the risk of side effects may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tamsulosin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Tamsulosin:
Use Tamsulosin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Tamsulosin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Tamsulosin by mouth 30 minutes after eating the same meal each day.
- Swallow Tamsulosin whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open capsules before swallowing.
- If you miss a dose of Tamsulosin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss taking Tamsulosin for several days, contact your doctor for instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tamsulosin.
Important safety information:
- Tamsulosin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tamsulosin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Tamsulosin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- It may take up to 2 to 4 weeks for Tamsulosin to work fully. Do not stop using Tamsulosin or change your dose of Tamsulosin without checking with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tamsulosin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery (especially cataract surgery).
- Tamsulosin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
- You will need to have regular check-ups with your doctor while you are using Tamsulosin. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Tamsulosin can cause harm to the fetus. It is not known if Tamsulosin is found in breast milk. Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women.
Possible side effects of Tamsulosin:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; cough; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; light-headedness; runny or stuffy nose; sinus inflammation; trouble sleeping; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision; chest pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; prolonged, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe of persistent dizziness or light-headedness; shortness of breath.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Tamsulosin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; irregular heartbeat; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness.
Proper storage of Tamsulosin:
Store Tamsulosin at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tamsulosin out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Tamsulosin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Tamsulosin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Tamsulosin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Tamsulosin resources
- Tamsulosin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Tamsulosin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Tamsulosin Drug Interactions
- Tamsulosin Support Group
- 65 Reviews for Tamsulosin - Add your own review/rating
- Tamsulosin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- tamsulosin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Flomax Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Flomax Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Flomax Consumer Overview
Compare Tamsulosin with other medications
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Overactive Bladder
- Urinary Tract Stones
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