How to Use

To ensure the safe use of Tamsulosin, let your doctor know if you have a history of or suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Low blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Allergic to sulfa drugs

You should take Tamsulosin with a prescription. Follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully and never take smaller or larger amounts than recommended. You should also not take the medicine for durations longer or shorter than recommended. 

The dose is normally taken once a day. Take the medicine 30 minutes after a meal. Taking the medicine at the same time each day will guarantee better results with no risk of under- or overdosing.

The initial dose is usually 0.4mg a day. The maximum dose per day is 0.8mg. Your doctor may adjust the dose from time to time to achieve the best results.

During treatment, the doctor will check your blood pressure regularly. You will also be checked for prostate cancer before and during treatment.

FDA Pregnancy Classification

Tamsulosin is not indicated for use in women or persons under the age of 18. Even so, this drug is not expected to cause any harm to an unborn or breastfeeding baby. 

Storage

Store at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

Side Effects

Serious

• Painful penis erection that goes on for 4 hours or more
• Severe light headedness
• Severe skin reaction: sore throat, fever, swelling of the face or tongue, skin pain, burning in the eyes and skin rash that cause peeling or blistering

Common

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, weakness, drowsiness
• Back pain
• Tooth problems
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Decreased libido
• Insomnia
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Chills, fever, flu symptoms
• Abnormal ejaculation

Safety

Tamsulosin lowers blood pressure and can cause dizziness. This is common when you first start using the drug. Let your doctor know if you experience severe dizziness. You should also let your doctor know if you have a prolonged illness that cause vomiting or diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause the blood pressure to get low.

To avoid serious interactions, let your doctor know of the medications you are on. The drug has serious interactions with medicines like doxazosin, silodosin, terazosin and alfuzosin.

You need to be careful when driving or handling tasks that require alertness. Avoid standing for long or becoming dehydrated or overheated. You should also get up slowly after being in a lying or sitting position for long. This will help prevent extreme dizziness.

Let your doctor know if you stop using Tamsulosin for any reason. Your doctor should also be involved when you start using the medication again. A dose adjustment may be required.

Tamsulosin can affect the size of the pupils during cataract surgery. Let your surgeon know in good time that you are using this drug. Don’t stop using the medicine unless the surgeon or your doctor asks you to.

Interactions

Tamsulosin interacts with 415 drugs.