Flomax

$0.91

Flomax

Enlarged prostate treatment (like benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH). The medication can be also used for other conditions than those indicated in this guide. As an alpha-blocker, tamsulosin is meant to relax muscles in the bladder and prostate, resulting in urine flow enhancement and BPH symptoms decrease.

Tamsulosin is used for:

Enlarged prostate treatment (like benign prostatic hyperplasia – BPH). The medication can be also used for other conditions than those indicated in this guide.

As an alpha-blocker, tamsulosin is meant to relax muscles in the bladder and prostate, resulting in urine flow enhancement and BPH symptoms decrease

Do NOT use Tamsulosin if:

• you have an allergy to tamsulosin's ingredients
• you are under another alpha-blocker (for instance, prazosin)

If you have any of these conditions, you should see your doctor right away

Before using Tamsulosin:

There exist medical conditions which are likely to interact with tamsulosin. Use the medication with caution i

• you are pregnant, planning to become one or are breastfeeding a baby;
• you are using either prescription or nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements or herbal preparations;
• you are allergic to drugs and other substances;
• you have a serious allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, severe rash, dizziness, hives) to any diuretics, like hydrochlorothiazide; sulfonylureas (for instance, glyburide); certain sulfonamide (sulfa) medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib; or medications like probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib or zonisamide;
• you have a history of prostate cancer or high blood pressure;
• you are expecting to have eye surgery.

Some drugs may interact with tamsulosin. If you are taking one of the following medications, you should consult with your health provider before starting treatment with tamsulosin:

• Alpha-blockers (such as prazosin) or phosphodiesterase inhibitors (for instance, sildenafil). If you mix tamsulosin with these compounds, you may have symptoms of low blood pressure (for example, severe dizziness, fainting and lightheadedness).
• Azole antifungals (like ketoconazole), cimetidine, or serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (such as fluoxetine), otherwise it may aggravate the drug's side effects.
• Warfarin to avoid more severe side effects.

Keep in mind that other interactions may occur as well. If you are going to start tamsulosin treatment, stop taking the drug or change the dose, you should consult with your doctor beforehand

How to use Tamsulosin:

Check the label for detailed instructions considering the dosing of the drug

• Tamsulosin comes with an extra patient leaflet containing useful information.
• The medication should by taken orally, 30 minutes after one and the same meal, on a daily basis.
• Tamsulosin has to be swallowed whole: don't crush, chew, break or open capsules before using the medication.
• In case you accidentally missed a dose, it is recommended to take tamsulosin as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose of tamsulosin, you should better skip the missed one and return to your normal schedule. Never use two doses at once to catch up. Contact your health care provider if you missed more than two doses.

Important safety information:

• Taking tamsulosin may result in blurred vision, drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting. In case you mix the drug with other medical compounds or with alcohol, these side effects may be aggravated. Take the drug with caution: for example, keep away from driving until you know how it influences you.
• Hot weather, fever, exercise and alcohol can increase tamsulosin's side effects, like lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting. As soon as you notice one of these symptoms you should sit or lie down for a while. Stand up slowly in the morning to avoid these effects.
• Once you have taken a dose of tamsulosin, you should neither drive nor perform other unsafe tasks that require mental activity for 12 hours.
• Before receiving any dental care, emergency or medical care, or surgery, you have to tell your doctor that you are under tamsulosin.
• In some rare cases tamsulosin may lead to a painful prolonged erection, even if you aren't involved into a sexual intercourse at the moment. In case this condition isn't treated as soon as it is detected, it may result in serious sexual problems, like impotence. If you have a prolonged erection, it is better to seek immediate medical help at once.
• While you are taking tamsulosin, it is recommended to have regular check-ups and medical tests.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: The medication isn't approved for use in women. No clinical studies regarding the effect of tamsulosin on an unborn baby or its appearance in breast milk have been performed yet.

Possible side effects of Tamsulosin :

Practically any drug can provoke side effects, but many people don't experience any or have just minor ones. See you doctor in case you detected such side effects as

Blurred vision; lightheadedness; drowsiness; sinus inflammation; trouble sleeping; back pain; cough; dizziness; stuffy or runny nose; weakness; diarrhea; or decreased sexual ability

In case you notice severe side effects you should seek emergency medical attention:

Severe or persistent dizziness; fever; persistent sore throat; prolonged and painful erection; irregular heartbeat; chest pain; fainting; chills; or severe allergic reaction, like hives, rash, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, itching and swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or lips

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The date of expiry that varies from batch to batch is indicated on each blister. Usually the shelf life of tamsulosin is two years from the date of manufacture.