Tamsulosin was approved for medical use in the United States in 1997.[6] It is available as ageneric medication in the UK.[9] In 2022, it was the twentieth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 25million prescriptions.[11][12]
Tamsulosin is primarily used forbenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to help with the passage ofkidney stones.[13][14] Tamsulosin, however, appears to be effective only for stones over 4 mm and less than 10 mm in size.[8]
Tamsulosin is also used as an add-on treatment foracute urinary retention. People may void more successfully after catheter removal if they are taking tamsulosin. People taking tamsulosin also are less likely to need repeat catheterization.[15]
Tamsulosin does not decrease the overall size of the prostate in men with BPH and is not recommended for the prevention ofprostate cancer.[16]
The results of the CombAT (combination ofdutasteride [Avodart] and tamsulosin [Duodart]) trial in 2008 demonstrated that treatment with the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin provides greater symptom benefits compared to monotherapy with either agent alone for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.[17]The CombAT trial became the medicationJalyn. It was approved by the FDA on 14 June 2010.[18] This combination can be useful because it may take up to six months for symptomatic relief to be found when using5α-Reductase inhibitors such as dutasteride compared to alpha-1 receptor blockers, which can provide relief in some cases within 48 hours.[19]
Eyes: People taking tamsulosin are prone to acomplication known asfloppy iris syndrome duringcataract surgery.Adverse outcomes of the surgery are greatly reduced by the surgeon's prior knowledge of the person's history with this drug, and thus having the option of alternative techniques.[20]
Persons with cardiac conditions including hypotension, mechanical heart failure (valvular, pulmonary embolism, pericarditis), and congestive heart failure should be monitored carefully while taking tamsulosin.
Alpha-blockers, includingprazosin,terazosin,doxazosin, or tamsulosin, do not appear to affect all-cause mortality inheart failure rehospitalization in those also receiving β-blockers.[23]
Tamsulosin can also causeretrograde ejaculation, which occurs when semen is redirected to the urinary bladder instead of being ejaculated normally. This is because tamsulosin relaxes the muscles of theurethral sphincters, which are normally closed during ejaculation.[24]
When alpha 1 receptors in the bladder neck, prostate, ureter, and urethra are blocked, a relaxation in smooth muscle tissue results.[16] This mechanism decreases resistance to urinary flow, reduces discomfort associated with BPH, and facilitates passage ofkidney stones.[16]
Tamsulosin was first marketed in 1996 under thetrade name Flomax. The U.S. patent expired in October 2009.[26] TheU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved generics in March 2010.[27] In 2010, tamsulosin was available as OTC medication in UK.[28]
It is marketed by various companies under licence, includingBoehringer Ingelheim andCSL. Tamsulosin hydrochloride extended-release capsules are marketed under the trade names Urimax 0.4 (India),Tamlocept 0.4 (India), Flomax, Flomaxtra, Contiflo XL, bestflo, Mecir LP (France), Urimax, Pamsvax, and Pradif,[29] although generic, unmodified-release capsules are still approved and marketed in many countries (such asCanada). Generic extended-release tablets are marketed in most countries of theEEA.[30] InMexico, it is marketed as Secotex and as Harnal D inJapan andIndonesia and as Harnal OCAS (oral controlled absorption system) in Thailand.[31] InEgypt,[32]Italy,Russia andIceland, it is marketed under the trade name Omnic by Astellas Pharma Europe. The largest manufacturer of tamsulosin is Synthon BV (the Netherlands).[citation needed] Tamsulosin hydrochloride is marketed in Bangladesh under the trade names Uromax, Prostanil MR, Tamisol MR, and Tamsin.[citation needed]
^Lucas MG, Stephenson TP, Nargund V (February 2005). "Tamsulosin in the management of patients in acute urinary retention from benign prostatic hyperplasia".BJU International.95 (3):354–357.doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2005.05299.x.PMID15679793.S2CID30254915.
^abcLewis SM, Dirksen SR, Heitkemper MM, Bucher LH (2013).Medical-surgical nursing: assessment and management of clinical problems (9th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri.ISBN978-0-323-10089-2.OCLC228373703.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^Roehrborn CG, Siami P, Barkin J, Damião R, Major-Walker K, Morrill B, et al. (February 2008). "The effects of dutasteride, tamsulosin and combination therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic enlargement: 2-year results from the CombAT study".The Journal of Urology.179 (2):616–621, discussion 621.doi:10.1016/j.juro.2007.09.084.PMID18082216.
