What is Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Flomax (Tamsulosin) is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Flomax (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.Flomax (Tamsulosin) is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Important information about Flomax (Tamsulosin)
Flomax (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 Flomax (Tamsulosin). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. You may also be allergic to Flomax (Tamsulosin).Flomax (Tamsulosin) can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract surgery during your treatment with Flomax (Tamsulosin), tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using Flomax (Tamsulosin) before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.Stop using Flomax (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 discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Do not use Flomax (Tamsulosin) 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 this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have prostate cancer.
How should I take Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Take Flomax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Flomax is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Try to take this medication at the same time each day.
Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
Flomax lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it, or when you start taking it again. Call your doctor if you have severe dizziness or feel like you might pass out.
Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You will also need to be checked for prostate cancer before and during treatment with Flomax.
You may feel very dizzy when you first wake up. Be careful when standing or sitting up from a lying position.
If you stop taking Flomax for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Flomax (Tamsulosin) overdose symptoms may include a fast heartbeat, cold or clammy skin, severe headache, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Flomax (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 Flomax (Tamsulosin).
What are the possible side effects of Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
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 Flomax 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.
What other drugs will affect Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Before taking Flomax (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)..
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