Tamsulosin
tamsulosin Drug Details (Generic)
Generic Name:
Therapeutic Class:
Availability:
Common Brands:
Form:
Flomax Drug Details (Brand)
Therapeutic Class:
Alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker
Forms:
Capsule
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
What is Flomax (tamsulosin)
Flomax (floh maks) belongs to a group of medications called alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blockers. It is a prescription oral capsule that is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in men.
There may be other uses of Flomax - your pharmacist or health care provider can give you more information.
Who can take Flomax (tamsulosin)
Flomax is FDA-approved to treat BPH in adult men over the age of 18 years.
Flomax Uses (Brand)
What is Flomax (tamsulosin) used for?
Flomax is a prescription alpha-blocker used to treat the signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland in men. Symptoms of BPH can include difficulty urinating (frequency, urgency, dribbling, hesitation, weak stream, pain with urination, and incomplete emptying of the bladder).
How does Flomax (tamsulosin) work?
Flomax selectively relaxes the muscles of the prostate and urinary bladder, making it easier for urine to flow. This can help improve urination in men with BPH.
What are Flomax (tamsulosin) doses?
Flomax is available as a 0.4-mg capsule. The usual dose is 0.4 mg Flomax once a day. If you fail to respond to Flomax 0.4 mg, your doctor may increase the dose to 0.8 mg daily after 2-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose of Flomax is 0.8 mg per day.
tamsulosin Directions (Generic)
Flomax Directions (Brand)
How should I take Flomax (tamsulosin)?
Take Flomax drug as directed by your physician and/or pharmacist. This medicine is taken orally (by mouth) with water, 30 minutes after the same meal every day. You should swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, chew, crush, or open Flomax capsules.
Follow the instructions on your prescription label for the correct Flomax dosage and frequency. Take your medicine regularly at around the same time every day. Do not take more or less medication or take it more frequently or less frequently than prescribed.
Flomax will control your symptoms, but it will not cure your condition. Continue taking the medicine even if your symptoms are better. Do not stop taking Flomax without checking with your doctor first.
Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose of Flomax, take the medicine as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you interrupt Flomax treatment for several days or longer, talk to your doctor before restarting the medication. You will need to start at a lower dose if you previously took more than one capsule of Flomax in a day.
Storage: Store Flomax at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Throw away any expired or unused Flomax. Do not flush the medicine down the toilet. The best way to dispose of the medicine is through a medication take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary and may not contain all possible Flomax information. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have questions about the Flomax drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information to ensure proper medical care is provided.
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tamsulosin Side Effects (Generic)
Flomax Side Effects (Brand)
What are Flomax (tamsulosin) side effects?
Possible side effects of Flomax are listed below. Contact your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not improve with time.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Problems with ejaculation
- Weakness
- Insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep)
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
- Blurred vision
- Pain or pressure in the face
- Sore throat, cough, fever, chills
Flomax can cause certain serious adverse effects. Call your doctor right away if you experience:
- Rash, hives, itching
- Swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, tongue, throat, hands, feet
- A painful erection that lasts for hours
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of Flomax. Talk to your doctor if you have severe side effects or the side effects do not improve over time. You can also report an unusual or allergic reaction to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Flomax Overdose: Call your doctor and get medical attention immediately in case of a known or suspected overdose. If the person can’t be awakened, has had a seizure, or has trouble breathing, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms of a Flomax overdose may include headache, dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, and stomach upset.
NOTE: Flomax is a prescription drug intended to be used only by the respective owners. Never share your prescription medication with others or use someone else’s medicine.
Source: FDA
tamsulosin Warnings (Generic)
Flomax Warnings (Brand)
What are the risks of taking Flomax (tamsulosin)?
Flomax can cause serious health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients.
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What should I tell my doctor before starting Flomax (tamsulosin)?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to tamsulosin, sulfa drugs, or other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of active and inactive ingredients in Flomax.
Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions. Flomax may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, or prostate cancer.
Be sure to give your doctor a complete list of medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.
Flomax is only approved for use in men. Women should not take Flomax, especially if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. If a pregnant woman takes Flomax, she should call her doctor.
