Flomax (Tamsulosin) | Mens Health

Flomax (Tamsulosin)

Flomax (Tamsulosin) is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Flomax (Tamsulosin) relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.Flomax (Tamsulosin) is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Information about Flomax (Tamsulosin)

Flomax (Tamsulosin) can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You may feel dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Avoid standing up too quickly to keep from falling. Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase dizziness caused by Flomax (Tamsulosin). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. You may also be allergic to Flomax (Tamsulosin).Flomax (Tamsulosin) can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with Flomax (Tamsulosin), tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using Flomax (Tamsulosin) before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.Stop using Flomax (Tamsulosin) and call your doctor at once if you feel like you might pass out, or if you have an erection of your penis that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Do not use Flomax (Tamsulosin) if you are allergic to tamsulosin, or if you are also taking any other alpha adrenergic blockers such as alfusozin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), or Terazosin (Hytrin). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have prostate cancer.

Uses

Tamsulosin is used by men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). It does not shrink the prostate, but it works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and the bladder. This helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate often or urgently (including during the middle of the night).

Tamsulosin belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha blockers.

Do not use this medication to treat high blood pressure.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Tamsulosin may also be used to help your body "pass," or get rid of, kidney stones through urination. It has also been used to help treat bladder problems in women.

How to use Flomax

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily, 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Tamsulosin may cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure, which could lead to dizziness or fainting. This risk is higher when you first start taking this drug, after your doctor increases your dose, or if you restart treatment after you stop taking it. During these times, avoid situations where you may be injured if you faint.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

If you have not taken this drug for several days, contact your doctor to see if you need to be restarted at a lower dose.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

How should I take Flomax (Tamsulosin)?

Take Flomax (Tamsulosin) exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not take Flomax (Tamsulosin) for longer than your doctor has prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Flomax (Tamsulosin).Take each dose with a full glass of water. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule. Flomax (Tamsulosin) is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Try to take Flomax (Tamsulosin) at the same time each day. If you stop taking Flomax (Tamsulosin) for several days in a row, call your doctor before starting the medication again. You may need to restart at a different dose. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check you on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments

Store Flomax (Tamsulosin) at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What should I avoid while taking Flomax (Tamsulosin)?

Flomax (Tamsulosin) can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase dizziness caused by Flomax (Tamsulosin).

What are the possible side effects of Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Flomax (Tamsulosin) and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:* penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer; * severe dizziness; or* fainting.

Less serious Flomax (Tamsulosin) side effects may include:* mild dizziness or drowsiness;* sleep problems (insomnia);* abnormal ejaculation, decreased sex drive; or* runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.

What other drugs will affect Flomax (Tamsulosin)?

Before taking Flomax (Tamsulosin), tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:* cimetidine (Tagamet);* cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);* metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat);* warfarin (Coumadin);* antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);* antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft);* heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or* HIV /AIDS medicine such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)..