General Information and Indications:
Tamsulosin is used to treat the symptoms of
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; condition in which the prostate [a male
reproductive gland] enlarges and interferes with the flow of urine from the
bladder) such as frequent, urgent need to urinate during the day and at
night, weak urine stream, and difficulty in urination. Tamsulosin is in a
class of medications called alpha blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles
in the prostate and bladder neck so that urine can flow easily.
Information For Users:
Tamsulosin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is
usually taken once a day. Take tamsulosin 30 minutes after the same meal
each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor
or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take tamsulosin exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Swallow tamsulosin capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of tamsulosin and may
increase your dose after 2–4 weeks.
Tamsulosin may help control your condition, but it will not cure it.
Continue taking tamsulosin even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking
tamsulosin without informing your doctor.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to tamsulosin, sulfa medications, any other medications, or any of
the inactive ingredients in tamsulosin capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a
list of the inactive ingredients. You can also ask your pharmacist if you
are not sure if a medication you are allergic to contains sulfa.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are
taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alpha
blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress),
and terazosin (Hytrin); cimetidine (Tagamet); and warfarin (Coumadin) . Your
doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more
carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney disease.
o you should know that tamsulosin is only for use in men. Women should not
take tamsulosin, especially if they are pregnant or could become pregnant or
are breast-feeding. If a pregnant woman takes tamsulosin, she should call
her doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking tamsulosin. If you need to have eye surgery at
any time during or after your treatment, be sure to Inform your doctor that
you are taking or have taken tamsulosin.
o you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a
car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
o you should know that tamsulosin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and
fainting, especially when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This
is more common when you first start taking tamsulosin or after your dose is
increased. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet
on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.Call your doctor if these
symptoms are severe or do not go away.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Tamsulosin may cause adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
o sleepiness
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o weakness
o back pain
o diarrhea
o runny nose
o pain or pressure in the face
o sore throat, cough, fever, chills, or other signs of infection
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o difficulty ejaculating
Some adverse effects could be serious. If you have any of the following
symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
o rash
o itching
o hives (Urticaria)
o swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, throat, arms, hands, feet,
ankles, or lower legs.
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o dizziness
o fainting
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o upset stomach
o headache
Brand Name(s):
o Flomax® |
