Tamrun

Tamsulosin is commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition where the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. When the prostate gets larger than usual, it pinches the urethra. This may lead to problems with your bladder muscles and urination (peeing).

Tamsulosin is used to help reduce the following symptoms of BPH.

Frequent need to pee
Urgent need to pee
Waking up overnight to pee
Trouble getting your flow of urine to start or stop
Urine stream that is weak, dribbles, or pauses
Feeling like your bladder is not empty after you pee

Tamsulosin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

Mechanism Of Action

Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker. It works to relax the smooth muscles in your prostate and bladder. This makes it easier to pee and improves the flow of urine.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Tamsulosin?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if tamsulosin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Planned Eye Surgery: Taking tamsulosin may raise the risk of eye problems during or after cataract or glaucoma surgery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are planning to have eye surgery. They may recommend that you wait until after the surgery is over to start tamsulosin.
Severe Kidney Problems: Tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems now or in the past. It is not known if tamsulosin is safe to take if you have severe kidney problems. Your healthcare provider may not recommend tamsulosin if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be.
Severe Liver Problems: Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver problems now or in the past. They may not prescribe tamsulosin if your liver is not working as well as it should be. It is not known if tamsulosin is safe to take if you have severe liver problems.
Low Blood Pressure: Taking tamsulosin may cause brief episodes of low blood pressure, which may result in dizziness or fainting. If you already have low blood pressure, this side effect may be more severe or more likely to occur. Tell your healthcare provider if you have problems with low blood pressure. They can determine if tamsulosin is safe for you to take.
Other Medicines and Supplements: Tamsulosin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking tamsulosin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Sulfa Allergy: While rare, some people that have a sulfa allergy may also be allergic to tamsulosin. A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa, or sulfonamide, medicines. Examples of sulfa medicines include sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine silver, or sulfasalazine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any allergies to medicines. They can help you decide if it is safe for you to take tamsulosin.
Pregnancy: It is not known if or how tamsulosin could affect pregnancy or an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding: It is not known if tamsulosin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does Tamsulosin interact with foods or drinks?

Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting or avoiding grapefruit while taking tamsulosin. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can increase your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may raise the blood levels of tamsulosin.

You should take tamsulosin about 30 minutes after the same meal each day. For example, you can take tamsulosin about 30 minutes after you eat breakfast each day.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tamsulosin. The risk of side effects, such as dizziness and low blood pressure, may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking tamsulosin.