Flomax

Generic Name: tamsulosin (tam soo LOE sin)
Brand Names: Flomax

What is Flomax?

Flomax (tamsulosin) is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Flomax is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Flomax is not approved for use in women or children.

Important information

You should not use Flomax if you are allergic to tamsulosin. Do not take tamsulosin with other similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin).

Flomax may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or when you start taking it again. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid standing for long periods of time or becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

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If you stop taking Flomax for any reason, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a dose adjustment.

Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using Flomax before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

There are many other drugs that can interact with tamsulosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Flomax if you are allergic to tamsulosin. Do not take this medicine together with similar medicines such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), or terazosin (Hytrin).

To make sure Flomax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver or kidney disease;

a history of prostate cancer;

low blood pressure; or

an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Flomax can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. Do not stop using Flomax before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Although this medicine is not for use in women, Flomax is not expected to harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Flomax is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Flomax?

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.