Tamsulosin has been prescribed in excess of 21 million times in the United States, making it the most commonly prescribed alpha-blocker for symptoms of the lower urinary tract (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
It is possible for patients dealing with an enlarged prostate to use this treatment alone or in combination with other medications to help control their symptoms.
However, as with all drugs, tamsulosin can lead to unwanted effects.
This prostate medication may produce certain effects that could interfere with your sexual activities.
Below is an in-depth look at the potential adverse effects of Flomax.
What is Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Flomax pills, also referred to as Tamsulosin, are inhibitors of the alpha-adrenergic receptors. Flomax aids in relieving tension in the bladder, neck, and muscles of the prostate, thus allowing patients to void their bladder.
A doctor may advise a patient who suffers from mild to moderate urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate to take Flomax. This prostate medication can be taken in dosages ranging from 0.4 mg to 0.8 mg daily.
When to Take Flomax
You should take Tamsulosin 0.4 mg each day, approximately thirty minutes after a meal that you have had, and always at the same time, for example, after dinner.
If a patient does not show signs of improvement after 2 to 3 weeks of taking Tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules, physicians can recommend doubling the dose amount to 0.8 mg.
Is Flomax for BPH Approved by the FDA?
Yes. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Tamsulosin for treating the indications of an enlarged prostate.
What is Flomax Used For?
Flomax is utilized to help with signs of difficulty in urinating resulting from BPH. It is common to use Flomax to assist patients in re-establishing regular urination, permitting them to completely empty their bladder.
So how does Flomax work? Flomax can be beneficial for men that experience issues with continuous leakage while urinating or have difficulty initiating urination.
Flomax can be beneficial for individuals who find it difficult to urinate with force and for those who must frequently wake to use the restroom in the night. Tamsulosin will not shrink the size of the prostate. Instead, it relaxes the bladder and prostate muscles.
Flomax is able to not only relax the urethra to reduce bladder outlet obstruction but it can also assist in passing kidney stones. It has a calming effect on the smooth muscles in parts of the urinary system, like the opening of the bladder and the pathway of urine. Thus, it can be a good method for encouraging an automatic passing of kidney stones.
Why Choose Flomax To Treat Your Urinary Symptoms?
Doctors may present patients that exhibit indicators commonly related to benign prostatic hyperplasia with several different medications.
Every drug operates in its own fashion to help lessen the intensity of signs the patient has.
Certain medications may have more adverse reactions than others, therefore certain physicians opt for certain drugs for those with an enlarged prostate.
How Should I Take Flomax?
A physician will give the patient comprehensive directions on how to properly take Flomax. He must adhere strictly to the instructions given. The effectiveness of the medication is enhanced by this, as well as the probability of developing adverse reactions being decreased.
The medication should typically be taken 30 minutes after the individual has eaten. The drug is only taken once each day. It is imperative that the medication is consumed at the same hour each day.
- Initial dose: 0.4 mg orally once a day.
- Maximum dose: 0.8 mg orally once a day.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Flomax?
It is not only essential to determine if a drug like tamsulosin is effective, but other factors must also be taken into account when a patient is deciding which treatment fits their needs best.
It is essential for the person to contemplate any possible adverse reactions that may occur while they are taking the medication.
Flomax has quite a few adverse reactions. It is of great importance that male patients monitor their doctor’s prescribed dosages, which is a worrying issue.
Following the doctor’s instructions for the use of the medication could potentially lower the chances of side-effects. A physician will also be able to examine a patient and determine whether the potential for negative reactions is too high.
What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Flomax?
Certain negative consequences associated with Flomax are more prevalent than other ones.
It should be taken into account that individuals who take this medication can have either minor or more severe reactions. People taking Flomax regularly should be conscious of possible adverse reactions.
Some of the most common side-effects that men may experience when they take Flomax (tamsulosin) include:
- The development of back pain
- Problems with their teeth
- Fevers
- Body aches
- Symptoms generally associated with the flu
- Chills
- A runny nose
- A stuffy nose
- Sinus pain
- Coughing
- A sore throat
- Insomnia and other related sleeping problems
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Risk of Hypotension
Does Flomax Have Any Sexual Side Effects?
