Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: TAMSULOSIN (tam-SOO-loe-sin)
This medicine is an alpha blocker used to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking other alpha-blockers (such as prazosin, terazosin). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), anticoagulants (such as warfarin), cimetidine, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (such as sildenafil or vardenafil), or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such a fluoxetine). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of high blood pressure, prostate cancer, or allergies. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. An additional patient information leaflet is available with this medicine. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, chew, or open before swallowing. TAKE THIS MEDICINE 30 minutes after the same meal every day. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. Do NOT take 2 doses at once. If you miss more than 2 doses in a row of this medicine, contact your doctor for instructions.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to a sulfa drug or sulfonamide medicine (such as sulfasalazine or sulfamethoxazole), contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a sulfa drug or sulfonamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE REGULAR CHECK-UPS with your doctor while you are using this medicine. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY (including eye surgery), tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or blurred vision. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. ALCOHOL, HOT WEATHER, EXERCISE, AND FEVER can increase dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. To prevent dizziness or fainting, sit up or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness or weakness. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS for 12 hours after your first dose of this medicine or after your doctor tells you to increase your dose. THIS MEDICINE MAY RARELY CAUSE A PROLONGED, PAINFUL ERECTION. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. IT IS UNKNOWN if this medicine may cause harm to the human fetus. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. This medicine is not approved for use in women.
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, decreased sexual ability, weakness, back pain, or increased cough. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience symptoms of infection (such as fever, chills, headache, sore throat). CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fainting, a prolonged painful erection, or severe or persistent dizziness. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe headache; severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; or fainting.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.