Below is a list of answers to common questions from healthcare professionals about FLOMAX.
Before prescribing FLOMAX capsules, please see the full Prescribing Information.
What are the contraindications for FLOMAX?
What is the recommended dose for FLOMAX?
Is FLOMAX reimbursed by managed care organizations?
What is the Matter of FACT™ basics?
FLOMAX is indicated to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). FLOMAX is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension.
What are the contraindications for FLOMAX?
FLOMAX capsules are contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to tamsulosin HCl or any component of FLOMAX capsules.
What is the recommended dose for FLOMAX?
FLOMAX capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. It should be administered approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day.
For those patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after two to four weeks of dosing, the dose of FLOMAX capsules can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily.
Is FLOMAX reimbursed by managed care organizations?
FLOMAX is reimbursed by 98% of managed care organizations.1
FLOMAX should be stored at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).
What is the Matter of FACT™ basics?
The Matter of FACT™ basics is a free resource for patients and their loved ones that provides facts about male urinary symptoms associated with BPH and how they may be managed with FLOMAX. Members can access downloadable educational materials and receive ongoing communications that encourage discussion about symptoms and treatment options.
Important Safety Information
Flomax® (tamsulosin HCl) capsules are indicated to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). FLOMAX is not indicated to treat hypertension.
FLOMAX is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to tamsulosin HCl or any of its components.
As with other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, there is a potential risk of syncope. When beginning treatment, or increasing the dose of FLOMAX, patients should be cautioned to avoid driving or performing hazardous tasks where injury could result should syncope occur.
FLOMAX capsules 0.4 mg should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g.,ketoconazole).
Rarely (probably less than 1 in 50,000 patients) FLOMAX, like other alpha-1 antagonists, has been associated with priapism. Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not properly treated, patients must be advised about the seriousness of the condition.
Carcinoma of the prostate and BPH cause many of the same symptoms. Patients should be evaluated prior to the start of FLOMAX capsules therapy to rule out the presence of carcinoma of the prostate.
Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients treated with alpha-1 blockers, including FLOMAX capsules. Patients should be advised that if they are considering cataract surgery, to tell their ophthalmologist that they have taken FLOMAX capsules.
In patients with sulfa allergy, allergic reaction to FLOMAX capsules has been rarely reported. If a patient reports a serious or life-threatening sulfa allergy, caution is warranted.
FLOMAX capsules should NOT be used in combination with other alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. Caution is advised when alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, including FLOMAX, are co-administered with PDE 5 inhibitors, as this can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension.
FLOMAX capsules (particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg) should be used with caution in combination with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin), strong (e.g., paroxetine) or moderate (e.g., terbinafine) inhibitors of CYP2D6, or in patients known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers.
Caution should be exercised with concomitant administration of warfarin and FLOMAX and should be used with caution in combination with cimetidine, particularly at doses higher than 0.4 mg.
The most common side effects are dizziness, abnormal ejaculation, and rhinitis.
Before prescribing FLOMAX, please see the Full Prescribing Information.
1. Verispan's Managed Care Formulary Drug Audit, Spring 2005. The spring 2005 data represent an estimated 58% of all US HMO subscribers whose prescriptions benefits are controlled by formularies.
