What is the most important information I should know about tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You may feel dizzy
when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Avoid standing up too quickly to keep from
falling.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase dizziness caused by tamsulosin.
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. You may also
be allergic to tamsulosin.
Tamsulosin can affect the pupils of your eyes during cataract surgery. If you have cataract
surgery during your treatment with tamsulosin, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using
this medication. Do not stop using tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Stop using tamsulosin and call your doctor at once if you feel like you might
pass
out, or if you have an erection of your penis that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours.
What is tamsulosin?
Tamsulosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers.
Tamsulosin relaxes your veins and arteries so that blood can more easily pass through them. It
also relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Tamsulosin is used to improve urination in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia
(enlarged prostate).
Tamsulosin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tamsulosin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tamsulosin, or if you are also taking
any other alpha adrenergic blockers such as
alfusozin (Uroxatral),
doxazosin (Cardura),
prazosin
(Minipress), or
Terazosin (Hytrin).
Before taking tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
prostate cancer.
If you will be having cataract surgery, tell the surgeon that you are taking tamsulosin.
FDA pregnancy category B. Tamsulosin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby.
Tamsulosin is not for use in children.
Print
Email
Save
Media Gallery
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
