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Tamsulosin

Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, an enlarged prostate) in men.

Brand name Flomax
Drug classes Adrenergic Alpha-antagonists
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 74 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026
Tamsulosin at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Tamsulosin (Flomax), a familiar first choice for an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes the prostate and bladder-neck muscles to ease urine flow, and it has been on the market since the late 1990s and is available as a generic. Most men tolerate it well, and the side effects people notice are lightheadedness, a stuffy nose and less or no fluid at ejaculation, which is not dangerous but worth expecting. The one thing to watch for is a blood pressure drop when you stand, which can cause dizziness or fainting early on, so get up slowly.

Clinical pearls

  • Take it about 30 minutes after the same meal each day, swallowing the capsule whole without opening or chewing it.
  • If you miss several days, restart at the lower starting dose rather than picking up where you left off.
  • Tell any eye surgeon you take it, or took it months ago, before cataract or glaucoma surgery, since it can complicate the operation.
  • Erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil or tadalafil add to the blood pressure drop, and ketoconazole should not be combined with it.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asCapsule
Earliest FDA record1997
Companies listing it with the FDA35
FDA label last updatedJul 25, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Tamsulosin, written from its FDA label.

What Tamsulosin is used for

▾

Tamsulosin is approved to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause bothersome urinary symptoms.

  • Flomax capsules are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH
  • Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH
  • Neither Flomax nor tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are approved to treat high blood pressure, even though they work on a related biological pathway

How Tamsulosin works

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BPH causes urinary symptoms in two ways: the prostate physically grows larger (a static problem), and the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck tighten (a dynamic problem). Tamsulosin addresses the dynamic side — it blocks alpha-1 adrenoceptors, particularly the alpha-1A subtype, which makes up roughly 70% of alpha-1 receptors in the prostate. Blocking these receptors allows the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to relax, which widens the urinary channel and improves urine flow.

Tamsulosin dosage

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Tamsulosin capsules are taken by mouth once a day, about 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Consistent timing with food helps smooth out the drug's peaks in the bloodstream and reduces the risk of dizziness. The capsules must be swallowed whole — crushing, chewing, or opening them is not recommended.

  • If your dose is increased and you don't respond after 2–4 weeks, follow your prescriber's guidance
  • If you stop taking tamsulosin for several days, restart at the lower starting dose — do not jump back to a higher dose without your prescriber's direction

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Tamsulosin prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Signs and symptoms of BPH
    • 0.4 mg once daily, administered approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day
    • Capsules should not be crushed, chewed or opened
    • For patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing, the dose can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily
    • If discontinued or interrupted for several days at either the 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg dose, t
    • Maximum: 0.8 mg once daily
    • Take approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day; 0.4 mg should not be used with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole)
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Tamsulosin hydrochloride 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. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should not be crushed, chewed or opened. For those patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing, the dose of tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . If tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules administration is discontinued or interrupted for several days at either the 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg dose, therapy should be started again with the 0.4 mg once-daily dose. • 0.4 mg once daily taken approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should not be crushed, chewed or opened. ( 2 ) • Can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily for patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing (2) • If discontinued or interrupted for several days, therapy should start again with the 0.4 mg once-daily dose (2)

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Tamsulosin side effects

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The most commonly reported side effects with tamsulosin capsules include:

Common side effects

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Headache
  • Runny or stuffy nose (rhinitis)
  • Abnormal ejaculation (including reduced or absent ejaculation)
  • Weakness or fatigue (asthenia)
  • Back pain
  • Diarrhea or nausea
  • Drowsiness (somnolence)
  • Abnormal ejaculation — including reduced volume or retrograde ejaculation (semen going backward into the bladder)
  • Decreased sex drive

When to get medical help

  • Call your doctor if you faint or feel like you're going to faint, especially when standing up quickly (orthostatic hypotension)
  • Seek emergency care immediately for a prolonged, painful erection unrelated to sexual activity (priapism) — this is rare but can cause permanent damage if untreated
  • Tell your eye surgeon you take or have taken tamsulosin before any cataract or glaucoma surgery — it can cause a complication called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS)
  • Get medical help right away for a severe allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
  • Call your doctor if you develop a skin reaction such as blistering or peeling

Seek medical attention promptly for fainting, a prolonged painful erection (priapism), severe skin reactions (blistering or peeling), or signs of a serious allergic reaction such as facial swelling or trouble breathing.

Tamsulosin warnings and precautions

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  • Dizziness and fainting (orthostatic hypotension): Blood pressure can drop when you stand up, especially early in treatment. Stand up slowly and avoid situations where fainting could cause injury.
  • Priapism: Although rare (fewer than 1 in 50,000 patients), a prolonged and painful erection can occur. This is a medical emergency — if it lasts more than a few hours, go to the ER immediately, as untreated priapism can lead to permanent impotence.
  • Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS): During cataract or glaucoma surgery, the iris can behave abnormally in patients who take or have taken tamsulosin. Tell your eye surgeon before any eye procedure, even if you stopped tamsulosin months ago.
  • Prostate cancer screening: BPH and prostate cancer can exist at the same time. Get screened before starting tamsulosin and periodically while taking it.
  • Sulfa allergy: Rarely, people with a sulfa allergy have had allergic reactions to tamsulosin. Mention any sulfa allergy to your doctor.

