Flomax (Tamsulosin)

What is Flomax?

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha-adrenergic blockers. Tamsulosin hydrochloride is an antagonist of alpha1A adrenoceptors in the prostate. Flomax is indicated for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It improves urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

What is Flomax used for?

Flomax is used to relax your arteries and veins to make it easier for the blood to pass through them. Flomax also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. 

How does Flomax work?

Flomax works by relaxing the veins and arteries. Once these veins and arteries have relaxed around the affected prostate and bladder neck, there’s an increase in the urinary tract. This permits urine to flow freely out of the bladder.

This also lowers the risk of a urinary tract infection. Flomax reduces the signs and symptoms associated with BPH.

How to use Flomax

Flomax is usually taken once a day with a full glass of water. It is advisable to take the Flomax capsule leaving a gap of at least 30 minutes after a meal. Don’t crush, chew or open the Flomax capsule. Just swallow it. Remember to take Flomax capsule around the same time each day.

Flomax should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking Flomax for a longer duration than prescribed can cause some serious side effects. 

Flomax warnings and precautions

After taking the Flomax capsule, don’t get up too fast from a lying or sitting position, you may fall. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase the dizziness caused by Flomax.

If you have to have a cataract surgery done, tell your surgeon in advance about the use of Flomax and don’t stop the medication unless your surgeon advises you to.

Immediately contact your doctor if you have a penis erection that lasts for more than 4 hours.

What do I do if I have missed a Flomax dose?

If you have missed your Flomax dose, you can take the missed dose anytime but not immediately before the next scheduled dose. If you have missed your Flomax doses for several days in a row, consult your doctor before restarting the medication. 

What do I do if I have taken a Flomax overdose?

If you have taken a Flomax overdose you should keep in supine position. If this doesn’t help, take intravenous fluids. Seek medical attention if the problem persists. 

Flomax interactions

Before taking Flomax, consult your doctor if you are using drugs like cimetidine (Tagamet), warfarin (Coumadin), metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ketoconazole (Nizoral), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or itraconazole (Sporanox).

Flomax should not be taken with antidepressants such as fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), or sertraline (Zoloft) and also with heart or blood pressure medication.

Using Flomax with HIV /AIDS medicine such as saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept), can cause some serious side effects.

Consult your doctor before starting with any new medicine.

Flomax side effects

There are some minor side effects of Flomax. These include mild dizziness, sleeplessness (or insomnia), abnormal ejaculation, sore throat, running or stuffy nose.   

Flomax can also cause allergic reactions such as hives, face swelling or difficulty in breathing. If any of these signs occur, consult your doctor right away.

Fainting, severe dizziness and penis erection for a longer period of time are some of the serious side effects of Flomax.