Drugs & Medications
Flomax
GENERIC NAME(S): TAMSULOSIN HCL
Uses
This medication is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). Tamsulosin is known as an alpha-blocker and works by relaxing muscles in the bladder and prostate. Relaxing these muscles helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently (including during the middle of the night).
This medication should not be used 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.
Use 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 to notice an improvement in symptoms. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks or if they worsen.
Side Effects
Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, runny/stuffy nose, or ejaculation problems may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if this rare but serious side effect occurs: fainting.
Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To reduce the risk of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially when you first start taking this drug or if your doctor changes your dose. If dizziness occurs, sit or lie down until you feel better. Also, when you first start taking this drug, avoid situations where you may be injured if you faint.
Before having surgery (including cataract eye surgery), tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication and about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Before using tamsulosin, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.
It is unknown if tamsulosin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: other alpha-blockers (such as prazosin, terazosin), drugs to treat erectile dysfunction-ED or pulmonary hypertension (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil).
Other medications can affect the removal of this product from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), boceprevir, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as lopinavir, ritonavir), a certain combination HIV medication (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir), telithromycin, among others.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, fainting.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as prostate exams, prostate-specific antigen-PSA) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised January 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.
Images
Identification
- color
- orange
- shape
- oblong
- imprint
- Flomax 0.4 mg, BI 58
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