Some potential reactions could adversely affect a person’s capacity during sexual activity. Men must be aware of the possible results when consuming these medications if they are still engaging in sexual activity.
Some of the side effects of Flomax sexually that a male patient may experience while taking this medicine include:
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Failure to ejaculate
- Decreased ease of ejaculation
- Retrograde ejaculation (release of semen into the bladder instead of out of the body)
The side effects of this can cause a person to be far less enthusiastic about engaging in sexual activity. The decreased semen volume could lead to difficulties with fertility for the individual affected.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Flomax?
Some drugs may interact with Flomax. A medical professional will require a full catalog of both non-prescription and prescribed drugs that a individual is using. This will aid the doctor in establishing if any conflicts could arise.
The most important interaction is with blood pressure medication. It is recommended not to use Flomax together with drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
It is advised that Flomax capsules should not be taken at the same time as any other alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Other drugs that may also interact with Flomax include:
- Cialis
- Doxazosin
- Furosemide
- Lasix
- Lorazepam
- Myrbetriq
- Oxycodone
- Sildenafil
- Vicodin
What Should Patients Taking Flomax Look Out For?
Allergic reaction
There is a slight chance one may have an allergic response. This can sometimes be dangerous. If no action is taken, the allergic reaction can occasionally cause a life-threatening issue.
Indications of an allergy are typically manifested as skin hives and difficulty in breathing. The patient may also experience swelling in their throat and tongue. It looks like the patient might have a skin eruption forming. Itching can also occur.
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome
Another significant complication to consider. This only applies to individuals who have already undergone surgery for cataracts or glaucoma. This is also a rare complication. It should still be noted by concerned patients.
IFIS is a particular occurrence of small pupil syndrome which manifests as a limp iris that sways when intraoperative irrigation is given despite the prior use of mydriatic drugs.
Priapism
A condition affecting a man’s erectile function. This happens when a male has an abnormally long-lasting erection. If an erection persists for more than four hours, the situation is known as priapism.
Medical attention should be sought out as soon as possible as failing to do so can lead to irreversible damage. When damage involves the tissue of the penis, it can lead to male impotence.
Flomax And Pregnancy
The FDA has not given its stamp of approval for the utilization of Flomax in females. Some physicians recommend the medication for females who have urinary complaints, however. Side-effects are similar in men and women.
Worry exists about utilizing Flomax during pregnancy in women. More research is required to gain a more precise understanding of this topic. Pregnant women are currently not advised to take Flomax.
Blood pressure
Flomax could possibly affect the blood pressure of the person taking it. Particular patients who take Flomax may experience a reduction in their blood pressure levels. It is not recommended to take this medication in combination with medication used to treat high blood pressure.
People with already low blood pressure need to exercise caution. Flomax could bring about a decrease in blood pressure levels. This can rarely lead to hypotension.
Stevens-johnson syndrome
Stevens-johnson syndrome is another seldom seen condition which can be fairly uncomfortable. The condition is considered serious too. It affects the mucous and skin membranes.
The condition typically begins with indications reminiscent of a cold or flu. The outcome of this will be a rash that could be a mix of red and blue with the possibility of blisters that occur together. The rash could spread to various parts of the person’s body. Other signs and symptoms may also develop.
Can Women Take Flomax?
Many patients wonder whether women can take Tamsulosin. Flomax is only authorized to be used as a treatment for BPH in males.
Research has discovered that a Tamsulosin pill might be an effective remedy for women unable to fully empty their bladders. So, Flomax for women can help pass kidney stones.
Does Flomax Help Erectile Dysfunction?
A controlled trial showed that Tamsulosin HCl capsules led to a measurable increase in libido, sexual satisfaction, and the ability to sustain an erection in those with LUTS caused by BPH.
But, Flomax is not a typical ejaculatory dysfunction drug. Flomax is a medication used to relieve symptoms associated with a prostate gland disorder.
Can Flomax Keep You from Ejaculating?
Men with BPH frequently have worries about experiencing Flomax-related ejaculatory dysfunction. In a study that was conducted over a lengthy period of time, it was determined that 30% of those who took 4 milligrams of Flomax every 24 hours experienced dysfunction of their ejaculation. Although Flomax may help with difficulty in urinating, it also has the potential to interfere with the typical ejaculatory routine.
