Tamsulosin

In today's world, Tamsulosin is a topic that has become relevant in different areas of society. Its impact extends from politics to people's daily lives, generating debate and reflection around its influence and consequences. Throughout history, Tamsulosin has been the object of study and interest, which has led to a deep and varied analysis of its implications. In this article, we will explore different perspectives and approaches around Tamsulosin, with the aim of understanding its importance and scope today. By reviewing different studies and research, as well as presenting expert opinions, we aim to provide a comprehensive and enriching vision of Tamsulosin, which contributes to the knowledge and understanding of this topic that is so relevant today.

Tamsulosin
Clinical data
Pronunciation/tæmˈsuːləsɪn/[1]
tam-SOO-lə-sin
Trade namesFlomax, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa698012
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B2
Routes of
administration		By mouth
Drug classα1 blocker
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability100% (by mouth)
MetabolismLiver
Elimination half-life9–13 hours
Excretion76% Kidney
Identifiers
  • (R)-5-(2-{amino}propyl)-2-methoxybenzene-1-sulfonamide
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.109.780 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC20H28N2O5S
Molar mass408.51 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CCOc1ccccc1OCCN(C)Cc1ccc(OC)c(c1)S(=O)(=O)N
  • InChI=1S/C20H28N2O5S/c1-4-26-17-7-5-6-8-18(17)27-12-11-22-15(2)13-16-9-10-19(25-3)20(14-16)28(21,23)24/h5-10,14-15,22H,4,11-13H2,1-3H3,(H2,21,23,24)/t15-/m1/s1 checkY
  • Key:DRHKJLXJIQTDTD-OAHLLOKOSA-N checkY
  (verify)
Tamsulosin – ARISTO Pharma – 0.4 mg prolonged-release tablets – Urologikum

Tamsulosin, sold under the brand name Flomax among others, is a medication used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis.[6][7] It is also used to help with the passage of kidney stones.[8] The evidence for benefit with a kidney stone is better when the stone is larger.[8] Tamsulosin is taken by mouth.[6]

Common side effects include dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea, blurry vision, and sexual problems.[9][6] Other side effects may include feeling lightheaded with standing due to changes in blood pressure, and angioedema.[9] Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker and works by relaxing muscles in the prostate.[10] Specifically it is an α1-adrenergic receptor blocker.[6]

Tamsulosin was approved for medical use in the United States in 1997.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[11][9] In 2022, it was the twentieth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 25 million prescriptions.[12][13]

Medical uses

Flomax 0.4 mg oral capsule

Tamsulosin is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to help with the passage of kidney stones.[8][14] Tamsulosin, however, appears to be effective only for stones over 4 mm and less than 10 mm in size.[8]

Tamsulosin is also used as an add-on treatment for acute urinary retention. People may void more successfully after catheter removal if they are taking tamsulosin. People taking tamsulosin also are less likely to need repeat catheterization.[15]

Tamsulosin does not decrease the overall size of the prostate in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and is not recommended for the prevention of prostate cancer.[16]

Combination therapy

The results of the CombAT (combination of dutasteride (Avodart) and tamsulosin (Duodart)) trial in 2008, demonstrated that treatment with the combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin provides greater symptom benefits compared to monotherapy with either agent alone for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.[17] The combination medication dutasteride/tamsulosin (Jalyn) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2010.[18]

Adverse effects

Mechanism

Main article: Alpha blocker

Tamsulosin is a selective α1 receptor antagonist that has preferential selectivity for the α1A receptor in the prostate versus the α1B receptor in the blood vessels.[24]

When alpha 1 receptors in the bladder neck, prostate, ureter, and urethra are blocked, a relaxation in smooth muscle tissue results.[16] This mechanism decreases resistance to urinary flow, reduces discomfort associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and facilitates passage of kidney stones.[16]

Brand names

Tamsulosin was first sold in 1997 under the brand name Flomax. The US patent expired in October 2009.[25] The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved generic versions in March 2010.[11] In 2010, tamsulosin was available as OTC medication in UK.[26]