What precautions should I take while on Flomax (tamsulosin)?
Keep all appointments with your doctor while on Flomax. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of the medication and increase the dose based on your response. They may also order lab work.
Flomax can make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires your full attention before knowing how this medicine affects you. You should avoid standing for long or becoming overheated while exercising in hot weather. Remember, drinking alcohol can make drowsiness from prescription medications worse.
Tell your healthcare providers you are on Flomax before undergoing any surgery. Be sure to tell your eye surgeon you are on Flomax before undergoing an eye surgery such as cataract surgery. Also, tell your dentist you are on Flomax before undergoing dental surgery.
What are Flomax (tamsulosin) interactions?
Taking Flomax with some other medications can affect how the medication works. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your physician may choose a different BPH medication for you, change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines, and/or closely monitor you for side effects if there are known interactions between Flomax and your other medications.
Using Flomax with the following medications is not recommended:
- Boceprevir
There can also be interactions between Flomax and medications such as:
- Other alpha-blockers like alfuzosin (Uroxatral), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), and doxazosin (Cardura).
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra).
This list may not describe all possible Flomax interactions. Give your healthcare provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements, and natural products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.
Flomax Pros & Cons (Brand)
What are the pros and cons of Flomax (tamsulosin)?
- Flomax can improve urination with fewer side effects compared to similar medications.
- You only have to take this medicine once a day.
- A low-cost generic version is available. You can also get the brand-name drug at low prices with a BuzzRx Flomax coupon.
- Flomax relieves symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia but does not cure the condition.
- It can cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure if you stand up too quickly from sitting or lying down).
- Flomax can have sexual side effects.
Flomax Pharmacist Tips (Brand)
Flomax (tamsulosin) tips from pharmacists
Take your Flomax capsule 30 minutes after the same meal every day. This can help prevent the medication from getting absorbed too quickly and causing side effects.
Make sure you swallow the Flomax capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule.
Flomax can cause low blood pressure, especially if you stand up quickly from a sitting or lying position. Stand up slowly from sitting or standing while on Flomax treatment.
Dizziness and drowsiness are possible side effects of Flomax. Do not drive or do anything that requires focus until you know how it affects you.
Flomax Rx Savings Tips (Brand)
Flomax (tamsulosin) Rx savings tips
Flomax is available as a generic medication tamsulosin, which can be significantly cheaper than the brand name version. Brand name Flomax and generic tamsulosin contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic medicine offers better value. However, a BuzzRx Flomax coupon can result in big discounts on the brand-name drug. With a BuzzRx savings card, discount card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail Flomax prices. Brand name Flomax may be under $270 for 30 capsules at participating pharmacies in our network such as Walgreens Pharmacy, Rite Aid Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy, or your preferred pharmacy with a BuzzRx discount card or savings card.
Lowest Price for Flomax (tamsulosin) | |
| Brand $279.55 | Generic $8.37 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Flomax Common Questions (Brand)
Common Questions about Flomax (tamsulosin)
Does Flomax make you pee more?Flomax relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder to improve urination. This can increase the flow of urine and make you feel like you are peeing more. |
What is the best time of day to take Flomax?Take your Flomax 30 minutes after breakfast, if you can. This can make it easier to urinate throughout the day. You can also take the capsule 30 minutes after lunch or dinner. Take your medicine at around the same time every day. |
Why do you have to wait 30 minutes after you eat to take Flomax?Taking Flomax on an empty stomach allows more of the medication to be absorbed quickly. However, this can cause more side effects, such as a drop in blood pressure when you stand up from sitting or lying. |
How long does it take for Flomax to start working?It can take 2-6 weeks for you to notice the full benefits of Flomax. If you do not respond to the 0.4 mg dose of Flomax, your doctor may increase the dose to 0.8 mg daily after 2-4 weeks. |
Do I have to take Flomax forever?Flomax is used for the long-term treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. If you stop taking the medication for several days or longer, talk to your doctor before restarting it. |
What is the price of Flomax without insurance?Without insurance, Flomax can be as high as $116.32 (generic), but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $8.37 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 prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of Flomax with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on Flomax—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 Flomax. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medication, 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. |
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