Tamsulosin is used for:

Treating enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH).It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder, which helps to improve urine flow and reduce symptoms of BPH.

Do NOT use Tamsulosin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tamsulosin
• you are taking another alpha-blocker (eg, prazosin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Tamsulosin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Tamsulosin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to any sulfonamide (sulfa) medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), sulfonylureas (eg, glyburide), probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide.
• if you have a history of high blood pressure or prostate cancer
• if you will be having eye surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tamsulosin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Alpha-blockers (eg, prazosin) or phosphodiesterase inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) because symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, severe dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting) may occur
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), cimetidine, or serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine) because they may increase the risk of Tamsulosin 's side effects
• Warfarin because the risk of side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tamsulosin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Tamsulosin :

Use Tamsulosin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Tamsulosin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Tamsulosin by mouth 30 minutes after eating the same meal each day.
• Swallow Tamsulosin whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open capsules before swallowing.
• If you miss a dose of Tamsulosin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss more than 2 dose of Tamsulosin , contact your doctor for instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tamsulosin.

Important safety information:

• Tamsulosin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tamsulosin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Tamsulosin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks for 12 hours after your first dose of Tamsulosin or after any dose increase.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tamsulosin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Tamsulosin may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• You will need to have regular check-ups with your doctor while you are using Tamsulosin. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Tamsulosin can cause harm to the fetus. It is not known if Tamsulosin is found in breast milk. Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women.

Possible side effects of Tamsulosin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; blurred vision; cough; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; lightheadedness; runny or stuffy nose; sinus inflammation; trouble sleeping; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular heartbeat; prolonged, painful erection; severe of persistent dizziness.