Tamsulosin
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| Pronunciation | /tæmˈsuːləsɪn/ tam-SOO-lə-sin |
| Trade names | Flomax, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a698012 |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| Drug class | α1 blocker |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 100% (by mouth) |
| Metabolism | Liver |
| Elimination half-life | 9–13 hours |
| Excretion | 76% Kidney |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.109.780 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C20H28N2O5S |
| Molar mass | 408.51 g·mol−1 |
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Tamsulosin, sold under the brand name Flomax among others, is a medication used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis in men. It is also used to help with the passage of kidney stones. The evidence for benefit with a kidney stone is better when the stone is larger. Tamsulosin is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include dizziness, headache, insomnia, nausea, blurry vision, and sexual problems. Other side effects may include feeling lightheaded with standing due to changes in blood pressure, and angioedema. Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker and works by relaxing muscles in the prostate. Specifically it is an α1-adrenergic receptor blocker.
Tamsulosin was approved for medical use in the United States in 1997. It is available as a generic medication. In 2022, it was the twentieth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 25 million prescriptions.