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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT
Flomax® (tamsulosin
HCI) Capsules
WHAT IS FLOMAX USED FOR?
Flomax is used for the treatment
of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). Flomax is not used for the treatment of hypertension.
HOW DOES FLOMAX HELP TREAT BPH?
Flomax is in a class of medicines
called alpha1a-adrenergic
antagonists. Flomax capsules relax the smooth muscles in
the prostate and the opening of the bladder at the site
of obstruction, resulting in improved urine flow and reduced
BPH symptoms. Flomax however will not shrink the prostate.
The prostate may continue to get larger. This may cause
the symptoms to become worse over time. Therefore, even
though Flomax may lessen the problems caused by enlarged
prostate now, surgery may still be needed in the future.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE FLOMAX?
The recommended dose of Flomax for
treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH is 0.4 mg once
daily. The dose should be taken one-half hour after the
same meal each day. For example, if you take Flomax with
your evening meal, it should be taken every day 30 minutes
after you finish your evening meal. Try to keep your meal
times consistent.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF FLOMAX?
Flomax is generally well tolerated.
Compared to placebo, the most common side effects in short-term
trials are: asthenia, abnormal ejaculation, infection, dizziness,
and rhinitis.
Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden drop in blood pressure
that can occur with the first dose of Flomax or when changing
doses of Flomax. Such a drop in blood pressure, although
rare, may be associated with fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
You should get up slowly from a chair or bed, until you
know how you will react to Flomax.
Although these symptoms are uncommon, you should not drive
or do any hazardous tasks until you are used to the side
effects of Flomax for at least 12 hours after the first
dose of Flomax. One way to avoid this may be to take your
first dose in the evening when you are not planning on leaving
the house. After the first dose or two, you will know how
Flomax affects you.
If you begin to feel dizzy, sit down until you feel better.
If you stop your treatment or forget to take it for several
days or more, restart Flomax only after talking with your
doctor. If you experience any other side effect, such as
prolonged, painful erection of the penis, which is unrelieved
by sexual intercourse or masturbation, please contact our
doctor immediately.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE FLOMAX?
Flomax should not be taken by anyone
who has a known allergy to tamsulosin HCl or any component
of Flomax capsules.
CAN I TAKE FLOMAX WITH MY OTHER MEDICINES?
When taking any new medicine,
it is important to tell your doctor all the medicines you
are currently on to make sure there are no harmful interactions
between them. When you are taking Flomax, it is especially
important that your doctor know if you are taking any of
the following:
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Blood pressure medicine
- the effects of blood pressure medicines may increase
when taken with Flomax .The chance of orthostatic hypotension
may increase as well. |
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Coumadin® (warfarin) and Flomax
should be used together with caution. |
WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?
If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double
doses.
References:
| 1.
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Flomax®
package insert. Ridgefield, CT: Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharmacetuicals, Inc.; 2002 Aug. |
| 2. |
Lee M.
Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. In: Pharmacotherapy;
A pathophysiologic approach. 5th ed. Dipiro JT, Talbert
RL, Yee GC, et al., eds. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2002:1533-42. |
Coumadin is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company.
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