Some of the most common side effects associated with tamsulosin include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, drowsiness, difficulty with ejaculation, weakness, runny nose or stuffy nose, sore throat, constipation, lower sex drive, upset stomach and back pain. Because of the increased risk of dizziness, it is best to wait and see how tamsulosin impacts you before operating a car or other heavy machinery.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects – though these are among the most common. Seek medical advice right away if you experience symptoms such as long-lasting, painful erections, rashes, itching, hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, or other signs of infection while taking tamsulosin.
As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with, as well as any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with tamsulosin.
Talk to your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs, hypotension (low blood pressure), severe kidney disease, or severe liver disease, as tamsulosin can make these conditions worse.
Tamsulosin can interact with other forms of medication and substances, causing potentially serious adverse effects. Be sure to let your doctor know if you’re taking other alpha-blocker medications such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and terazosin (Hytrin); anticoagulants (blood thinners), cimetidine (Tagamet), and medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra), as these may impact your treatment’s effectiveness or cause potentially dangerous or life-threatening side effects.
If you are planning on having an eye operation (such as cataract surgery or glaucoma surgery) during your treatment, make sure your doctor knows that you are taking or have taken tamsulosin in the past 9 months as a serious eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) can occur.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.