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tamsulosin, Flomax

GENERIC NAME: tamsulosin

BRAND NAME: Flomax

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tamsulosin is a drug for the treatment of men who are having difficulty urinating because of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In men, the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the penis (called the urethra) travels through the prostate gland. As men get older, the prostate gland enlarges, and the muscle cells within the prostate gland and the neck of the bladder (which control the flow of urine) tighten. The combination of enlargement and tightening of muscles compresses the urethra and obstructs the flow of urine. This results in difficulty urinating and retention of urine within the bladder. The tightening or contraction of the muscle cells is controlled by nerves. One type of nerve, the alpha adrenergic nerves, cause the muscle cells to tighten by releasing a chemical related to epinephrine (adrenalin). Tamsulosin blocks the effects of this chemical on the muscle cells and causes the muscles to relax. This results in a decrease in obstruction to the flow of urine.

There are other drugs which block alpha adrenergic nerves throughout the body and which are used in treating diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and prostate for example, prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), and alfuzosin (Uroxatral). Tamsulosin is more active against the alpha adrenergic nerves of the prostate and bladder neck than these other drugs and has a lesser effect on alpha adrenergic nerves elsewhere in the body. For this reason, tamsulosin causes fewer side effects, especially low blood pressure, than other alpha adrenergic blocking drugs. Moreover, tamsulosin therapy can be started at the optimum dose whereas other alpha adrenergic blocking drugs need to be started at low doses with the doses slowly increased over time in order to minimize the side effects. Tamsulosin was approved by the FDA in 1997.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 0.4mg.

STORAGE: Capsules should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Tamsulosin is used to treat men who are having problems urinating because of BPH.

DOSING: Tamsulosin should be taken once daily after a meal. When taken on an empty stomach, more of the medication is absorbed. This could cause a greater effect and potentially a drop in blood pressure.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There have been no drug interactions described with tamsulosin. No important interactions were noted when tamsulosin was used with atenolol (Tenormin), enalapril (Vasotec), and nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).

PREGNANCY: This medication is used only in men. However, animal studies have not demonstrated any risk to the fetus. There are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

NURSING MOTHERS: This medication is used only in men. It is not known if tamsulosin is secreted into breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: Tamsulosin is generally well tolerated. Occasionally, tamsulosin can cause a drop in blood pressure, rarely resulting in dizziness or fainting. Other reported side effects include headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, and palpitations.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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