Tamsulosin
What is tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin (Flomax) is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Tamsulosin is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Tamsulosin is not FDA approved for use in women or children.
Warnings
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tamsulosin. Do not take tamsulosin with other similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin).
Tamsulosin may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
If you stop taking this medicine for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.
Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
There are many other drugs that can interact with this medicine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use tamsulosin if you are allergic to it. Do not take tamsulosin together with similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin).
To make sure tamsulosin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver or kidney disease;
- a history of prostate cancer;
- low blood pressure; or
- an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.