Generic Flomax

Generic for Flomax: An Overview

Flomax^® (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is a prescription medication that has been licensed as a treatment for an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic Lifta hypertrophy, or BPH. Flomax is part of a class of drugs known as alpha blockers.

 

Brand-name Flomax is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic Flomax is also available.

 

Strengths of Generic Flomax

Like brand-name Flomax, the generic version comes in one strength -- tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules.

 

Who Makes Generic Flomax?

Generic Flomax is made by various manufacturers, such as:

 

• Actavis
• Global Pharmaceuticals
• Mylan Pharmaceuticals
• Sandoz
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• UDL Laboratories.
 

Is Generic Tamsulosin as Good as Flomax?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. Generic tamsulosin capsules have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Flomax.

 

However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people withallergies or sensitivities.

Flomax Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with Flomax^®(tamsulosin hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes this drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Flomax well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.

 

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Flomax. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Flomax side effects with you.)

 

Common Side Effects of Flomax

Flomax has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials, with thousands of people being evaluated. In these studies, side effects occurring in the group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

 

Based on these studies, the most common Flomax side effects include:

 

• Abnormal ejaculation -- occurring in up to 18.1 percent of people(see Flomax Sexual Side Effects)
• Runny or stuffy nose -- in up to 17.9 percent
• Dizziness -- in up to 17.1 percent
• Infections, including the common cold or flu -- in up to 10.8 percent
• General body pain -- in up to 8.5 percent
• Back pain -- in up to 8.3 percent
• Diarrhea -- in up to 6.2 percent
• Sore throat -- in up to 5.8 percent.
   

There are several less common side effects of Flomax that occurred in 1 to 5 percent of people:

 

• Increased coughing
• Sleepiness
• Chest pain
• Upset stomach (nausea)
• Sinus infection (sinusitis)
• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Blurred vision
• Tooth problems
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Spinning sensation (vertigo).