Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is a prescribed medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
BPH is a common prostate problem for men over the age of 50, making it more difficult to urinate and causing symptoms such as urinary retention and frequent urination.
For men who are showing symptoms of BPH, Flomax may help to improve urine flow by relaxing the muscles around the bladder, allowing urine to pass more easily.
However, Flomax side effects are quite common and can negatively impact the quality of life of men who are taking tamsulosin as treatment.
This article looks at common and severe side effects of Flomax and effective natural alternatives to Flomax that doctors overlook.
Possible side effects for men taking Flomax
When choosing a BPH treatment like Flomax, it’s crucial to consider potential side effects that can be experienced while using the drug.
Flomax has quite a few adverse reactions. This is a concerning factor and a critical reason why male patients need to pay close attention to the dosage instructions provided by their doctor.
Taking the drug exactly as prescribed may help to reduce the risk of these side effects. A doctor will also be able to assess a patient and determine if the risk of side effects is too great.
Most common side effects of Flomax
Some of the most common side effects that men may experience when they take Flomax (tamsulosin) include:
- Back pain
- Problems with their teeth
- Fevers
- Body aches
- Symptoms generally associated with the flu
- Chills
- A runny nose
- A stuffy nose
- Sinus pain
- Coughing
- A sore throat
- Insomnia and other related sleeping problems
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Risk of hypotension
Does Flomax have any sexual side effects?
Yes, certain side effects may alter the patient’s abilities during sexual intercourse.
Some of the side effects of Flomax sexually that a male patient may experience while taking this medicine include:
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Failure to ejaculate
- Decreased ease of ejaculation
- Retrograde ejaculation (release of semen into the bladder instead of out of the body)
These adverse events can make a man feel less interested in having sex. It may also cause problems with the patient’s fertility due to the decrease in semen volume.
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What other drugs will affect Flomax?
Some drugs may interact with Flomax. The most important interaction is with blood pressure medication. It is not advised to take Flomax with medicine used to treat hypertension.
Drug interaction and warnings also include that Flomax capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha-adrenergic blockers.
Other drugs that may also interact with Flomax include:
- Cialis
- Doxazosin
- Furosemide
- Lasix
- Lorazepam
- Myrbetriq
- Oxycodone
- Sildenafil
- Vicodin
Are Tamsulosin’s side effects permanent?
Most side effects of Flomax should clear up when the patient stops taking the drug. However, there are cases where permanent damage may occur.
This is usually the case with priapism, which is a rare side effect involving a prolonged, rigid erection.
For more information on natural alternatives to Flomax, click here.
Complications from taking Flomax
In addition to considering the potential side effects of Flomax, patients also need to consider other complications that may come from the regular use of tamsulosin.
These complications can sometimes be quite harmful. In fact, certain complications that have been linked to Flomax may cause permanent damage to some regions of the patient’s body – including the penis.
Priapism
Priapism occurs when the man has an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours.
Immediate medical assistance is needed because, if untreated, this complication can lead to permanent damage. When penile tissue is damaged, men can experience erectile dysfunction.
Risk of hypotension (low blood pressure)
Alpha-blocker medications, such as tamsulosin, relax the smooth muscles in the heart, which leads to low blood pressure.
A cohort clinical study found that alpha-blockers are associated with a small but significant increase in the risk of hospitalization or emergency room assessment for a fall, and an increase in the risk of fracture by 16% and of head trauma by 15% during the first 90 days of use.
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome
This is a rare complication only relevant to patients who previously underwent cataracts or glaucoma surgery.
IFIS causes the iris, the colored part of the eye, to become floppy and difficult to manage. Symptoms can include blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty focusing.
Stevens-johnson syndrome
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is another rare symptom that can be quite unpleasant. The condition is considered serious, too. It affects the mucous and skin membranes.
It will generally start as symptoms linked to the flu. Then, it’ll result in a purplish rash that may be accompanied by blisters.
The rash may spread to several regions of the patient’s body. Other signs and symptoms may also develop.
