Description

Flomax is used for:

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

Flomax 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 Flomax if:

• you are allergic
  to any ingredient in Flomax

• you are taking another
  alpha-blocker (eg, prazosin)

 

Before using Flomax :

Some medical conditions may interact with Flomax . 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 liver or
  kidney problems, or high or low
  blood pressure, or prostate cancer

• if you will be having eye surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Flomax . 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, fainting) may occur

• Azole antifungals (eg,
  ketoconazole), cimetidine, or serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (eg,
  fluoxetine) because they may increase the risk of Flomax ‘s side effects

• Warfarin because the risk of side
  effects may be increased

 

How to use Flomax :

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

• An extra patient leaflet is
  available with Flomax . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about
  this information.

• Take Flomax by mouth 30 minutes
  after eating the same meal
  each day.

• Swallow Flomax whole. Do not
  break, crush, chew, or open capsules before swallowing.

• If you miss a dose of Flomax ,
  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 Flomax , contact your doctor
  for instructions.

Important safety information:

• Flomax may cause drowsiness,
  dizziness, blurred vision, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may
  be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Flomax with
  caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know
  how you react to it.

• Flomax 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 Flomax or after
  any dose increase.

• Tell your doctor or
  dentist that you take Flomax before you receive any medical or dental
  care, emergency care, or surgery.

• Flomax 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 Flomax . Be sure to keep all
  doctor and lab appointments.

• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It
  is not known if Flomax can cause harm to the fetus. It is not known if
  Flomax is found in breast milk. Flomax is not approved for use in women.

Possible side effects of Flomax :

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.