Men who experience a negative reaction known as retrograde ejaculation can still ejaculate, although they may detect a decrease in the volume of liquid emitted. In contrast, others experience dry orgasms. The muscle stays lax, which is why it doesn’t shorten. So, the ejaculate ends up in the bladder.
Is Tamsulosin Like Viagra?
People want to know if tamsulosin is comparable to Viagra. Both Flomax and Viagra are drugs which are prescribed for helping with the indication of benign prostatic hyperplasia. But they are different classes of medication.
Tamsulosin is a medication that can be taken to help alleviate the problem of urinating difficulties. Viagra is a medication that works by suppressing the action of the enzyme PDE-5, thereby aiding in alleviating erectile dysfunction and improving one’s ability to achieve an erection.
What Are the Dangers of Taking Tamsulosin?
Consult with your physician to determine if the medication is having the desired effect. Patients may have a severe allergic reaction, resulting in puffiness in the throat, tongue, or face. They may struggle to breathe or manifest blistering on their dermis. Talk to a specialist if that happens.
Seek medical advice if your erection lasts for a long time after taking your dose. This is an uncommon consequence that necessitates swift medical attention. There are also possible medication interactions. This drug can have an interaction with other alpha-blockers drugs such as terazosin and prazosin.
If you are already taking any form of erectile dysfunction medication (such as Viagra or Cialis) or medications for pulmonary hypertension, your blood pressure could significantly drop. This is why patients feel dizzy or faint.
Can You Drink Alcohol with Flomax?
It should be OK to consume alcohol with Flomax. It is advisable to abstain from drinking alcohol for the initial couple of days. Drinking alcohol can amplify the reduction of blood pressure that Flomax causes, which can make the drinker feel unsteady, hazy, or giddy.
It is important to tell your physician if you have low blood pressure, an allergy to sulfa medication, a kidney disorder, a liver condition, or a heightened risk for prostate cancer in order to ensure that Tamsulosin is safe for you to use.
Natural Flomax (Tamsulosin) Alternatives
Several natural remedies may be used to assist with signs and issues relating to an enlarged prostate, while also boosting prostate health. They have very few negative effects and a lot of positive qualities. Many men have achieved success through using natural remedies, and there is scientific evidence to substantiate this.
The most popular natural Flomax alternatives include:
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto berry extract is a popular botanical medicine for treating urinary problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It seems to work just as well as finasteride, cost less, and is better received.
The distinction between Flomax and saw palmetto is that saw palmetto is an organic way to address prostate problems, whereas Flomax is not.
Beta-sitosterol
This is a component found in vegetables, fruits, and nuts that comes from plants. Beta-sitosterol found in herbal remedies can soothe the indications of BPH in people with a light to middle level of the condition.
Pygeum
Supplements or substances obtained from the bark of Prunus Africana trees may contain compounds effective in reducing prostate size in males with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Pygeum has the potential to help reduce the amount of urination required at night and regulate the flow of urine, making it a viable alternative to taking Flomax.
Stinging nettle
Stimulating nettle supplements serve as a practical alternative to Tamsulosin as they can be used to alleviate urination issues due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This can involve discomfort when suffering from a need to urinate, difficulty in finishing the act of urination, and a sense of frequent urination.
Foods for treating BPH
Eating the right kinds of food is extremely important for controlling the signs of an enlarged prostate. Foods such as broccoli, walnuts, salmon, blueberries, oranges, garlic, and onion can be beneficial for people who have prostate problems.
Conclusion
Beta-sitosterol stands out as the most successful and clinically backed natural cure for men enduring prostate difficulties. Research indicates that this treatment is beneficial for relieving the signs and symptoms of BPH, such as improving urinary flow and lessening pain from prostatitis.
Studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of beta-sitosterol as an alternative remedy for symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
One double-blind study examined over 500 men suffering BPH. The study revealed that beta-sitosterol significantly improved urinary signs, the amount of urine left in the bladder after urinating, and the speed of urine flow compared to the placebo group.
When selecting the most suitable prostate supplement, some elements should be taken into account, such as if the elements are organic, exist in clinically meaningful concentrations, and use ingredients that have been tested scientifically.