It is sold by various companies, including Boehringer Ingelheim and CSL.[citation needed] Tamsulosin hydrochloride extended-release capsules are sold under the brand names Urimax 0.4 (India),Tamlocept 0.4 (India), Flomax, Flomaxtra, Contiflo XL, bestflo, Mecir LP (France), Urimax, Pamsvax, and Pradif, although generic, unmodified-release capsules are still approved and sold in many countries (such as Canada). Generic extended-release tablets are sold in most countries of the European Economic Area (EEA). In Mexico, it is sold as Secotex, as Harnal D in Japan and Indonesia, and as Harnal OCAS (oral controlled absorption system) in Thailand.[27] In Egypt,[28] Italy, Russia and Iceland, it is sold under the brand name Omnic by Astellas Pharma Europe. Tamsulosin hydrochloride is sold in Bangladesh under the brand names Uromax, Prostanil MR, Tamisol MR, and Tamsin.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Tamsulosin". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.
  2. ^ "Product monograph brand safety updates". Health Canada. February 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Flomaxtra XL, 400 micrograms, film-coated prolonged-release tablet – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). 12 November 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Faramsil 400 microgram Prolonged-release Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). 4 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Flomax– tamsulosin hydrochloride capsule". DailyMed. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Monograph for Professionals". Drugs.com. AHFS. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Prostatitis". NHS. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d Wang RC, Smith-Bindman R, Whitaker E, Neilson J, Allen IE, Stoller ML, et al. (March 2017). "Effect of Tamsulosin on Stone Passage for Ureteral Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis". Annals of Emergency Medicine. 69 (3): 353–361.e3. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.06.044. PMID 27616037.
  9. ^ a b c British national formulary: BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. p. 767. ISBN 9780857113382.
  10. ^ Hutchison LC, Sleeper RB (2010). Fundamentals of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy: An Evidence-Based Approach. ASHP. p. 209. ISBN 9781585283057.
  11. ^ a b "FDA Approves First Generic Tamsulosin to Treat Enlarged Prostate Gland". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2 March 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2025 – via PR Newswire.
  12. ^ "The Top 300 of 2022". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Tamsulosin Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2013 - 2022". ClinCalc. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Study Shows Use of Tamsulosin or Nifedipine Helps Patients to Clear Ureteral Stone Fragments Faster and Reduces Rate of Recurrence" (Press release).
  15. ^ Lucas MG, Stephenson TP, Nargund V (February 2005). "Tamsulosin in the management of patients in acute urinary retention from benign prostatic hyperplasia". BJU International. 95 (3): 354–357. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2005.05299.x. PMID 15679793. S2CID 30254915.
  16. ^ a b c Lewis SM, Dirksen SR, Heitkemper MM, Bucher LH (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: assessment and management of clinical problems (9th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri. ISBN 978-0-323-10089-2. OCLC 228373703.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  17. ^ Roehrborn CG, Siami P, Barkin J, Damião R, Major-Walker K, Morrill B, et al. (February 2008). "The effects of dutasteride, tamsulosin and combination therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic enlargement: 2-year results from the CombAT study". The Journal of Urology. 179 (2): 616–621, discussion 621. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2007.09.084. PMID 18082216.
  18. ^ "Drug Approval Package: Jalyn (dutasteride and tamsulosin) NDA #022460". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 3 February 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  19. ^ Taylor J (16 November 2006). "Good Cataract Surgery Outcomes Possible in IFIS Due to Tamsulosin". Medscape. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  20. ^ Bird ST, Delaney JA, Brophy JM, Etminan M, Skeldon SC, Hartzema AG (November 2013). "Tamsulosin treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia and risk of severe hypotension in men aged 40-85 years in the United States: risk window analyses using between and within patient methodology". BMJ. 347: f6320. doi:10.1136/bmj.f6320. PMC 3817852. PMID 24192967.
  21. ^ Ramirez J (November 2013). "Severe hypotension associated with α blocker tamsulosin". BMJ. 347: f6492. doi:10.1136/bmj.f6492. hdl:10906/78488. PMID 24192968. S2CID 24324483.
  22. ^ Page RL, O'Bryant CL, Cheng D, Dow TJ, Ky B, Stein CM, et al. (August 2016). "Drugs That May Cause or Exacerbate Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association". Circulation. 134 (6): e32 – e69. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000426. PMID 27400984.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: overridden setting (link)
  23. ^ "Tamsulosin Side Effects". Drugs.com. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  24. ^ Shen H (2008). Illustrated Pharmacology Memory Cards: PharMnemonics. Minireview. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-59541-101-3.
  25. ^ "Flomax – Big Patent Expirations of 2010". 10 February 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  26. ^ "OTC tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia". Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. 48 (10): 113–116. October 2010. doi:10.1136/dtb.2010.10.0052. PMID 20926447. S2CID 32141889.
  27. ^ "Drugs.com Database".
  28. ^ "Novartis hits Astellas with transplant drug generic". Reuters. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.