Tamsulosin

What is Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin is a simple capsule that treats the symptoms of BPH, like often needing to urinate or having problems urinating. It also treats ‘off-label’ an overactive bladder in general. Off-label means that the medication hasn’t been approved for treating an overactive bladder. But this is a common practice, and doctors only do so when they believe that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

It’s common for men’s prostates to become larger as they age, and it’s usually harmless. But the prostate being larger can put pressure on the bladder and the urethra, which causes a range of symptoms. These effects are sometimes called lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS.

Tamsulosin doesn’t shrink your prostate, but it does ease the muscles around it and in your bladder. This gives you greater control of your symptoms so you can live life freely again.

How does Tamsulosin work?

Tamsulosin is a type of medication called an alpha 1 blocker. It targets the alpha 1 receptors in your prostate and the neck of your bladder, stopping them from working in the same way. This allows the muscles to relax.^[1]

This makes it easier to urinate and to empty your bladder completely when you do, which helps reduce urgency and makes it easier to start. Tamsulosin can also help ease your symptoms of urinary problems whether they’re caused by BPH or not.

What doses of Tamsulosin are there?

Tamsulosin comes as 400mcg capsules, and you’ll usually only take one a day. A higher dose of Tamsulosin isn’t usually recommended, because it’s a powerful medication. So if 400mcg isn’t enough to control your symptoms, go back and talk to your healthcare provider. There might be another treatment that suits you better.

Lifestyle changes can also help your treatment to work better. Avoiding caffeine, drinking fewer fluids in the evening and making sure your bladder is empty after you go to the bathroom will all help to reduce the likelihood of you getting symptoms.

How to take Tamsulosin

Listen to your clinician’s advice on how exactly to take Tamsulosin.

• Swallow Tamsulosin whole with water. Don’t crush, chew or open the capsule.
• Take Tamsulosin in the morning. You can still take it at night if that’s easier, just make sure to take it at the same time every day.
• The best time to take Tamsulosin is about half an hour after a meal, so it absorbs properly.
• It is often easier to swallow Tamsulosin if you take it while sitting or standing. This stops the capsule from getting stuck in your throat.

How long does Tamsulosin take to work?

Unlike a lot of other treatments for BPH (such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride or dutasteride) Tamsulosin starts working very soon after you first take it.

It can take longer for your symptoms to completely disappear, with some people not seeing the full benefits of Tamsulosin for a few weeks.

What should I do if I make a mistake while taking Tamsulosin?

If you forget to take Tamsulosin, take the pill as soon as you remember. If it’s already nearly time for your next pill, you should skip the missed pill. Don’t take double your dosage of Tamsulosin because you missed a pill.

Don’t take too much Tamsulosin at one time. If you do, your blood pressure could become too low and you should get medical attention. Tamsulosin can sometimes make people feel dizzy, especially when they first start taking it. If you feel unsteady or faint after taking Tamsulosin, don’t drive.