Flomax Side Effects After Stopping

Before delving into Flomax’s side effects after stopping, Flomax is a drug brand name for tamsulosin hydrochloride. It is an oral capsule generally known for treating the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Flomax side effects after stopping it

The drug may be available in the branded form. It can be costlier, or less expensive originally as a generic drug. Whichever way, it may be used as part of combination therapy. That means it may need to be taken with other drugs.

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is taken once daily. It is also available in different milligrams such as 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg capsules.

How Flomax works

Firstly, it is important we understand the health condition why Flomax might be needed for treatment. If you have an enlarged prostate, for instance, it will likely affect your urinary system.

It brings pressure on the tube (urethra) that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It results in urinary tract symptoms. These are, such as a weak urine stream, urinary frequency or urgency, and feeling unable to completely empty your bladder.

Subsequently, Flomax works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate, bladder, and arterioles. By relaxing the muscles, it allows urine to flow very freely and empty’s the bladder.

Considering the conception of some men experiencing an enlarged prostate, it is out of place to think that tamsulosin shrinks the gland. Rather, Flomax usually helps to improve symptoms of BPH.

While using Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride), improvement in the flow of urine should be noticed after the first dose. Also, within one week of administering the drug, improvements in symptoms of BPH should be noticed

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) Side Effects

Flomax oral capsule has some side effects which may be classified in different categories according to levels of effects.

Some of the effects that are more common with Flomax include the under listed:

Dizziness
Tiredness
Back or chest pain
Headache
Cough
Runny nose
Diarrhea
Loss of energy or muscle strength
Sore throat or trouble swallowing
Nausea

These side effects are sometimes mild and they tend to go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. However, in the case that they’re more severe or persist, you may need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Flomax Sexual Side Effects

This identifies another major Flomax side effect after stopping. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, it says that Flomax does not reduce the prostate’s size, but it does improve urination. More so, Flomax Sexual side effects are not that common.

However, they include:

1. Prolonged Erections

This is a serious side effect of taking the Flomax drug. It does not happen all the time, but it can cause the manhood to erect longer than normal. This condition can be very disturbing and painful too. The help of a doctor may be very much required to remedy it.

2. Shoot Off Problems

Flomax may cause prolonged or delayed shoot off during sex and this is a common side effect. It may also lead to changes that discredit normal sexual conditions. This means that your shoot off may not come with emission or spermatic fluid at the final point of satisfaction

According to the Mayo Clinic, this situation ought to be temporal in most men. It should also last for a few days to a week and if it persists for much longer, the doctor’s help is needed.

3. Problems of Sexual Ability

Following the reports by Drug.com, Flomax intake may also have a side effect that causes reduced sexual activities. This seems to state that you may perform with less vigor or for a shorter period of time. Your erectile ability may be lost in the act of sexual activities. It is as well stated that this problem should be temporal in men.

4. Lowered Libido

Flomax can cause a highly significant decrease in sexual desire in men. This situation can be very disturbing in men, but it is not to last more than a few days or a week. If otherwise, it is advisable to consult your doctor.

Cardiovascular Side Effects of Flomax

The cardiovascular side effect of Flomax may occur with the sign of changes in blood pressure, dizziness or fainting. Changes in dose, as well as the continuation of the drug, would lead to this. Close monitoring of blood pressure, in this case, should be considered very important as the dosage is discontinued.

In addition, you may need to be mindful of certain activities and avoid them, especially as the dose is adjusted. These activities include driving, operating machinery, or other potentially hazardous activities.

Other Side Effects of Flomax

If you notice a serious life-threatening symptom of Flomax side effect it is immediately required that you consult your doctor.

Some of these side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

Low blood pressure causes you to feel lightheaded, faint, or dizzy when changing positions
Allergic reaction, with trouble breathing, fever, swelling of your throat or tongue, rash, itching, or hives
Flu-like symptoms
Blurred vision

How Long Flomax Should be Taken

How long Flomax should be taken varies depending on the condition or state of health. Intermittently, your prescribed dose may be changed by you to make sure you get the best results. It is also recommended not to take Fomax in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Ideally, Tamsulosin oral capsule is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Taking this medication at the same time each day is very advisable.

Flomax (Tamsulosin) Interaction With Other Medications

Flomax oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs. The interaction can be when a substance changes the way a drug works. Subsequently, this can be hurtful or prevent the drug from working well.

Flomax interaction with other medicines can be avoided. For it to happen, it is better that your doctor carefully manages all of your medications. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Under listed is an example of some of the drugs that can cause interactions with Flomax (tamsulosin).

1. Antibiotic

Taking erythromycin with Flomax may possibly increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body too. As well, it can raise your risk of side effects from tamsulosin. Care should be taken when using these drugs together.

2. Acid-blocking drug

Taking cimetidine with Flomax is likely to increase the levels of tamsulosin in the body. This raises the chance of side effects from tamsulosin. These drugs should be used together cautiously.

3. Antidepressant (SSRI)

Paroxetine is another drug, if taken together with Flomax can increase the levels of tamsulosin in the body. Chances of raising the risk of side effects from tamsulosin are possible. Care should be taken when using these drugs together.

