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Drug Details

Tamsulosin

( Flomax )

Last Reviewed: Nov 22, 2024

Drug Details

Generic Name:

Tamsulosin hydrochloride

Common Brands:

Flomax

Availability:

Prescription only

Therapeutic Class:

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (alpha-blockers)

Forms:

Oral capsule

Administration:

By mouth

Therapeutic Uses:

To treat the symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

Controlled Status:

Not a controlled substance

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Drug Class

Tamsulosin (tam-soo-loe-sin) belongs to a group of medications called alpha-blockers.

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Age Range

Tamsulosin is approved for use in adult men. This medication is not indicated or approved for use in women and children.

Uses

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Uses

Tamsulosin is used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. It is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes symptoms such as hesitation, dribbling, weak urine stream, incomplete bladder emptying, painful urination, urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence.

There may be other uses of tamsulosin—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Mechanism of Action

Tamsulosin works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder to promote easier flow of urine and relieve difficulty urinating.

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Doses

Flomax (tamsulosin) comes as a 0.4-mg oral capsule. The medicine should be taken once daily, half an hour after the same meal each day.

Directions

How To Use Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Take the tamsulosin capsule by mouth once daily, 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew it.

Read the prescription label and package insert carefully. Take tamsulosin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval.

Your doctor will start you on tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily. They may increase the dose to 0.8 mg daily, if needed, after 2-4 weeks.

Tamsulosin can control lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as long as you continue taking the medicine. It will not, however, shrink the prostate gland or cure your BPH. Continue tamsulosin therapy even if your symptoms are well controlled. Do not discontinue treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of tamsulosin, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for a missed dose. If you miss several days of your tamsulosin dose, call your healthcare provider, especially if you are on a higher dose (0.8 mg daily). You may need to restart tamsulosin at a lower dose again (0.4 mg daily).

Storage: Store tamsulosin at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired tamsulosin should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw tamsulosin in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded tamsulosin is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on tamsulosin. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about tamsulosin, talk to your doctor for medical advice.

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Side Effects

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Side Effects

Common side effects of tamsulosin are listed below. Call your doctor for medical advice if these side effects are severe or continue after a few days.

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)
Diarrhea
Back pain
Weakness
Facial pain or pressure
Runny nose or stuffy nose
Signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat)
Blurred vision
Abnormal ejaculation

Less commonly, tamsulosin can cause serious adverse reactions, including allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you develop:

Severe skin reaction (rash, hives, itching)
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, hands, or feet
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Priapism (a painful or prolonged erection that lasts several hours)

The above list may not include all the potential side effects of tamsulosin. Contact your health care provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Overdose: In case of an overdose of tamsulosin, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if a person has collapsed, stopped breathing, stopped responding, or had a seizure. Symptoms of a tamsulosin overdose may include lightheadedness, blurred vision, fainting, headache, and stomach upset.

Source: FDA

Warnings

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Tamsulosin can cause or worsen health problems in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) if you are at increased risk of adverse reactions from taking tamsulosin. Some of the risks of tamsulosin use include:

ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION: People treated with tamsulosin can develop postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure with changes in position, for instance, when going from a sitting or lying position to standing). Symptoms may include lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. The risk is highest when you first start treatment and after a dosage adjustment. Get out of bed slowly and place your feet on the floor for 1-2 minutes before standing up to prevent falls.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Concomitant use of tamsulosin with certain other medications can increase the risk of severe side effects. Certain drugs block the enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 that metabolize (break down) tamsulosin in the body. Taking these medicines blocks the enzymes and leads to increased blood levels of tamsulosin. Too much tamsulosin in the body can cause severe adverse effects. Some of the drugs with which tamsulosin can interact include antifungal agents (ketoconazole, terbinafine), antibiotics (erythromycin), antidepressants (paroxetine), acid reducers (cimetidine), PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil), anticoagulants (warfarin), and other alpha-blockers.
PRIAPISM: There are reports of priapism (prolonged or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours) in men who took tamsulosin. This is a medical emergency and can result in permanent damage to the penile tissue, causing erectile dysfunction (impotence). Seek emergency medical care if you develop a painful erection that does not go away even after several hours.
SCREENING FOR PROSTATE CANCER: Symptoms of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can be similar, and these conditions can occur at the same time. Other problems, like kidney stones, can also cause similar symptoms. Your healthcare provider will screen you for prostate cancer before starting tamsulosin treatment and periodically thereafter.
COMPLICATIONS DURING EYE SURGERY: People taking tamsulosin and other alpha-blockers can develop a complication during cataract or glaucoma surgery called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). Tell your eye surgeon you are on tamsulosin before any scheduled eye surgery.
SULFA ALLERGY: People with an allergy to sulfa drugs may have a severe allergic reaction to tamsulosin. Tell your doctor if you have had a serious allergic reaction to sulfa medications in the past.

