Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker prescribed mainly for the urinary difficulties caused by an enlarged prostate gland. It relaxes the muscle around the bladder and prostate so that peeing becomes easier. Dizziness on standing is a known effect, and the NHS asks people to tell the doctor before cataract or glaucoma surgery.
- Generic name
- Tamsulosin
- Active ingredient
- Tamsulosin (variants: tamsulosin hydrochloride)
- Product type
- Small-molecule medicine
- Drug class
- Alpha blockers
- Brand names
- UK Flomaxtra XL, Faramsil, Tabphyn MR
- Routes
- Oral
- Dosage forms
- Capsule, Extended-release (modified-release) tablet
- Usual preparations
- Prolonged-release capsules and tablets. (summary of the cited reference, not a prescription)
- Onset and duration
- The NHS says tamsulosin works best when it is taken long term.
- Monitoring
- NICE guidance on lower urinary tract symptoms in men recommends reviewing men who take an alpha blocker after starting it and then at regular intervals.
Availability by country
| Country | Status | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Prescription only | UK |
Legal status differs between countries and can change; each row cites the document it was taken from and applies only to the country named.
What it is used for
- Difficulty peeing caused by an enlarged prostate gland
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia, which can cause trouble urinating, painful urination, or more frequent or urgent urination (MedlinePlus)
- Occasionally, helping kidney stones pass through the urinary tract
How it works in the body
Tamsulosin belongs to the group of medicines called alpha blockers. In an enlarged prostate it relaxes the muscle around the bladder and the prostate gland, which makes it easier to pee. The NHS says it is sometimes also used to ease the passing of kidney stones.
Common side effects
- The NHS says many people have no side effects or only minor ones, and that side effects often improve as the body gets used to the medicine.
- Dizziness, especially when sitting or standing, and ejaculation problems (such as less semen than usual or none) are the main common side effects.
- The NHS advises against driving, riding a bike or using machinery or tools until dizziness has gone, and says alcohol can intensify the dizziness.
Serious: seek help
- The NHS lists fainting as a serious side effect; for serious side effects other than anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome the NHS says to call NHS 111.
- A long-lasting, painful erection (priapism) is listed by the NHS as a serious side effect; the NHS priapism page says to call 999 or go to A&E if an erection lasts more than 3 to 4 hours, and the emc leaflet calls it very rare and says it needs immediate medical help.
- A serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can cause a swollen throat or tongue, an itchy raised rash or difficulty breathing; the NHS says to call 999 if anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome is suspected.
Cautions and interactions
- The NHS says most adults aged 18 and over can take tamsulosin, but it is not suitable for everyone, and children are not usually given it unless a specialist children's doctor prescribes it.
- People who have had an allergic reaction to tamsulosin or similar medicines such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin or terazosin may not be able to take it.
- The NHS also lists orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure that causes dizziness on standing), severe liver or kidney problems, and fainting while peeing or straight afterwards as reasons it may not be suitable.
- People having cataract or glaucoma surgery are asked to tell the doctor in advance that they take tamsulosin, because it can cause complications during the operation; the doctor may ask for it to be stopped beforehand.
- Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, in which the pupil dilates poorly and the iris becomes floppy during eye surgery, is described in emc patient leaflets.
- Other alpha blockers and other blood pressure medicines can lower blood pressure too much when taken with tamsulosin.
- The NHS advises against taking it with diclofenac, and says paracetamol, codeine and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are OK.
- The NHS suggests avoiding alcohol in the first few days, until it is clear how the medicine affects a person, because alcohol can increase the risk of side effects.
- The NHS says tamsulosin is not usually recommended in pregnancy because there is not enough information to know how it affects the baby; for breastfeeding the NHS advises talking to a doctor or pharmacist first.
Interactions
Check interactions
Taking Tamsulosin with other medicines? Add them to the checker to see what the official sources say about each pair: the mechanism, general management and monitoring, never a bare "safe".
Interactions documented in the official sources cited on each card. The list covers the medicines represented on this site and is not exhaustive; how the interaction data is compiled.
No pair records for this medicine are in the sources currently represented by Anatomy Nexus. Absence from this list does not mean no interaction exists.
Same-class and related medicines
Same class: Alpha blockers
Medicines that share the class of Tamsulosin. They are separate medicines with their own licences, doses and interactions, not alternative names for Tamsulosin.
Related medicines
Medicines often discussed alongside Tamsulosin: used together, compared with it, or acting on the same problem by a different route.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Alpha blocker |
| Main use | Difficulty peeing caused by an enlarged prostate |
| Common effects | Dizziness on standing and ejaculation problems |
| Eye surgery | Doctor told in advance before cataract or glaucoma surgery |
| Emergency route | 999 for anaphylaxis; NHS 111 for other serious side effects; 999 or A&E for an erection lasting more than 3 to 4 hours |
| Alcohol | Best avoided in the first few days |
What is tamsulosin used for?
The NHS describes tamsulosin as a medicine for an enlarged prostate. It is mainly prescribed for the difficulty peeing that an enlarged prostate gland causes. MedlinePlus says it is prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia, which can cause trouble urinating, painful urination, or more frequent or urgent urination.
