Generic Tamsulosin

There is currently one generic version of tamsulosin available. This product comes in one strength (just like the brand-name product) and is made by Global Pharmaceuticals (a division of Impax Laboratories). The FDA has given it an "AB" rating, which means it is considered to be equivalent to the brand-name drug.

Tamsulosin Hydrochloride

Generic for Tamsulosin: An Overview

Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Flomax^®) is a prescription medication that has been licensed as a treatment for an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. Tamsulosin is part of a class of drugs known as alpha blockers.

Brand-name tamsulosin (sold under the name Flomax) is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic tamsulosin is also available.

Strengths of Generic Tamsulosin

Like brand-name Flomax, the generic version comes in one strength -- tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules.

Who Makes Generic Tamsulosin?

Generic Flomax is made by various manufacturers, such as:

Actavis
Global Pharmaceuticals
Mylan Pharmaceuticals
Sandoz
Teva Pharmaceuticals
UDL Laboratories.

Is Generic Tamsulosin as Good as Flomax?

All generic medications must undergo tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. Generic tamsulosin capsules have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Flomax.

However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.