Precautions Before Starting Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to tamsulosin, any of the active or inactive ingredients in tamsulosin capsules, sulfa drugs, other alpha-blockers, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between tamsulosin and your other medicines.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Tamsulosin may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as low blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, or prostate cancer.

Tamsulosin is not intended for use by women, especially women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If a pregnant woman accidentally takes tamsulosin, contact a healthcare provider.

Precautions During Use of Tamsulosin (Flomax)

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on tamsulosin. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on how the medication affects your BPH symptoms. They will also monitor you for serious side effects.

Tamsulosin can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded and cause blurred vision, confusion, and reduced mental alertness. Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or do other hazardous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.

Avoid drinking alcohol while on tamsulosin. Alcohol can make tamsulosin-related dizziness worse.

Tamsulosin affects blood pressure and can cause lightheadedness and dizziness when changing positions (for example, when going from a lying or sitting position to standing). To prevent falls, place your feet on the ground for a few minutes when getting out of bed. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience severe dizziness or fainting after taking tamsulosin.

Tell all your healthcare providers you are taking tamsulosin, especially before any eye surgery.

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs and tamsulosin interact, and this can increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may change your dose, switch you to a different medication, and/or monitor you closely for adverse effects if there are known interactions between tamsulosin and your other medications. Known interactions with tamsulosin include:

Antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole and terbinafine
Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin
Some antidepressants, for example, paroxetine
Medications used to prevent stomach acid production, such as cimetidine
PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), for example, sildenafil and tadalafil
Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin
Other alpha blockers

This list may not include all the drugs that interact with or affect tamsulosin. Give your healthcare professional a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

Pros & Cons

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Pros and Cons

pros header.svg

Tamsulosin is a first-choice medication for treating symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland.
You only need to take this medicine once daily by mouth.
There is a lower-cost generic available.
Tamsulosin affects blood pressure less than some of the other medications used to treat symptoms of BPH, such as terazosin.

cons header.svg

Tamsulosin only treats the symptoms of BPH. It does not decrease the size of the prostate gland or cure the condition.
You need to take tamsulosin 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
This drug may not be safe for people with an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Tamsulosin can cause sexual side effects such as abnormal ejaculation or decreased interest in sex (low libido).

Pharmacist Tips

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Tips from Pharmacists

Take the tamsulosin capsule 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
Swallow the tamsulosin capsule whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew it.
If you miss a dose of Flomax (tamsulosin), take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the forgotten dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take tamsulosin for several days in a row, call your doctor. You may need to restart at a lower dose again.
Tamsulosin can cause dizziness when going from a lying or sitting position to standing. Get out of bed slowly to prevent falls.
Tamsulosin can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Tamsulosin can cause complications during eye surgery. Tell the eye surgeon you are on this medicine before any scheduled surgical procedure on your eyes.

Rx Savings Tips

Tamsulosin (Flomax) Rx Savings Tips

Tamsulosin is a generic medication and is available at significantly lower prices than the brand name. Brand name Flomax and generic tamsulosin contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic version offers better value. A BuzzRx tamsulosin coupon can result in big savings on the generic and brand name forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Tamsulosin may be under $10.00 for 90 capsules of the 0.4 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on tamsulosin, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx tamsulosin discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions.

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Common Questions

Common Questions about Tamsulosin (Flomax)

How much does tamsulosin shrink the prostate?

Tamsulosin does not shrink the prostate. It works by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

What is the best time of day to take tamsulosin?

You can take tamsulosin at any time of the day. However, you should take the medicine 30 minutes after the same meal every day. Some people find that taking tamsulosin at night helps to prevent nighttime urine production and nighttime awakenings to urinate.

Does tamsulosin work immediately?

Studies show that tamsulosin starts working from the first dose to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms. However, it can take 1-3 months to get the full benefits of this medicine.

Can I take 2 tamsulosin a day?

The usual dose of tamsulosin is 0.4 mg, one capsule once daily. Your healthcare provider may increase the dose to 0.8 mg daily if needed. In this case, you can take 2 tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules together (for a total dose of 0.8 mg daily).

Can I have sex while on tamsulosin?

Yes, you can have sexual intercourse while on tamsulosin. This medicine can, however, cause decreased interest in sex (low libido) and ejaculation problems. Seek emergency medical attention if you develop a painful or prolonged erection that lasts more than 4 hours. This is called priapism, and it is a medical emergency.

What is the price of tamsulosin without insurance?

Without insurance, tamsulosin can be as high as $321.38, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $9.95 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not.

What is the price of tamsulosin with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on tamsulosin—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for tamsulosin. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.