Reasons For Stopping Flomax
The most important reason for stopping Flomax is experiencing the rare side effects listed above. Some can be potentially life-threatening. Others are very annoying and difficult to handle. Thus, the main reason for stopping Flomax is the onset of an adverse event after taking the drug.
Also, your doctor may recommend discontinuing the treatment if you are receiving Flomax for your enlarged prostate and need cataract surgery. If you continue taking it, Flomax may cause a complication known as intraoperative floppy iris syndrome.
Other patients may need to discontinue Flomax after reducing their urinary symptoms. Some patients may need to take drugs that will interact with tamsulosin. For example, the antidepressant paroxetine changes the way your body metabolizes tamsulosin. Combining it with erectile dysfunction drugs may lower your blood pressure. Moreover, some blood pressure medications may also interact with tamsulosin .
The above are valid medical reasons to stop taking tamsulosin. Still, it would help if you talked to your doctor before discontinuing your treatment or changing your dose.
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Symptomatic treatment of an enlarged prostate usually involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be the best option if you suffer from chronic urination. It will help the body adjust to the increased size of the prostate. Also, taking regular urination intervals will help retrain the bladder to function properly. Inactivity also contributes to urine retention, and cold temperatures can increase the urge to urinate.
Invasive treatment of enlarged prostate includes medication that relieves the pressure on the urethra and bladder. However, if the condition is severe, it may require surgical intervention. If treatment is not successful, the enlarged prostate can become a potentially life-threatening disease. As the hormone levels in the body change, the enlarged prostate can lead to various complications, including urinary retention and even cancer. This is why it is critical to see a doctor for further evaluation.
What Are The Side Effects After Stopping Taking Flomax
Flomax side effects after stopping are usually related to a return of the original BPH symptoms. This drug improves the urine flow in patients with an enlarged prostate. If patients stop taking it the bladder and prostate tissue no longer receive the drug.
The blocked alpha-adrenergic receptors are activated once again. Thus, the urinary tract does not relax properly. Patients may end up with the same urinary symptoms experienced before treatment.
However, not all patients will experience a return of BPH symptoms. For instance, there is a study about it published in the journal Urologia Internationalis.
The study evaluated a group of Japanese men who achieved symptom improvements after being treated with tamsulosin. After stopping Flomax, not all patients suffered a return of BPH symptoms. At 24 weeks, 68.9% of them still experienced improved urinary tract symptoms .
This research was reviewed in a meta-analysis with nine other studies. The researchers, this time, evaluated data from 1081 participants in total. Flomax side effects after stopping the treatment were more evident in patients in monotherapy. Patients under combination therapy did not have significant short-term or long-term consequences.
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The Initial Causes How Does Flomax Affect Prostate Cancer
One of the first symptoms of prostate issues is pain or tenderness in the groin or lower back. This can be the result of a noncancerous condition called enlarged prostatic tissue, or it could be an infection of the bladder. In either case, its important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If youre suffering from prostate pain, you may want to consider reducing your caffeine intake.
Another symptom of a potentially enlarged prostate is difficulty starting a stream of urine, leaking, or dribbling. These symptoms are not serious, but theyre still alarming. Most men put up with an enlarged prostate for years before seeking medical attention, but they typically seek treatment as soon as they notice symptoms. Even if you dont have symptoms, its worth getting checked to determine if you have any prostate issues.
If you experience nightly bathroom runs, you may be experiencing an enlarged prostate. You may be having difficulty starting a stream of urine, or you may even be dribbling or leaking during the day. These problems arent life-threatening, but can become a nuisance. You should not ignore these signs and seek treatment as soon as you notice them. If you feel any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Dangerous Side Effects Of Flomax Drug
Flomax is a very popular drug used by men in order to treat prostate related problems. But even though this drug has become a very commonly used one, it has some dangerous side effects. This is why you should never take this drug without consulting with your doctor first.
If you are taking medication for some other health ailments, then Flomax might interfere with those drugs and cause unexpected side-effects.
Other than drug interaction, Flomax is also known to cause allergic reactions in some people. Tell your doctor about any of your allergies that you know about before you start taking Flomax. You should mention allergic reactions to food, preservatives, or chemicals, and any allergic reactions that you have ever suffered to any kind of medication.
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Men Taking Tamsulosin Should Inform Their Ophthalmologist Before Having Cataract Surgery
Intra-operative floppy iris syndrome has been observed in some men undergoing cataract surgery who were taking, or who had recently taken, tamsulosin or combination medicines that include tamsulosin.32 The optimal length of time and effects of discontinuing tamsulosin before cataract surgery have not been established.16
Figure 1 How Bph Medications Work
A. As the prostate gland enlarges, it constricts the urethra, which carries urine out of the body, and may expand up into the bladder itself. This not only impedes urinary tract functioning, but also reduces the volume of urine the bladder can hold.
B. Alpha-1 blockers attach to certain receptors in the muscle walls much as a key fits into a lock. By blocking alpha-1 receptors, alpha-1 blockers prevent insertion of the chemical keys that signal a muscle to contract. The muscles relax and urine flows more freely.
C. The 5alpha-reductase inhibitors have a different mechanism of action: They neutralize 5alpha reductase, the enzyme that initiates conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, the form of the hormone that is usable in the prostate. By blocking the action of the chief male hormone responsible for growth of the prostate, these drugs eventually cause the prostate to shrink.
