What is the most important information I should know about tamsulosin?
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
What is tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin is used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women or children.
Tamsulosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tamsulosin?
You should not use tamsulosin if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- prostate cancer;
- low blood pressure;
- an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
- liver or kidney disease.
Tamsulosin can affect your pupils. If you have cataract surgery, tell the surgeon you use this medicine.
Ask your doctor about prostate cancer screening before and while taking tamsulosin.
Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women.
How should I take tamsulosin?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Tamsulosin is usually taken once a day, within 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you stop using this medicine, do not start it again without your doctor's advice.
Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
If you stop using this medicine for several days in a row, do not start it again without your doctor's advice.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking tamsulosin?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
What are the possible side effects of tamsulosin?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Tamsulosin may lower your blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or your dose changes.
Stop using tamsulosin and call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
- a painful erection that lasts 4 hours or longer.
Common side effects may include:
- abnormal ejaculation, decreased amount of semen;
- dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
- runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
- back pain, chest pain, headache;
- nausea, diarrhea;
- tooth problems;
- blurred vision;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- decreased interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect tamsulosin?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect tamsulosin, especially:
- cimetidine;
- medicine to treat impotence or pulmonary arterial hypertension--avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn); or
- drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder --alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin, silodosin.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect tamsulosin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about tamsulosin.
