%1$s
Tamsulosin - Uses - Dosages - Side Effects - Precautions

Tamsulosin: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin belongs to the class of alpha-blockers and is used to treat men with enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is a common condition as men get older. This condition initiates problems like uncomfortable or blockage in urinary flow, painful urination, or weak flow. This medicine works to relax the prostate and bladder muscles ensuring the easy flow of urine. Tamsulosin is also used to treat urethral stones, prostatitis and improve urination. The dose of Tamsulosin strictly needs to be followed according to the prescription and expert medical opinion.

What are the uses of Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin works to relax muscles enabling normal urine flow and relieves from other issues associated with it. Women and children should not take Tamsulosin. Breastfeeding and pregnant women are at a higher risk as it is not an FDA approved drug for women and children, but it helps with issues in men, as noted below:

  • Men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia.
  • Regularize normal flow of urine.
  • Improves urination.
  • Treat ureteral stones by facilitating stone expulsion.
  • Used for hepatic and renal impairment.
Book Doctor Appointment
Book Online Doctor Appointment
Search Specialty Doctor
Health Packages

What are the side effects of Tamsulosin?

You should strictly follow the dosages and precautions per the doctor’s instruction. Tamsulosin has the following side effects:

  • Sleepiness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Drowsiness while standing.
  • Headache.
  • Abnormal ejaculation.
  • Joint pain.
  • Weakness.
  • Nausea.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Rare cases have reported shortness of breath and arrhythmia.
S.no Product Name Dosage Form
1. Veltam Tamsulosin 0.4mg Tablet
2. Urimax Tamsulosin 400mcg Capsule
3. Contiflo Icon Tamsulosin 0.4mg Tablet
4. Uripro Tamsulosin 0.4mg Capsule
5. Flodart Tamsulosin 0.4mg Tablet

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Tamsulosin

1. Why is Tamsulosin taken at night?

Tamsulosin belongs to the class of alpha-blockers to treat BPH, prostatic hyperplasia, painful urination, and ureteral stones. This medication lowers blood pressure, which might lead to conditions like sleepiness, weakness, and dizziness. Taking Tamsulosin at bedtime, especially in the initial days, minimizes the risk of fainting due to low blood pressure.

2. How long should I take Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin actively interacts with other drugs. That’s why the dosage, time, and precautions prescribed by the doctor should be strictly followed, as dosages and time change according to BPH condition and the patient’s medical history. However, Tamsulosin is well-tolerated and reliable for long-term treatments. This drug can be prescribed for 6-months to 4-years, depending on your medical condition. It has shown improved efficacy and lowers urinary tract infection and BPH.

3. How to stop taking Tamsulosin safely?

Consult our expert medical professionals at Yashoda Hospitals if you want to stop taking Tamsulosin. Suppose you are recovering from BPH, want to change the medicine, or plan to undergo surgery, especially dental or eye surgery. In that case, it is strongly recommended to discuss the matter with your doctor. However, Tamsulosin will take 2-3 days to get out of your body completely.

4. What drugs should not be taken with Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin interacts with many drugs, which leads to an increase and decrease in levels of Tamsulosin, resulting in blocking the drug action to treat prostate enlargement. Following are the drugs, which actively participate in drug interaction:

  • Acid blocking medications like cimetidine.
  • Antibiotics like erythromycin.
  • Antidepressants like paroxetine.
  • Antifungal drugs like ketoconazole.
  • Erectile dysfunction drugs like tadalafil.
  • Other alpha-blockers.
  • Tamsulosin in cataract surgery can lead to ‘floppy iris syndrome’.

5. How does Tamsulosin work?

Tamsulosin is a selective alpha-receptor antagonist which treats enlarged prostate, urethra, and bladder by blocking alpha receptors. This leads to relaxation of muscle tissues resulting in decreased resistance to urinary flow and reduced discomfort due to BPH facilitating passage for kidney stones.

6. Can I take Tamsulosin after urolift?

Urolift involves a procedure that implants life and holds enlarged prostate tissue so that urethra is no longer blocked. Patients on medication mostly get off it after Urolift’s course, but it is strongly advised to consult our medical experts to discuss further treatment and dose.

7. Does Tamsulosin lower blood pressure?

Tamsulosin lowers blood pressure and can cause dizziness and drowsiness. It is recommended not to drive or do any activity which requires alertness if you are on Tamsulosin medication. Check your blood pressure from time to time and consult your doctor to keep track of progress.

8. Can Tamsulosin be used for erectile dysfunction?

Tamsulosin is used to treat symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia and shows significant improvement in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Although no adverse impacts are reported, it is advised to consult our experts for medical conditions and doses.

9. Is Tamsulosin a diuretic?

It is a selective alpha-blocker and treats to relax smooth muscles to facilitate urination in BPH conditions and opens the passage for kidney stones to be expelled. It makes it easier to urinate, but as such, no effects of Tamsulosin being a diuretic were noticed.

10. Does Tamsulosin cause constipation?

Tamsulosin can cause diarrhoea and constipation in different cases sometimes, depending upon the drug’s interaction. Kindly consult our medical experts for further treatment or symptoms.

11. Does Tamsulosin make you pee more?

Tamsulosin has an alpha antagonist property; it provides ease of urination by relaxing muscle movement. It might lead to frequent urination but only increases the flow of urination to relieve BPH, kidney stones, and painful urination.

Get Free Second Opinion

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.