tamsulosin
Tamsulosin (Flomax) is a commonly prescribed oral medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. For it to work properly, you have to take it 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Also, since tamsulosin (Flomax) has a lot of interactions, you'll need to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start any new medications.
What is Tamsulosin (Flomax)?
What is Tamsulosin (Flomax) used for?
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
How Tamsulosin (Flomax) works
Tamsulosin (Flomax) is an alpha-1 blocker. It blocks a specific type of receptor found in the prostate. By blocking these receptors, the medication works by relaxing the muscles in your prostate and bladder, which relieves symptoms of BPH by making it easier to urinate.
Drug Facts
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the side effects of Tamsulosin (Flomax)?
Common Side Effects
- Headache (19-21%)
- Dizziness (15-17%)
- Stuffy nose (13-18%)
- Abnormal ejaculation (8-18%)
Other Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Trouble sleeping
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Lower sex drive
Serious Side Effects
- Serious allergic reactions: rash, hives, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
Source: DailyMed
More on Tamsulosin (Flomax) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Rare
Dizziness or lightheadedness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
painful or prolonged erection of the penis
sensation of spinning
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blurred vision
confusion
difficult or labored breathing
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
sweating
tightness of the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Abnormal ejaculation
back pain
body aches or pain
congestion
headache
lack or loss of strength
stuffy or runny nose
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble swallowing
voice changes
Less common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
decreased sexual drive or performance
drowsiness
inability to have or keep an erection
increased cough
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
tooth disorder
trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Pros
Considered a first-choice treatment option for BPH
Oral medication that you only have to take once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic
Less likely to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, compared to similar medications
Cons
Only treats the symptoms of an enlarged prostate rather than affect the growth of the prostate
Needs to be taken at the same time every day 30 minutes after a meal
Can have negative side effects on your sexual health
Though rare, maybe not the best option for people with a sulfa allergy
Pharmacist tips for Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Take tamsulosin (Flomax) 30 minutes after the same meal every day. This will help your body absorb the proper amount of medication.
Swallow tamsulosin (Flomax) capsules whole. Don't crush, chew, or open tamsulosin (Flomax) capsules because it will affect how the medication works.
If you accidentally miss your dose of tamsulosin (Flomax), take it as soon as you remember that day. If it's been a whole day, just take your next dose on your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time.
If for some reason you stop taking tamsulosin (Flomax) for several days in a row, talk with your provider before you start taking it again since your dose might be different.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) can cause dizziness and low blood pressure, especially when you get up too quickly. Slowly move from a lying down position to a sitting position, and then stand up slowly to allow your body to adjust to possible changes in blood pressure.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) interacts with a lot of commonly used medications. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting tamsulosin (Flomax) to make sure it's safe.
Frequently asked questions about Tamsulosin (Flomax)
How to save using GoodRx
What are the risks and warnings for Tamsulosin (Flomax)?
Tamsulosin (Flomax) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing
Risk factors: Moving too quickly from sitting down to standing up | Not enough fluid in your body (dehydration) | Taking other medications that lower blood pressure | Heart failure | Drinking alcohol
When you first start to take tamsulosin (Flomax) or when your dose is raised, you can experience a sudden drop in blood pressure when you get up from a sitting or lying down position. This is called orthostatic hypotension. Always make sure to move slowly from a lying down position to a sitting position, and then stand up slowly to allow your body to adjust to possible changes in blood pressure. Symptoms include feeling lightheaded or dizzy after standing up, blurry vision, fainting, nausea, and confusion. Your body should adjust to the medication after the first few days, but if you continue to have these symptoms tell your healthcare provider. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.
Prolonged and painful erection
Although rare, tamsulosin (Flomax) can cause prolonged and painful erections, which sometimes requires surgery to treat. If you develop a prolonged erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, stop taking tamsulosin (Flomax) and get medical attention right away.
Eye problems
Risk factors: Planned cataract or glaucoma surgery
Tamsulosin (Flomax) can cause an eye problem called floppy iris syndrome (FIS), which can happen during cataract or glaucoma surgery. FIS can raise your risk of having eye problems during and after cataract surgery and it can occur even if you've stopped taking tamsulosin (Flomax). Let your eye provider know if you're taking tamsulosin (Flomax) because they might have you stop the medication or change their surgical technique to lower your risk for FIS.
