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

Quick overview

Tamsulosin Capsule, with the generic name tamsulosin, is a prescription alpha blocker used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH). It works by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow. It is sometimes also used to help pass kidney stones. It is taken once daily and is not approved for use in women or children.

What is Tamsulosin Capsule

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

Tamsulosin Capsule uses

• Treats the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH), such as weak urine stream, trouble starting to urinate, dribbling, feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, frequent or urgent urination, and waking at night to urinate
• Sometimes used to help pass kidney stones

Benefits of Tamsulosin Capsule

• Improves urine flow and eases BPH symptoms by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder neck
• Long-term studies show sustained symptom improvement and increased urine flow for up to 6 years of treatment

How Tamsulosin Capsule works

Tamsulosin blocks alpha-1 receptors in the prostate and bladder neck. This relaxes the muscles there, which improves urine flow and reduces BPH symptoms.

Tamsulosin Capsule dosage

Take once a day, about 30 minutes after the same meal each day, at around the same time every day. Swallow the capsule whole; do not crush, chew, break, or open it. Continue taking it even if you feel well, since it controls symptoms but does not cure the underlying condition. Do not take more or less than prescribed, or more often than prescribed. If you stop taking it for several days or more, talk to your doctor before starting again. It is not approved for use in women or children.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral capsule (0.4 mg)

Side effects of Tamsulosin Capsule

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, sinus congestion
• Flu-like symptoms or infection
• Weakness or lack of energy
• Back pain, chest pain
• Diarrhea, nausea
• Drowsiness or trouble sleeping
• Tooth problems
• Abnormal ejaculation, including reduced or absent semen
• Reduced interest in sex
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Skin sensitivity to light

Serious

• Signs of allergic reaction: hives, itching, rash, swelling of face, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing
• Severe skin reactions with blistering and peeling (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
• Lightheaded feeling, like you might pass out (fainting)
• Painful erection that will not go away and is not related to sexual activity (priapism)
• Palpitations
• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing)

Warnings and precautions

• Tamsulosin can lower your blood pressure when you stand up, causing dizziness or fainting, especially when starting the medicine, changing doses, or restarting after a break. Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
• In rare cases, tamsulosin can cause priapism, a painful erection lasting a long time that is not related to sexual activity. This needs immediate medical attention because without prompt treatment it can cause permanent erectile dysfunction.
• An enlarged prostate and prostate cancer can occur together, so ask your doctor about prostate cancer screening before starting tamsulosin and at regular intervals afterward.
• Tamsulosin can cause a problem called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract or glaucoma surgery. Tell your eye surgeon that you take or have taken tamsulosin, even if you stopped months ago. Do not stop taking it before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to. Starting tamsulosin is not recommended if you are already scheduled for cataract or glaucoma surgery.
• Do not take tamsulosin with other alpha blockers, as this may cause an unwanted drop in blood pressure. Do not take tamsulosin with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor such as ketoconazole, since this raises tamsulosin levels in the blood.
• If you stop taking tamsulosin for several days, talk to your doctor before starting again; you will need to restart at the lower dose.
• Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women, including during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting tamsulosin. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, especially severe liver disease, before starting tamsulosin.
• Tamsulosin can make you dizzy or lightheaded, especially when starting treatment or changing doses. Avoid driving or doing anything that requires alertness until you know how the medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat (not in the bathroom)
• Keep the medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach and sight of children
• Always lock safety caps and place the medication in a location out of children's sight and reach
• Dispose of unneeded medication through a medicine take-back program; do not flush it down the toilet

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, rash, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.

Stop taking tamsulosin and call your doctor right away if you feel like you might pass out, or if you have a painful erection that will not go away and is not related to sexual activity.

If you think you have taken too much tamsulosin, get emergency medical help right away.

If you experience symptoms of a severe skin reaction, such as redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, or these symptoms in the mouth, eyes, or genitals along with fever, seek medical help.

Alternatives

• Alfuzosin
• Terazosin
• Dutasteride