Flomax, the brand name for the drug tamsulosin, is an alpha-adrenergic blocker typically used to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder to make urination easier for men with an enlarged prostate. Although tamsulosin is not generally prescribed for women, some doctors have found it is helpful for women whose bladder needs to be relaxed so they can urinate more easily. Tamsulosin is also prescribed to women and men for treatment of renal calculi, better known as kidney stones.
Low Blood Pressure
According to a study conducted by doctors within the Department of Medicine and Urology, University of Essen, and published in the "British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology," tamsulosin is considered a safe drug and well tolerated, with few serious side effects. However, it may cause blood pressure to drop and should be used cautiously by women taking blood pressure medication or women with low blood pressure, especially older women who are more at risk for blood pressure conditions. According to PDR Health, Flomax capsules may cause a patient's blood pressure to drop suddenly, especially after the first dose of Flomax or when the dose is altered. A drop in blood pressure can cause fainting, lightheadedness and dizziness. Until women know how they will respond to Flomax, they should get up very slowly from reclining or sitting positions and avoid driving or doing activities that could be affected by symptoms of low blood pressure.
Drowsiness
According to Drugs.com, women on Flomax may feel drowsy. These women should be careful when taking part in activities requiring them to stay alert. Women should not drink alcohol while taking Flomax, especially if they feel drowsy or dizzy. In addition, they should not stand for long stretches of time or become overheated.
Cataract Surgery
Dr. Chaim M. Bell, assistant professor at the University of Toronto, studied the effects of tamsulosin. His results state that "Patients that were prescribed tamsulosin had an over twofold increase in their risk of adverse events after cataract surgery." Because Flomax can cause the iris to flap when it is stimulated during surgery, and this may result in eye injuries, Dr. Bell advises all patients to alert their surgeons if they are taking Flomax. Doing so allows surgeons to prepare for the operation and adjust the cataract surgery procedure.
Effects on the Urethra
Urologists at Balgrist University Hospital's Swiss Paraplegic Center found that tamsulosin had a significantly relaxing effect on the women's urethral muscle tone. This Swiss neurourology study examined the effect of tamsulosin on women, and the research results suggest that tamsulosin may be an effective pharmacological approach for treating urinary retention in women.
References
- British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology: A 6-month Large-Scale Study into the Safety of Tamsulosin
- PDR Health: Prescription Drugs: Flomax
- Drugs.com: Flomax
- Drugs.com: Study Reiterates Eye Risks Linked to Flomax
- European Urology: The effect of tamsulosin on the resting tone and the contractile behaviour of the female urethra: a functional urodynamic study in healthy women
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