4. Antifungal drugs

Antifungal drugs also when combined with Flomax can increase the levels of tamsulosin in your body. It as well raises the risk of side effects from tamsulosin. Some of these drugs are:

ketoconazole (it is not in any way advisable to use this drug with Flomax)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs
Terbinafine (care should be taken when using this drug with Flomax)

5. Alpha-blockers

Alpha-blocker drugs, taken in combination with tamsulosin can cause very low blood pressure. Alpha-blocker drugs include:

Doxazosin
Prazosin

How Long Does it Take Flomax to Work?

The improvement of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is observed in most people within a week of taking Flomax. Generally, the time it takes for this drug to work is between one to two weeks. The drug gradually builds up in your body to a level that works.

In case you have not seen improvement within this space of time it is necessary to consult your doctor. Some of what you may experience if there is no improvement are urinating doesn’t get easier for you.

It could also be that you don’t have fewer urges to urinate within 2 weeks after starting this drug. Your doctor may need to change your dosage or have you take another drug when consulted.

Precautions

Flomax is not approved for use in women or children, and the drug should not be used to treat high blood pressure. Do not stop taking Flomax or change the dose unless under the care and supervision of a health care provider.

Low blood pressure warning:

Flomax can cause a feeling of dizziness or cause a drop in blood pressure when you stand up after long sitting or lying down. If you are just starting to take Flomax, you need to be sure of the effects first. This should help you understand how it reacts to the body before you perform any activity that could cause injury.

Priapism warning:

Flomax does not often cause priapism. However, this is a persistent, painful erection that isn’t related to sexual activity. If you have priapism, contact your doctor right immediately. If priapism isn’t treated, it could lead to permanent impotence.

Skin reactions warning:

This might not be common, but the drug can cause severe skin reactions. This includes a serious condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Subsequently, raised welts, facial swelling, fever, and trouble breathing can be caused by skin reactions.

Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) warning:

This is a surgical complication that can occur when carrying out surgery for cataracts or glaucoma. This is not also common, this problem has been reported with people taking Flomax. If your health condition requires surgery at any point for cataracts or glaucoma, it is important to let your surgeon know that you’re taking tamsulosin.

Allergic reaction warning

Flomax can cause severe allergic reactions, such as a serious condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. These allergic reactions can cause symptoms including:

Swelling of your throat or tongue
Trouble breathing
Rash, itching, hives

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away.

You do not have to take this drug anymore if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it or to sulfa. The consequences of taking it again could be fatal (cause death). More so, sulfa is an ingredient found in certain drugs. Tell your doctor if you’ve had a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction to sulfa.

Reasons to Stop Flomax

Some men may choose not to discontinue Flomax due to the potential for drug interactions, lifestyle considerations, or personal choice. Also because of the effective relief from BPH symptoms. Other men may not be able to tolerate the side effects of Flomax, regardless of symptom relief.

However, there are certain conditions that may suggest you should re-evaluate your BPH medication which include:

The BPH symptoms worsen, even though you are taking your current medication.
You notice side effects that weren’t affecting you before.
The need to start taking a drug for some other medical condition — or add drugs to an existing regimen (for example, you add another medication to help control your high blood pressure).
Commence taking a drug for erectile dysfunction.

How to Stop Flomax

It is advisable to discontinue Flomax discontinued slowly, lasting for several days to weeks. The dose too should be gradually decreased to avoid side effects. The blood pressure should be closely monitored during the period of discontinuation.

Other Medical Treatments For BPH

Imagine when drug treatment fails or perhaps when there are increased problems with the prostate. Such problems as frequent prostate infections, prostatectomy may be recommended by a doctor. Prostatectomy is referred to as a procedure in which the surgeon removes all or a portion of the prostate.

This can alleviate symptoms in some people, with few or no side effects. However, this process may cause incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other health concerns.

If you are considering this type of treatment, you need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of a prostatectomy. You also need to talk to your doctor about which form of prostatectomy is likely to be the most effective for you.

Not very often, but putting into consideration some BPH conditions, the doctor may recommend temporary or permanent use of a catheter. A catheter is a tube that goes through the urethra to help empty the bladder. It can help people whose prostates are very large and swollen.

A catheter can also be used as a temporary remedy when the prostate has swollen due to surgery or another medical procedure.

Some Home Remedies For BPH

Some home remedies like herbal may help with some symptoms of BPH. They include:

Saxifrage, a Chinese herbal remedy made from Saxifraga stolonifera. This herb may improve prostate function in some people, although research into its effectiveness is mixed.
Cernilton is an herbal remedy extract from rye-grass pollen. It is a supplement and also available over the counter, and most studies suggest it causes few side effects. It may moderately improve urological functioning.
Babassu is yet another herbal remedy, and it is made from a Brazilian palm tree. Animal studies suggest it is safe to use. It may work by slowing prostate growth and causing some prostate cells to die.
Ganodermataceae is a type of fungus that may work similarly to some 5-alpha-reductase drugs. Research on rats showed that it could reduce testosterone’s effect on the prostate. Testosterone is a major culprit in the prostate growth associated with BPH.

Therefore, It is very vital to consult with a doctor before using any supplements. You also have to be aware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor the effectiveness, quality, or safety of supplements.

These under-listed lifestyle changes may improve symptoms, but they will not reverse BPH. They include:

Not straining to empty the bladder
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
Not drinking fluids a few hours before going to bed
Double voiding