What is tamsulosin (oral)?
Tamsulosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers.
Tamsulosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It
also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Tamsulosin is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
(enlarged prostate).
Tamsulosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tamsulosin (oral)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tamsulosin, or if you are also taking
any other alpha adrenergic blockers such as alfusozin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin
(Minipress), or Terazosin (Hytrin).
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
prostate cancer.
If you will be having cataract surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking tamsulosin.
FDA pregnancy category B. Tamsulosin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby.
Tamsulosin is not for use in children.
How should I take tamsulosin (oral)?
Take tamsulosin exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the
medication than recommended. Do not take tamsulosin for longer than your doctor has
prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Swallow the tamsulosin capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule.
Tamsulosin is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Try
to take this medication at the same time each day.
If you stop taking tamsulosin for several days in a row, call your doctor before
starting the medication again. You may need to restart at a different dose.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your doctor will need to check you
on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of tamsulosin (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you miss your doses for several days in a row, contact your doctor before restarting the
medication. You may need a lower dose.
Where can I get more information about tamsulosin (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about tamsulosin (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of tamsulosin (oral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using tamsulosin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild dizziness or drowsiness;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
abnormal ejaculation, decreased sex drive; or
-
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about tamsulosin (oral)?
Tamsulosin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You may feel dizzy
when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Avoid standing up too quickly to keep from
falling.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase dizziness caused by tamsulosin.
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. You may also
be allergic to tamsulosin.
Tamsulosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract
surgery during your treatment with tamsulosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
this medication. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Stop using tamsulosin and call your doctor at once if you feel like you might pass
out, or if you have an erection of your penis that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours.
What should I avoid while taking tamsulosin (oral)?
Tamsulosin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up
slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase dizziness caused by tamsulosin.
What other drugs will affect tamsulosin (oral)?
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat);
-
warfarin (Coumadin);
-
antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin
(Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin),
itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram
(Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline
(Zoloft);
-
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem
(Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or
-
HIV /AIDS medicine such as indinavir (Crixivan),
nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with tamsulosin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of tamsulosin (oral)?