Flomax (Tamsulosin)

Flomax relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder, which helps the flow of urine. It is a type of alpha blocker. Flomax was approved on April 15, 1997 and is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Volmax was approved December 23, 1992 and is indicated for relief of bronchospasm.

Flomax does not shrink the prostate, as some other BPH medications do. However, by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder, it helps to quickly relieve BPH symptoms. Flomax works to treat BPH by relaxing the smooth muscles involved in the urinary system . It works particularly on the smooth muscle of the prostate , allowing urine to better flow. Flomax doesn't shrink the prostate. Instead, it relaxes the muscle around it, freeing the flow of urine and decreasing urinary symptoms.

Flomax is not FDA approved for use in women for any reason. Flomax works by blocking a certain type of receptor in the prostate, which causes relaxation of the prostate, allowing men to urinate more easily. Flomax has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials, with thousands of people being evaluated. In these studies, side effects occurring in the group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. Flomax may come with a patient information leaflet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine.

Tamsulosin was developed by Yamanouchi Pharmaceuticals (now part of Astellas Pharma ) and is marketed by various companies under licence, including Boehringer-Ingelheim and CSL . Tamsulosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets are marketed under the trade name Flomaxtra and Urimax . Tamsulosin helps to relax the muscles in the prostate and the opening of the bladder. This helps the stream of urine to flow more freely and the bladder to be emptied completely. Tamsulosin is used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Benign enlargement of the prostate is a problem that can occur in men as they get older.