The prevalence of BPH increases with age and it is projected to increase in the years to come.1 Studies indicate that BPH affects 50% of men over age 60 and almost all men over 80. Despite these large numbers, BPH remains underdetected and underdiagnosed, with an estimated 3 out of 4 men going undiagnosed.2
Men are often reluctant to bring up their urinary symptoms with their physicians, which can make the diagnosis of BPH challenging.3 However, BPH screening is relatively simple, and there are many available treatment options.
Frequent urination is not simply an inconvenience for your patients - it can affect many aspects of a man's life. Nocturia, in particular, affects his ability to sleep and may also interrupt sleep for his partner. The overall impact BPH symptoms can have on your patients' lives should not be underestimated, since data show that men suffering from even mild BPH can be significantly bothered by their symptoms.1 Moreover, it is important for you to be proactive, since BPH can lead to complications if left untreated.4
There is a wealth of information on this site designed to help you to recognize and treat symptoms in patients who have BPH:
Learn how to start the conversation with your patients
Use our screening tool for an easy way to help identify patients with BPH symptoms
Learn about important considerations when discussing BPH with your patients
Be sure to come back to www.4FLOMAX.com often and use our resources to help improve your management of patients who have BPH.
Explore a variety of useful tools and resources for your practice
| Learn about starting the conversation with your patients |
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. Hong SJ, Rayford W, Valiquette L, Emberton M. The importance of patient perception in the clinical assessment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its management. Br J U Int. 2005;95:15-19.
2. Decision Resources Patient Base. Data accessed on July 18, 2006.
3. Collins MFM, Friedman RH, Ash A, et al. Underdetection of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia in a general medicine practice. J Gen Intern Med. 1996;11:513-518.
4. AUA Practice Guidelines Committee. Diagnosis and treatment recommendations: AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). J Urol. 2003;170:530-547.
