Tamsulosin

Tamsulosin (Flomax) is a drug that is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It works by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder. Keep in mind, however, that this drug is not a cure for an enlarged prostate and it cannot shrink the prostate. Tamsulosin comes in the form of a capsule that should be taken at the same time each day. There are some potential side effects of this drug, including abnormal ejaculation, a runny or stuffy nose, and dizziness.

 

What Is Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin hydrochloride (Flomax®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed as treatment for an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is also known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH.
 
(Click Tamsulosin Uses for more information on tamsulosin uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
 

How Does Tamsulosin Work?

Tamsulosin is part of a class of drugs known as alpha blockers. Tamsulosin works by blocking alpha-1 receptors. Alpha-1 receptors are found in several places of the body, including the prostate gland.
 
For the treatment of BPH, blocking alpha-1 receptors helps to relax the muscles of the prostate and the bladder neck (where urine leaves the bladder). Tamsulosin does not shrink the prostate, as some other BPH medications do. However, by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder, tamsulosin helps to quickly relieve BPH symptoms. While tamsulosin can help with symptoms, it is not a cure for BPH.
 

Tamsulosin Effects

There have been several studies looking at how well tamsulosin treats enlarged prostate symptoms:
(Tamsulosin Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;