What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
-Advanced kidney disease
-Advanced liver disease
-Low blood pressure
-Prostate cancer
-An unusual or allergic reaction to tamsulosin, sulfa drugs, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
-Cimetidine
-Certain medications for erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil
-Fluoxetine
-Ketoconazole
-Medications for blood pressure
-Other alpha blockers, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, prazosin, terazosin
-Warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. You will need blood work done before you start this medication and regularly while you are taking it. Check your blood pressure as directed. Know what your blood pressure should be and when to contact your care team.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects. These effects may decrease once your body adjusts to the medication.
Contact your care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of a serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage.
If you are thinking of having cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon that you have taken this medication.