The NHS says tamsulosin is sometimes also used to help kidney stones pass through the urinary tract, and MedlinePlus notes that doctors sometimes use it for kidney stones. NICE guidance on lower urinary tract symptoms in men lists alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin and terazosin as alpha blocker options for men with moderate to severe symptoms. UK products include prolonged-release capsules and tablets sold under several brand names.
How does tamsulosin work?
Tamsulosin is classed as an alpha blocker. In a man with an enlarged prostate, it relaxes the muscle around the bladder and prostate gland, which makes peeing easier. The NHS says it can also ease the passing of kidney stones in some cases.
The NHS says tamsulosin works best when taken long term. Stopping it suddenly can make the condition worse because symptoms may return, so the NHS says to talk to a doctor about stopping. The NHS also says alcohol can intensify the blood pressure-lowering effect of the medicine.
Other alpha blockers named by the NHS include alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin, indoramin and prazosin. The NHS also describes finasteride and dutasteride, which belong to a different group called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, and says some people take both types together.
Side effects
The NHS says many people have no side effects or only minor ones, and that side effects often improve as the body gets used to the medicine. The main common effects are dizziness, especially when sitting or standing, and ejaculation problems. The NHS advises against driving, riding a bike or using machinery until dizziness has gone, and says that producing less semen than usual, or none, is a harmless effect.
The NHS lists fainting, a long-lasting painful erection called priapism, and a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) as serious side effects. Anaphylaxis can cause a swollen throat or tongue, an itchy raised rash or difficulty breathing. The NHS says to call 999 if anaphylaxis or Stevens-Johnson syndrome is suspected, and to call NHS 111 for other serious side effects. For a painful erection, the NHS priapism page says to call 999 or go to A&E if it lasts more than 3 to 4 hours. The emc leaflet lists priapism as very rare and says it needs immediate medical help.
If side effects are bothersome, the NHS says the doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine.
Eye surgery and who needs extra care
The NHS says most adults aged 18 and over can take tamsulosin, though children are not usually given it unless a specialist children's doctor prescribes it. People who have had an allergic reaction to tamsulosin or similar medicines, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin or terazosin, may not be able to take it. The NHS also lists orthostatic hypotension, which is low blood pressure that causes dizziness on standing, severe liver or kidney problems, and a history of fainting while peeing or straight afterwards.
People having cataract or glaucoma surgery are also on the NHS list, because tamsulosin can cause complications during these operations. The emc leaflets describe intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, in which the pupil dilates poorly and the iris becomes floppy during surgery, and advise telling the eye surgeon about tamsulosin so that precautions can be taken. The NHS says to tell the doctor in advance, and that the doctor may ask for tamsulosin to be stopped beforehand.
The NHS says tamsulosin is not usually recommended in pregnancy because there is not enough information to know how it affects the baby. For breastfeeding, the NHS advises talking to a doctor or pharmacist first.
Other medicines and alcohol
The NHS says other alpha blockers, such as doxazosin, alfuzosin, prazosin or terazosin, and other blood pressure medicines can lower blood pressure too much when taken with tamsulosin. It also says some medicines for erectile dysfunction and for HIV may not mix well with tamsulosin.
The NHS advises against taking tamsulosin with diclofenac. It says paracetamol, codeine and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are OK to take with it. The NHS says there is not enough information about combining complementary medicines and herbal remedies with tamsulosin, and that they are generally not tested for their effect on other medicines.
The NHS suggests avoiding alcohol in the first few days, until it is clear how the medicine affects a person, because alcohol can increase the risk of side effects. It advises telling the doctor about any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Is tamsulosin used for anything other than an enlarged prostate?
The NHS says it is mainly prescribed for difficulty peeing caused by an enlarged prostate. It is also sometimes used to help kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.
Can tamsulosin be taken for a long time?
The NHS says tamsulosin works best when it is taken long term. A doctor is the person to talk to about how long treatment should continue.
What happens if tamsulosin is stopped suddenly?
The NHS says stopping suddenly can make the condition worse because symptoms may return. A doctor is the person to talk to about stopping or changing treatment.
Does tamsulosin affect eye surgery?
The NHS says tamsulosin can cause complications during cataract or glaucoma surgery. A person due for this surgery tells the doctor about the medicine in advance, and the doctor may ask for it to be stopped beforehand.
Which side effects need urgent help?
The NHS says to call 999 if anaphylaxis is suspected, for example a swollen throat or tongue or difficulty breathing, and to call NHS 111 for other serious side effects such as fainting. For a painful erection, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if it lasts more than 3 to 4 hours.
Connected pages in detail
What each linked page on Anatomy Nexus covers, in a line, for Tamsulosin.
Symptoms
- Dizziness An umbrella word for several sensations: vertigo (the room spins, an inner-ear or brain problem), light-headedness (about to faint.
Medications
- Ibuprofen A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that eases pain, inflammation and fever by blocking prostaglandin production.
Drug classes
- Alpha blockers Alpha blockers, also called alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists, are medicines that relax muscle.