Generic name: Tamsulosin

Why is this medication prescribed?
Tamsulosin is used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?
Tamsulosin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day. It should be taken 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Do not crush, chew, or open capsules of tamsulosin. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tamsulosin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking tamsulosin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tamsulosin or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cimetidine (Tagamet), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tamsulosin, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tamsulosin.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you interrupt your treatment for several days or more, call your doctor before restarting the medication, especially if you take more than one capsule a day.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from tamsulosin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
• sleepiness
• runny nose
• sexual dysfunction (difficulty ejaculating)

If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison controlcenter at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsedor is not breathing, call local emergency services at911.

What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.