Flomax Warnings and Precautions
There are several Flomax precautions and warnings to be aware of before taking the medication. For example, some people experience drug interactions when taking Flomax and other drugs. Other precautions relate to allergic reactions and possible sexual side effects with Flomax. Prior to taking this drug, be sure to inform your healthcare provider of any allergies you might have -- people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in Flomax should not take the medication.
Flomax: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Flomax® (tamsulosin hydrochloride) if you have:
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives (especially a sulfa allergy).
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
It's important to also tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
- Flomax can cause dizziness, a spinning sensation (vertigo), and fainting, especially when first standing up. These side effects are caused by low blood pressure. These symptoms are more common when Flomax is first started or when the Flomax dosage is changed. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to avoid situations that might be dangerous, such as driving or operating heavy machinery. Tell your healthcare provider if you are having trouble with any of these symptoms.
- Very rarely, Flomax has been reported to cause priapism, a painful erection of the penis that does not go away. Even though it may seem embarrassing, you need to seek medical attention right away if you have priapism, as it made lead to permanent damage to the penis.
- Before you start Flomax, your healthcare provider should make sure your enlarged prostate symptoms are not caused by another condition, such as prostate cancer or bladder problems.
- Flomax has been reported to cause intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, a problem with the eyes that can occur during cataract surgery. This problem has occurred in both people who were currently taking Flomax and people who had stopped taking Flomax. Before having eye surgery, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are or have been on Flomax.
- Although it is very rare, people who have a sulfa allergy might also be allergic to Flomax. If you have a sulfa allergy that has caused severe or life-threatening reactions in the past, talk with your healthcare provider before taking Flomax.
- Flomax is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that Flomax is probably safe for use during pregnancy. However, because Flomax has not been studied in pregnant women, the full risks of using Flomax during pregnancy are not known. Flomax is not approved for any use in women (see Flomax and Pregnancy for more information).
- It is not known if Flomax passes through breast milk. Therefore, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding.
- Flomax can interact with certain medications (see Flomax Drug Interactions).