Tamsulosin with Avanafil Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Tamsulosin
- Flomax®
- Jalyn® (as a combination product containing Dutasteride, Tamsulosin)
- Tamsulosin
Brand Names Associated with Avanafil
- Avanafil
- Stendra®

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 11, 2023
Interaction Effect
Increased risk of hypotension
Interaction Summary
Concomitant use of avanafil and tamsulosin may increase the risk of symptomatic hypotension due to additive vasodilation. Standing and supine blood pressures were decreased when avanafil was coadministered tamsulosin in a randomized, double-blind study of healthy subjects. When concomitant use is necessary, initiate avanafil at a dose of 50 mg, and initiate it only in patients stable on tamsulosin therapy. When initiating tamsulosin in patients already receiving avanafil, begin tamsulosin at the lowest dose.
Severity
Moderate
Onset
Rapid
Evidence
Established
How To Manage Interaction
Concomitant use of tamsulosin and avanafil may increase the risk of symptomatic hypotension. When concomitant use is necessary, initiate avanafil at a dose of 50 mg, and initiate it only in patients stable on tamsulosin therapy. When initiating tamsulosin in patients already receiving avanafil, begin tamsulosin at the lowest dose.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Additive vasodilation
Literature Reports
A) Coadministration of avanafil with tamsulosin was associated with a mean maximum decrease in supine and standing blood pressure of -3.1 mmHg (95% CI, -6.4 mmHg to 0.1 mmHg) and -3.6 mmHg (95% CI, -8.1 mmHg to 0.9 mmHg), respectively, compared with tamsulosin plus placebo in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial (n=24). Healthy subjects received tamsulosin 0.4 mg daily for 11 days; avanafil 200 mg or placebo was administered on days 8 and 11, 3.3 hours after the tamsulosin dose, so that both drugs would reach peak plasma levels at the same time .
Tamsulosin Overview
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Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) which include difficulty urinating (hesitation, dribbling, weak stream, and incomplete bladder emptying), painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Tamsulosin is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder so that urine can flow easily.
Avanafil Overview
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Avanafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED: impotence; inability to get or keep an erection in men). Avanafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. This increased blood flow can cause an erection. Avanafil does not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Avanafil does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.