The alpha-1 blockers are classed into two groups. The selective agents, alfuzosin , silodosin , and tamsulosin , work primarily on the tissues of the urinary tract. The nonselective agents, doxazosin and terazosin , affect both the urinary tract and other tissues elsewhere in the body. The 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, which include dutasteride and finasteride , act directly on the prostate.
Other medications are in development , but are not yet available. So for now, youll have to weigh the relative risks and benefits of alpha-1 blockers and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors.
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What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat.
What Are Some Other Side Effects Of This Drug
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
- Throat irritation.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-. You may also report side effects at .
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Problems During Eye Surgery
People who want to have eye surgery, like cataract surgery or glaucoma surgery, should not start taking tamsulosin or other alpha-blockers. In some people, tamsulosin changes the iris and makes it floppythis can lead to problems during eye surgery. This intraoperative floppy iris syndrome can happen even if you stopped your tamsulosin months before surgery. For this reason, your healthcare provider may recommend not starting the drug if you anticipate eye surgery in the futurewait until after surgery if you can .
Flomax Psa Tests May Show Low Level Of Psa
It is now common knowledge that the use of tamsulosin or Flomax can interfere with the PSA test results. Also the use of other drugs that are used to treat BPH, like finasteride and dutasteride, lower a mans PSA level. Knowing this, one cannot help but wonder if it is wise to rely on PSA screening alone to detect prostate cancer in an early stage.
It is very important to keep in mind that the PSA level in your blood is not the only factor for diagnosing prostate cancer. Yes, a high PSA level may indicate prostatitis or BPH . But it may also be cancer. This is why your doctor will tell you that further testing is necessary in case of a high PSA level.
But apart from Flomax PSA Tests results, it is quite normal for men to have a rather low level of PSA in their blood. Prostate cancer and other related health conditions tend to raise PSA levels. So if your levels are even remotely higher than usual, your doctor will want to run further tests.
Your PSA Test results may be lowered when using any kind of medication used for the treatment of:
- activities or medical procedures that may stimulate the prostate
So you see that it is really important that you work together with your physician here. Your doctor will be able to better explain issues regarding this test with you, and advise you on whether you should take it or not.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Flomax
Before reviewing Flomaxs side effects after stopping the medication, we can list some adverse events patients can experience during treatment.
This enlarged prostate treatment may trigger the following side effects. The most common include :
- Reduced muscle strength and loss of energy
In most cases, the side effects listed above are not severe. They may begin a few days after taking Flomax and usually do not last more than a few weeks. Talk to your doctor if you feel severe side effects or they do not resolve by themselves.
Some patients may also experience severe side effects. They are rare but can become a problem. Thus, if you are experiencing the adverse events below, talk to your doctor right away .
- Priapism, which is a long-lasting and painful erection
- Low blood pressure
- An allergic reaction with rash, hives, itching, fever, trouble breathing, or swelling of your throat.
They are not common side effects but should be reported if you recently started treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Some patients may also experience erectile dysfunction. It is difficult to tell when it is triggered by drugs or an underlying medical or psychogenic cause. Still, it is worth your attention if the symptoms start right after taking your first dose.
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A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.
While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.
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How Do I Store And/or Throw Out This Drug
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Flomax if you are allergic to tamsulosin. Do not take this medicine together with similar medicines such as alfuzosin , doxazosin , prazosin , silodosin , or terazosin .
To make sure Flomax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
-
liver or kidney disease
-
a history of prostate cancer
-
low blood pressure or
-
an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Flomax can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. Do not stop using Flomax before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.
Although this medicine is not for use in women, Flomax is not expected to harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Flomax is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
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Cyp3a4 Inhibitors May Increase Blood Concentrations Of Dutasteride
Dutasteride is metabolised by CYP3A4. Concentrations of dutasteride in blood may therefore increase when taken with the CYP3A4 inhibitors verapamil, diltiazem, ritonavir, ketoconazole, cimetidine and ciprofloxacin however, this effect is not expected to be clinically significant and therefore no dose adjustment is considered necessary.7
There are no drug interaction studies for dutasteride combination treatment.16
Monitor Psa Levels To Assess Adherence And Prostate Cancer Risk
Serum PSA is used as a surrogate marker of BPH disease progression and prostate cancer.8 Dutasteride and other 5-ARIs reduce serum PSA levels by up to 50% after 612 months of treatment, even if prostate cancer is present.8 It is therefore important to measure serum PSA levels at 612 months after starting dutasteride or combination treatment to establish a new baseline. In order to compare treatment PSA levels with normal ranges, multiply the measured serum PSA value by 2 for men who have taken dutasteride or combination treatment for more than 6 months.29 Investigate any sustained PSA increases from new treatment baseline to rule out non-adherence, and consider biopsy to rule out prostate cancer.7,8
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, tamsulosin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tamsulosin:
More common
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- sensation of spinning
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
How Is This Drug Best Taken
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Capsules:
- Take 30 minutes after the same meal every day.
- Swallow whole. Do not chew, open, or crush.
Modified-release tablets:
- Take with or without food.
- Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
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What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take This Drug
- If you are allergic to this drug any part of this drug or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you take any drugs that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or depression. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking a drug that must not be taken with this drug.
- If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you are able to get pregnant or breast-feed. This drug is not approved for use in these patients. If you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding, talk with your doctor.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.