Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker that relaxes the prostate and bladder neck to ease urine flow in benign prostatic hyperplasia, sold as 0.2mg and 0.4mg capsules in two listings.
Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin
0.2/0.4mg
Tamsulosin capsules in 0.2mg and 0.4mg strengths, an alpha blocker taken once a day to ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including weak flow and getting up at night.
Prostate symptoms tamsulosin helps with
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate pressing on the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. Men notice a weak stream, trouble starting, and toilet trips that come often and urgently. Tamsulosin eases those symptoms by relaxing muscle in the prostate and bladder neck so urine flows more freely. It does not shrink the prostate, so symptoms tend to return when the capsules stop.
How to take the capsules
Tamsulosin capsules are modified-release, which means the medicine seeps out over the day instead of arriving in one rush. That is why they go down whole: crushing, chewing, splitting or opening a capsule would let the lot out at once. The usual dose is a single capsule once a day, around half an hour after a meal and at a similar time each day. Many men start on 0.2mg and move up to 0.4mg after two to four weeks when the lower strength is not enough.
Why it relaxes the bladder neck
Tamsulosin blocks alpha-1 receptors, the docking points that signal smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck to tighten. Blocked, they cannot pass that signal, the muscle slackens, and the urinary pathway opens. It is selective for those tissues, which is why it disturbs blood pressure less than older alpha blockers — dizziness still happens, especially in the first weeks and on standing up.
Side effects, common and rare
Dizziness and lightheadedness lead the list, often with a spinning feeling when standing. Rising slowly, feet on the floor for a moment first, takes the edge off. A runny or blocked nose, back pain, diarrhoea, sleepiness or trouble sleeping, weakness, blurred vision, sore throat and other signs of infection are also reported. Ejaculation can become difficult or semen volume lower; this reverses when the medicine stops. Rarely an erection is painful and lasts for hours, which needs urgent treatment. Rash, itching, hives or difficulty breathing suggests an allergic reaction. Cataract surgeons ask about tamsulosin beforehand, because it can affect the iris during the operation.
Flomax and Tamsulosin: two listings, one ingredient
Both products hold the same ingredient in the same form and strengths. Flomax is the brand name the medicine is best known by; Tamsulosin is the ingredient's own name, used for the unbranded listing. Each comes as capsules of 0.2mg or 0.4mg, so the choice between them is a choice of name rather than of strength. Both sit in the Men's Health range.
Sources
- Tamsulosin: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Tamsulosin 0.4mg cap Patient Leaflet — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Where can I buy Tamsulosin in Hong Kong?
Tamsulosin can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range covers Tamsulosin capsules in 0.2mg and 0.4mg and generic Flomax capsules in 0.2mg and 0.4mg. Pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted payment page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
How much does Tamsulosin cost?
Prices vary between the two tamsulosin products and between pack sizes. Every product page lists its current prices in HKD or in the currency you choose.
Do I need a prescription to order Tamsulosin?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order tamsulosin. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for tamsulosin?
Flomax, Harnal and Omnic are brand names of tamsulosin, which is also sold as Contiflo and Urimax. Here, tamsulosin can be bought online as generic Flomax and tamsulosin capsules. These are generics, not the original brand.
What is the difference between Flomax and tamsulosin capsules?
Flomax is the brand name; tamsulosin is the name of the ingredient itself. Both listings hold the same active ingredient in the same capsule form, and both come in 0.2mg and 0.4mg, so the choice between them is a choice of name rather than strength.
Does tamsulosin affect ejaculation?
It can. Difficulty ejaculating, or a smaller volume of semen, is among the more common effects reported with tamsulosin. It reverses after the capsules are stopped, so it is not a permanent change.
What happens when you stop taking tamsulosin?
Symptoms usually return once the capsules stop, because tamsulosin relaxes the muscle around the bladder neck rather than shrinking the prostate. It keeps the problem under control while it is being taken, so the weak stream and frequent trips come back afterwards.
Can tamsulosin help a kidney stone pass?
It is sometimes used for that purpose, though benign prostatic hyperplasia is its main use. Tamsulosin relaxes smooth muscle, and the ureter — the tube that carries urine down from each kidney — is built from the same tissue, which is why it is tried when a stone will not pass.
Can I take tamsulosin with other medicines?
Cimetidine, a heartburn medicine sold over the counter, is the one to know about: it can raise the amount of tamsulosin in the body. Medicines that lower blood pressure can add to the lightheadedness, as can other alpha blockers.