What is Tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin is a member of a group of medicines known as alpha blockers. It helps relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate so that urine flows easily. Tamsulosin capsules can be used by men to treat symptoms of a prostate that is enlarged (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) that include difficulties in urinating (hesitation or dribbling stream and insufficient bladder emptying), painful urination, urgency, and frequency of urinary discharge. Tamsulosin is not a drug that has been approved for use by pregnant women or children.
Warnings
It is not recommended to use this medication if you are sensitive to Tamsulosin. Do not use tamsulosin together with similar medicines like alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), and terazosin (Hytrin). Tamsulosin can cause dizziness or fainting, particularly at the beginning of your use of it or when you begin using it for the second time. Be cautious when driving or doing any other activity that requires you to stay alert. Avoid standing for prolonged durations or becoming too hot during exercise or in hot temperatures. Be careful not to get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position, as you could get dizzy. If you decide to stop taking this medication for any reason, contact your doctor prior to starting the process again. It could be necessary to make an adjustment.
Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Make sure to inform your eye surgeon prior to surgery that you're taking this medication. Do not stop taking this medication prior to surgery unless the surgeon has instructed you to. There are many other medications that may be incompatible with this medicine. Inform your doctor about the medications you are taking. Follow all the instructions on the label of your medication and on the label of your package. Inform your healthcare professionals about your medical ailments, allergies, and any medications you take.
Before Taking this Medicine
To make sure that Tamsulosin capsules are safe for you, inform your physician if you've ever experienced:
- Prostate cancer.
- Low blood pressure.
- An allergic reaction to Sulfa medications an allergy to sulfa drugs.
- Kidney or liver disease.
Tamsulosin may affect your eyes. If you're having cataract surgery, you should inform your doctor that you are using this medication. Discuss with your doctor screening for prostate cancer prior to and during taking this medication. Tamsulosin isn't recommended for use by women.
How to Take Tamsulosin?
Use Tamsulosin capsules precisely as directed by your physician. Follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Also, review all medication guides and instructions.
Tamsulosin capsules should be consumed once per day for 30 minutes following the same meal every day.
Suck the capsule whole, but avoid crushing, chewing, or breaking it. You can also crack it.
Your blood pressure needs to be checked regularly.
If you decide to stop taking this medicine, don't restart it without consulting your physician.
Close tightly in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia:
0.4 mg once per day. The dose can be increased to 0.8 mg orally every day for patients who are unable to react to 0.4 mg once daily within 2 to 4 months.
Comments:
The medication should be administered around half an hour after eating the same meal throughout the day.
Use: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but avoid your missed dose if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time. If you stop taking Tamsulosin for a few days, Do not begin the process again without seeking the advice of your physician.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What Should be Avoided?
Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of this medication on your body. Your reaction could be affected. Do not get up too quickly from a seated or lying position, as you could be dizzy.
Side Effects of Tamsulosin
See a doctor immediately when you notice an allergic reaction to Tamsulosin (hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever, throat soreness, eye burning, irritation, as well as red or purple itching, blisters, and peeling). Tamsulosin could lower blood pressure and cause fainting, particularly when you are first beginning to take it or when your dose is changed. Tamsulosin may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine immediately and consult your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're about to pass out or
- A painful erection that lasts for 4 hours or more.
The most common side effects associated with tamsulosin are:
- Abnormal ejaculation, less quantity of semen;
- Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
- Runny or stuffy nose; sinusitis; cough;
- Lower back pain back pain, chest pain, migraine;
- Nausea, diarhea;
- Tooth issues;
- Blurred vision
- Sleep problems (insomnia); or
- Less interest in sex.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
There are times when it's not recommended to take certain medicines in conjunction with other medications. Certain medications can alter your blood levels from other medications you take, which could create side effects or render the medication less effective.
Inform your doctor about all the medications you take. There are many drugs that can affect Tamsulosin's effects, including:
- Cimetidine
- Medicine to treat impotence or pulmonary arterial hypertension—avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
- Medications for treating hypertension or prostate problems—alfuzosin and doxazosin, silodosin, prazosin, and terazosin.
This list isn't exhaustive and includes a variety of Other medications that can interfere with Tamsulosin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs, which are listed here.
Ingredients: Tamsulosin Capsules
Active Ingredient: Tamsulosin hydrochloride
Inactive ingredients: methacrylic Acid copolymer, microcrystallinecellulose, pure water, talc triethyl cirate, black iron oxide, FD&C Blue No. 2 gelatin, red iron oxide, titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide, tiny quantities of antifoam DC 1510 industrial methylated spirit lecithin, n-butyl alcoholic isopropyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, ammonium potassium hydroxide, and shellac.
