Flomax

To understand how Flomax works, one must understand what Flomax is. It does not shrink the prostate, but it works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and the bladder. This helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate often or urgently. Flomax is available in generic form, which is called Tamsulosin. This medication is an alpha blocker, which may help men with an enlarged prostate. The medication allows the bladder and prostate muscles to relax, which can help make it easier to urinate.

Flomax is in a class of medicines called alpha1a-adrenergic antagonists. Flomax capsules relax the smooth muscles in the prostate and the opening of the bladder at the site of obstruction, resulting in improved urine flow and reduced BPH symptoms. Flomax however will not shrink the prostate. The prostate may continue to get larger. This may cause the symptoms to become worse over time. Therefore, even though Flomax may lessen the problems caused by enlarged prostate now, surgery may still be needed in the future.

Flomax buying options

Talk with your doctor about your options. Determine if you want to use an online pharmacy or a local pharmacy. Many people prefer an online pharmacy because they don't have to leave their home. However, if you're nearly out of your medication, it's best to visit your local pharmacy and buy Flomax.

Check out prescription assistance programs. The branded version is relatively expensive, which can be a hardship for some people. So you can buy Flomax generic version. Also check out the Prescription Assistance Program, which offers free and low-cost medications to qualifying individuals.

Has a generic version of Flomax been approved? The following product is equivalent to Flomax: Tamsulosin Hydrochloride capsules.

How supplied

Dosage Forms And Strengths.
Capsule: 0.4 mg, olive green and orange hard gelatin, imprinted on one side with Flomax 0.4 mg.
Flomax capsules 0.4 mg are supplied in high density polyethylene bottles containing 100 hard gelatin capsules with olive green opaque cap and orange opaque body.

Flomax side effects

Flomax is generally well tolerated. Compared to placebo, the most common side effects in short-term trials are: asthenia, abnormal ejaculation, infection, dizziness, and rhinitis.

Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure that can occur with the first dose of Flomax or when changing doses of Flomax. Such a drop in blood pressure, although rare, may be associated with fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness. You should get up slowly from a chair or bed, until you know how you will react to Flomax.

Although these symptoms are uncommon, you should not drive or do any hazardous tasks until you are used to the side effects of Flomax for at least 12 hours after the first dose of Flomax. One way to avoid this may be to take your first dose in the evening when you are not planning on leaving the house. After the first dose or two, you will know how Flomax affects you. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit down until you feel better. If you stop your treatment or forget to take it for several days or more, restart Flomax only after talking with your doctor. If you experience any other side effects, such as prolonged, painful erection of the penis, which is unrelieved by sexual intercourse or masturbation, please contact our doctor immediately.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction ro Flomax: hives, rash, itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer; or
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
• nausea, diarrhea;
• headache, chest pain;
• abnormal ejaculation, decreased amount of semen;
• back pain;
• blurred vision;
• tooth problems;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• decreased interest in sex.

Interactions

Tamsulosin oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with tamsulosin are listed below.

Acid-blocking drug

Taking cimetidine with tamsulosin can increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. These drugs should be used together cautiously.

Antibiotic

Taking erythromycin with tamsulosin could increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body. This can raise your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. These drugs should be used together cautiously.

Antidepressant (SSRI)

Taking paroxetine with tamsulosin can increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. These drugs should be used together cautiously.

Antifungal drugs

Taking certain antifungals with tamsulosin can increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body. This raises your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. Examples of these drugs include:

• terbinafine (these drugs should be used together cautiously)
• ketoconazole (do not use this drug with tamsulosin)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs

Taking ED drugs with tamsulosin can cause very low blood pressure. Examples of these drugs include:

• sildenafil
• tadalafil
• vardenafil

Other benign prostatic hyperplasia drug

Taking alfuzosin with tamsulosin could worsen low blood pressure, a side effect of tamsulosin. Symptoms can include dizziness, fainting, and falls.

Alpha blockers

Taking drugs called alpha blockers with tamsulosin can cause very low blood pressure. Examples of alpha blockers include:

• doxazosin
• prazosin

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Benefits

Flomax may be used in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy to improve urine flow rates and other symptoms such as hesitancy, incomplete bladder emptying, intermittency, and a weak urine stream. No dosage adjustment is required in men with kidney or liver disease (however, the use of tamsulosin in men with end-stage kidney disease or severe liver disease has not been studied).

Dosage and Administration

Flomax capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. It should be administered approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day. Flomax capsules should not be crushed, chewed or opened. For those patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing, the dose of Flomax capsules can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily. If Flomax capsules administration is discontinued or interrupted for several days at either the 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg dose, therapy should be started again with the 0.4 mg once-daily dose. If, for any reason, you need to stop taking tamsulosin capsules for a few days, you should restart therapy with the 0.4mg dose, even if you have been taking the 0.8mg dose. Talk to your doctor about this.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.