Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Tamsulosin is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder so that urine can flow easily.
Before taking Tamsulosin
To make sure you can safely take Tamsulosin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
surgery;
kidney or liver disease;
allergic to any other medications;
pregnant or plan to become pregnant;
Tamsulosin side effects:
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea (4% to 6%), nausea (in up to 3 percent), constipation (greater than 1% to less than or equal to 3%), gastric pain.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have included somnolence (in up to 3 percent), headache (in up to 7.8 percent), insomnia (in up to 1.5 percent), dizziness (in up to 13 percent).
Genitourinary side effects have included decreased sex drive, abnormal ejaculation.
Respiratory system
Respiratory system side effects have included sore throat (in up to 2.8 percent), cough (in up to 4 percent), runny nose.
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal side effects have included chest pain (in up to 2.5 percent), back pain (greater than 1% to less than or equal to 3%).
Other
Other side effects have included blurred vision, fever, chills, flu symptoms, weakness.
What other information should I know?
You may experience some or none of the tamsulosin side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a tamsulosin side effect, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
