Tamsulosin is a drug to relieve complaints due to an enlarged prostate gland, such as difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, and the urge to always urinate. This medicine can only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Tamsulosin belongs to the class of alpha blockers (alpha blocker). This drug works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate gland and bladder, so urine can flow more smoothly. Please note that tamsulosin cannot cure or reduce the size of an already enlarged prostate.
Tamsulosin trademark: Duodart, Harnal D, Harnal Ocas, Prostam SR, Tamsulosin Hydrochloride
What is Tamsulosin
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | alpha blocker |
| Benefit | Relieves symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH) |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Tamsulosin for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Studies in animal experiments have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether Tamsulosin is absorbed into breast milk or not. Do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor. |
| Drug form | Capsules and tablets |
Warning Before Taking Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin is a prescription drug and is only used by adult men. Before taking tamsulosin, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not use tamsulosin if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after using a sulfa drug.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had angina pectoris, liver disease, prostate cancer, kidney disease, glaucoma, cataracts, or hypotension.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking tamsulosin if you are having surgery, including eye and dental surgery.
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate equipment that requires alertness while taking tamsulosin because this medicine can cause dizziness.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking tamsulosin.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin should only be used according to the prescription given by the doctor. The usual dose of tamsulosin for treating BPH in adult men is 400 mcg once daily. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor first.
How to Take Tamsulosin Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice in taking tamsulosin and read the instructions for use contained in the drug packaging.
Take tamsulosin 30 minutes after eating. Swallow the medicine with the help of water to make the medicine easier to swallow. Do not chew, split, or crush tamsulosin tablets or capsules. This drug must be taken in its entirety.
Especially for tamsulosin dispersible tablets, the drug can be taken without the help of water because these tablets are easy to melt. Just put the medicine on the tongue, wait for the medicine to melt, then swallow.
If you forget to take tamsulosin, take it as soon as you remember if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. When it is close, ignore and do not double the dose.
It takes at least about 4 weeks to see the body's response to the drug. When symptoms begin to improve, continue to take medication as directed by your doctor. Do not stop treatment without the doctor's permission, to prevent the risk of recurrence of symptoms.
Store tamsulosin in a closed place away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Tamsulosin Interaction with Other Drugs
The following are interactions that can occur when taking tamsulosin with other drugs:
- Increases blood levels of tamsulosin if taken with paroxetine, ketoconazole, terbinafine, atazanavir, clathromycin, or cimetidine
- Lowers blood levels of tamsulosin when used with furosemide
- Increases accelerated elimination of diclofenac or warfarin
- Increased risk of hypotension if taken with erectile dysfunction drugs, such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil
Tamsulosin Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may appear after taking tamsulosin include:
- Dizziness or dizziness
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Ejaculation disorders
- Drowsiness
Check with a doctor if the side effects above do not improve or interfere with activities. Tamsulosin can also cause painful erections lasting more than 4 hours or fainting. Immediately take people who experience these side effects to the nearest doctor or emergency room.