Severe allergic reactions
Risk factors: Sulfa allergy
Some people have experienced a severe allergic reaction to tamsulosin (Flomax), especially those allergic to sulfa. These reactions can be life-threatening and include facial swelling, hives, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice dizziness, fast heartbeat, a choking sensation, difficulty breathing, swelling around your eyes, swelling of the lips or tongue, or any signs of a severe skin reaction after taking tamsulosin (Flomax), get medical attention right away.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4mg | 30 capsules | $4.80 | $0.16 |
Typical dosing for Tamsulosin (Flomax)
The typical starting dose is 0.4 mg by mouth once a day, 30 minutes after the same meal each day. The maximum daily dose is 0.8 mg once a day.
More on Tamsulosin (Flomax) dosage forms
Tamsulosin (Flomax) Reviews
GoodRx has partnered with PatientsLikeMe to provide reviews on the different aspects of Tamsulosin (Flomax).
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Tamsulosin (Flomax) based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 75 people taking this medication
2.6
Effectiveness by condition:
benign prostatic hyperplasia62 reviews
3.0
kidney stone7 reviews
2.7
multiple sclerosis2 reviews
1.9
prostatitis2 reviews
1.9
urinary incontinence2 reviews
3.8
Severity of side effects
Based on 187 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Lightheadedness
4%
Ejaculation dysfunction
2%
Dizziness
2%
Dizziness with hypotension upon standing
2%
Ejaculation delayed
2%
Reasons people stopped taking Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Based on 120 people who have taken this medication
Course of treatment ended
26%
Did not seem to work
22%
Doctor's advice
22%
Other
15%
Side effects too severe
11%
Expense
3%
Personal research
2%
Change in health plan coverage
1%
How long people take Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Based on 402 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Interactions between Tamsulosin (Flomax) and other drugs
More on Tamsulosin (Flomax) interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Boceprevir
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfuzosin
- Bunazosin
- Ceritinib
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Dapiprazole
- Doxazosin
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lopinavir
- Moxisylyte
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Paroxetine
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentolamine
- Posaconazole
- Prazosin
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Silodosin
- Tadalafil
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Terazosin
- Tolazoline
- Trimazosin
- Urapidil
- Voriconazole
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acebutolol
- Alprenolol
- Atenolol
- Avanafil
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bucindolol
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Cimetidine
- Dilevalol
- Esmolol
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Mepindolol
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Pindolol
- Propranolol
- Sildenafil
- Sotalol
- Talinolol
- Tertatolol
- Timolol
- Vardenafil
How much does Tamsulosin (Flomax) cost?
What are alternatives to Tamsulosin (Flomax)?
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
Signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
High blood pressure - immediate-release tablet only
What is the latest news about Tamsulosin (Flomax)?
Tamsulosin (Flomax) images
Get savings updates for Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Tamsulosin (Flomax) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
References
Best studies we foundAscend Laboratories, LLC. (2022). TAMSULOSIN HYDROCHLORIDE capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.
Chapple, C. R. (2005). A comparison of varying α-blockers and other pharmacotherapy options for lower urinary tract symptoms. Reviews in Urology.
Flach, A. J. (2009). Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome: Pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment. Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society.
Höfner, K., et al. (1999). Tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily: Effect on sexual function in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. European Urology.
Kaplan, S. A. (2009). Side effects of α-blocker use: Retrograde ejaculation. Reviews in Urology.
Lerner, L. B., et al. (2021). Management of lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Journal of Urology.
MedlinePlus. (2019). Orthostatic hypotension.
Paśko, P., et al. (2016). Interactions between medications employed in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and food − A short review. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.
Schwinn, D. A., et al. (2009). α1-adrenoceptor subtypes and lower urinary tract symptoms. International Journal of Urology: Official Journal of the Japanese Urological Association.
Zhang, H. L., et al. (2017). Tamsulosin for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Impotence Research.
Compare other Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia drugs
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.