Flomax Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Flomax Capsule contains tamsulosin hydrochloride, an alpha blocker used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). It works by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder to help urine flow more easily. It is taken once daily as directed by a doctor, and like all medicines, it can cause side effects and requires certain precautions.

What is Flomax Capsule

Flomax is a prescription medicine used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It belongs to a group of medicines called alpha blockers.

Flomax Capsule uses

• Treats the signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), including difficulty urinating, painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency

Benefits of Flomax Capsule

• Relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder so urine can flow more easily
• Reduces symptoms like weak stream, dribbling, and incomplete bladder emptying
• May reduce nighttime trips to the bathroom caused by BPH

How Flomax Capsule works

Flomax relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck where they narrow the flow of urine. This helps urine flow more easily and reduces BPH symptoms.

Flomax Capsule dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor, following the directions on your prescription label. It is usually taken once a day, about 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Swallow the capsule whole; do not crush, chew, break, or open it. If you stop taking this medicine for several days or more, talk to your doctor before starting it again. Tell your eye surgeon you are taking this medicine if you are having cataract or glaucoma surgery. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose; do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule

Side effects of Flomax Capsule

Common

• 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)
• Decreased interest in sex

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling of face or throat)
• Severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling)
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• A painful erection that lasts 4 hours or longer (priapism)
• Fainting
• Eye problems during cataract or glaucoma surgery (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome)

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take Flomax with other similar medicines (other alpha blockers) such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, or terazosin.
• Flomax may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking it or restart it. Be careful standing up quickly, standing for long periods, or getting overheated.
• If you stop taking this medicine, talk to your doctor before starting it again, since you may need a different dose.
• This medicine can affect your pupils during cataract or glaucoma surgery, so tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you use this medicine.
• Prostate cancer and BPH can cause similar symptoms, so your doctor should check for prostate cancer before and during treatment.
• Rarely, this medicine can cause a painful erection lasting a long time, which can lead to permanent erection problems if not treated right away.
• Do not use this medicine with strong inhibitors of a certain liver enzyme, such as ketoconazole, since this can raise the amount of medicine in your blood.
• Flomax is not approved for use in women, so pregnancy and breastfeeding information does not apply. 
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before taking this medicine; severe liver problems have not been studied with this drug. This medicine can cause dizziness, so be careful if you drive or do activities that require you to be alert, especially when you first start taking it.

Storage

• Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat
• Store at 25°C (77°F); short-term exposure to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F) is acceptable
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face or throat, or a severe skin reaction with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, or a blistering skin rash.
• Stop using Flomax and call your doctor right away if you feel like you might pass out, or if you have a painful erection lasting 4 hours or longer.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away.

Alternatives

• Alfuzosin
• Dutasteride