What is tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin, a drug in the alpha-blocker drug class, is used to alleviate the symptoms of urine obstruction. Most often it is prescribed for men who have benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Patients with obstruction of the outflow of their urinary cities can also benefit from taking this drug. Although this medicine is usually well tolerated, side effects may include dizziness, back pain and sore throat. When the adrenergic receptors of Alpha-1 are activated, they cause the blood vessels to narrow and the contraction of the muscles. Inhibition of these receptors releases these structures. Since Tamsulosin works in this way, it is considered a member of a drug class called alpha-blockers. Therefore, the drugs relax the smooth muscle in the prostate, which creates an effective magnification of the size of the urethra at this point. In this way, urine allows to flow freely from the bladder through the urethra and on the outside of the body.

jFor the main reasons why people use tamsulosin, it is for benign prostate hyperplasia, a condition that causes an enlarged prostate. These patients often experience symptoms such as urination, weak urine stream, urinary dribbling and incomplete emptying after urination. Medicines can reduce many of these symptoms by relieving the obstacle caused by BPH. Another indication for the use of drugs is to alleviate other obstacles to the output of the bladder.

Tamsulosin is usually served as a pill that is taken once a day. Drugs are often sold by Flomax®. It is only available in the US.

The common side effects of tamsulosin include dizziness, abnormal ejaculation, sore throat, back pain, drowsiness and cough. Rarely, the use of drugs may develop more serious side effects. They may include fainting, low blood pressure and priapism, a medical term for prolonged penis erection. Some patients are allergic to medicines and may have reactions including skin rakesy, dyspnoea and swelling of the face after taking the medicine.

Although tamsulosin is usually well tolerated by many patients, some people should avoid taking drugs. Its use is limited in patients who are allergic to medicines and in patients who have undergone surgery in the past. In men suspected of prostate cancer, the presence of this disease should be evaluated before medication.