Allergic reaction
There is a small risk of experiencing an allergic reaction. This can sometimes be dangerous. Untreated, the allergic reaction can, in rare cases, lead to a life-threatening complication.
Signs of an allergic reaction will usually include:
- Hives
- Breathing difficulties
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling of the throat and/or tongue
What is an alternative to Flomax?
Flomax is not the only drug that can be used to treat an enlarged prostate. Patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia need to ensure they are educated about all their options. In some cases, an alternative drug may yield better results.
It is always important to consider the safety profile of the preferred drug. The safety profile is unique to the specific patient.
Some alternatives are more popular than others. It is essential that the individual considers all of the alternative options that are available to them.
Uroxatral
This drug (also known as alfuzosin) is classified as an alpha-adrenergic blocker. It also helps to improve the relaxation of muscles in the prostate and the bladder’s neck.
The major advantage here is a reduction in sexual side effects. Flomax is known to cause ejaculatory problems. This is not a common side-effect in men who take Uroxatral.
There are, however, a few side effects that can still happen with Uroxatral. These usually include:
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Headaches
Serious side effects that may occur include allergic reactions, priapism, skin reactions, and orthostatic hypotension.
Avodart
Another alternative option is Avodart, a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Avodart aims to reduce the size of the prostate by preventing the conversion of testosterone into the more aggressive dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is believed to be the main cause of prostate growth in men.
There are still a few side effects that men need to take note of. These may include:
- Ejaculatory issues
- A reduction in sex drive
- Breasts may become painful
- Some men may experience enlargement in their breasts
- Erectile dysfunction
Rapaflo
Rapaflo is an alpha-blocking agent that causes muscles that are located near the urethra to relax.
Retrograde ejaculation is one of the potential issues that men may experience. This side effect may remain and is a common reason for male patients to stop using the drug.
Other reported side effects of Rapaflo include:
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling weak
- Stuffy/runny nose
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness and, in rarer cases, fainting
- Headache
- Allergic reaction
- Reduced liver function
Our Natural Flomax Alternative: Ben’s Total Health
While tamsulosin may be effective in relieving BPH symptoms, it also causes side effects and complications that are a cause for concern to many male patients.
On top of that, Flomax does not treat the prostate at all and merely masks the symptoms.
For these reasons, some men choose to seek natural alternatives instead of relying on medication for treatment.
Ben’s Total Health for The Prostate is an all-natural, clinical-grade, prostate-relief supplement formulated to help lower your PSA, shrink your prostate, and relieve urinary symptoms.
It has a complete spectrum of 21 vitamins, 69 trace minerals, and natural herbs developed for the nutritional demands of men that have been shown in clinical trials to help men with prostate disease.
Why Choose Ben’s Natural Health?
At Ben’s Natural Health, our motto is to combine holistic healing with modern science.
Ben’s Natural Health is the world’s first high-quality, all-natural, scientifically proven clinical supplement company. Our supplements are effective, natural, and 100% side effect free.
Moreover, at Ben’s Natural Health, we have four rules for all our supplements:
- We only use the highest-quality ingredients
- We only use them if they have been proven to work in independent, peer-reviewed, double-blind studies
- With all our supplements, we find a way to get every ingredient into a single bottle
- We always formulate them in clinically significant doses of the most bioavailable form.
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Get help with your prostate problems from Ben’s Natural Health
If you are suffering from Flomax side effects and want a natural way to reverse your prostate disease, book a free health consultation to speak with one of our expert advisors.
This fifteen-minute consult gives you the opportunity to ask questions and receive tailored advice to your concerns.
Conclusion
Flomax (Tamsulosin) is a popular prescription medication for BPH. While it can relieve BPH symptoms, it can cause side effects and complications that greatly affect your quality of life.
That’s why at Ben’s Natural Health, we prefer natural alternatives to Flomax.
Click the link below to learn more about 6 natural alternatives to Flomax that are side effect free.
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6 Natural Alternatives To Flomax With No Major Side Effects.
