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Flomax
Information
Flomax is a medicine for use by MEN only. Flomax is used in men who have a medical condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH). This is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
Flomax belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-blockers.
Your doctor has prescribed Flomax for you because you have symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate gland. BPH occurs only in men. It is common in men over the age of 50 years.
The prostate gland is deep in your pelvis, below your bladder. Because your prostate has become bigger than it should be, it is affecting how well you are able to pass your urine. This causes some, or all of the following symptoms; they usually start gradually and increase in severity:
Urine flow is slow, the stream is poor.
The urine stream may become a trickle, or it may stop and start.
You find a delay when you try to pass urine, and you have to strain to do so.
You feel that you cannot empty your bladder completely.
You may dribble at the end of passing urine.
You need to pass urine often during the day.
You need to get up often during the night to pass urine.
You feel an urgency to pass urine as soon as you first feel the need to do so.
When you pass urine, the urine travels from the bladder through a channel in the tissues of the prostate. When the gland becomes large, it presses on this channel which then becomes narrow. The channel may even become effectively completely blocked. If this happens, no urine can be passed. This is a medical emergency.
Flomax is a medicine which relaxes the smooth muscle. It is particularly active at relaxing smooth muscle in the prostate. Flomax works with BPH by widening the channel through the prostate gland. This allows the urine to flow easily.
Flomax
Side Effects
Although most men prescribed Flomax benefit, but as with any medicines, some side effects may occur. Flomax does not usually cause any problems.
A few people may be allergic to some medicines. If you develop a skin rash, itchiness or swelling of the face, lips or tongue, tell your doctor immediately, as you may be having an allergic reaction to Flomax. Swelling of the face, lips or tongue may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
One side effect of Flomax is known as "retrograde ejaculation". When this happens the ejaculation fluid is not squirted out, most of it runs back into the bladder. Retrograde ejaculation is painless.
Other side effects reported by people taking Flomax include dizziness, headache, itching, weakness, dizziness on standing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, fast heart beats, increase in coughing, blocked nose and infection.
Flomax can occasionally cause people to feel faint and dizzy. You should get up slowly from the sitting or lying position to reduce the risk of dizziness or light-headedness. If you do feel faint on standing up, you should lie down for a short while. If the dizziness persists you should contact your doctor. You must not drive a car or operate machinery if you feel dizzy.
This is not a complete listing. Other unwanted effects may occur in some men. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
You should always tell your doctor about any problems you have whilst taking Flomax.
The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.
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