Tamsulosin interactions

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Tamsulosin is broken down by liver enzymes (mainly CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), so drugs that affect those enzymes can change how much tamsulosin stays in your system:

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole): Must not be combined — they can more than double tamsulosin levels, raising the risk of serious side effects
  • Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., erythromycin) or CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., paroxetine, terbinafine): Use with caution; can meaningfully increase tamsulosin exposure
  • Cimetidine (heartburn medication): Can raise tamsulosin levels noticeably; use with caution, especially at higher doses
  • Other alpha-blockers: Should not be used together — additive blood pressure lowering is expected
  • PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil for erectile dysfunction): Both drug classes lower blood pressure; combining them can cause a significant and symptomatic blood pressure drop
  • Warfarin (blood thinner): The interaction is not fully understood; use caution and tell your prescriber

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Tamsulosin prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole): Ketoconazole increased tamsulosin Cmax and AUC by a factor of 2.2 and 2.8, respectively. Tamsulosin 0.4 mg should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4.
  • Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin): The effects on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin have not been evaluated. Use with caution, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg).
  • Strong inhibitors of CYP2D6 (e.g., paroxetine): Paroxetine increased tamsulosin Cmax and AUC by a factor of 1.3 and 1.6, respectively; a similar increase in exposure is expected in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Use with caution, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg).
  • Moderate inhibitors of CYP2D6 (e.g., terbinafine): The effects on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin have not been evaluated. Use with caution, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg).
  • Combination of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors: Not evaluated, but there is a potential for significant increase in tamsulosin exposure.
  • Cimetidine: Cimetidine decreased tamsulosin clearance by 26%, resulting in a moderate increase in tamsulosin AUC (44%).
  • Other alpha adrenergic blocking agents: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions have not been determined; interactions may be expected.
  • PDE5 inhibitors: Both are vasodilators that can lower blood pressure; concomitant use can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension. Caution is advised.
  • Warfarin: A definitive interaction study was not conducted; results from limited in vitro and in vivo studies are inconclusive. Caution should be exercised with concomitant administration.
  • Nifedipine, atenolol, enalapril, digoxin, theophylline, furosemide: No dosage adjustment is necessary; furosemide produced an 11% to 12% reduction in tamsulosin Cmax and AUC, expected to be clinically insignificant. Dosage adjustments are not necessary.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules, 0.4 mg should not be used with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole). Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should be used with caution in combination with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin), in combination with strong (e.g., paroxetine) or moderate (e.g., terbinafine) inhibitors of CYP2D6, or in patients known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg) ( 5.2 , 7.1 , 12.3 ) • Concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors with tamsulosin can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension ( 5.2 , 7.3 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Cytochrome P450 Inhibition Strong and Moderate Inhibitors of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6 Tamsulosin is extensively metabolized, mainly by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Concomitant treatment with ketoconazole (a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4) resulted in an increase in the C max and AUC of tamsulosin by a factor of 2.2 and 2.8, respectively [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . The effects of concomitant administration of a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor (e.g., erythromycin) on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin have not been evaluated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Concomitant treatment with paroxetine (a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6) resulted in an increase in the C max and AUC of tamsulosin by a factor of 1.3 and 1.6, respectively [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . A similar increase in exposure is expected in CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PM) as compared to extensive metabolizers (EM).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿18 supplements and herbs with documented Tamsulosin interactions, ranked by severity Check Tamsulosin against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Tamsulosin

▾
  • Do not take tamsulosin if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or to any of its ingredients
  • Tell your doctor about a sulfa allergy — allergic reactions have been rarely reported in people with sulfa allergy
  • Tamsulosin is not approved for use in women or children
  • Older adults should be aware that some may be more sensitive to dizziness and blood pressure effects
  • Tell your eye doctor or surgeon you take tamsulosin before any cataract or glaucoma procedure — even if you have recently stopped the medication
  • Get screened for prostate cancer before starting treatment, as BPH and prostate cancer can coexist
  • People with end-stage kidney disease have not been studied; discuss with your prescriber
  • People with severe liver disease have not been studied; discuss with your prescriber

Tamsulosin overdose

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Taking too much tamsulosin can cause a significant drop in blood pressure. If this happens, lying flat can help restore blood pressure while medical help is sought. In more serious cases, intravenous fluids or medications to raise blood pressure may be needed in a medical setting.

Because tamsulosin binds very tightly to proteins in the blood (94–99%), dialysis is not expected to remove it effectively. If you suspect an overdose, contact Poison Control or go to an emergency room right away.

What Tamsulosin does in the body

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Tamsulosin relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck by selectively blocking alpha-1 adrenoceptors — particularly the alpha-1A subtype abundant in prostate tissue. This relaxation widens the urinary outlet and improves urine flow, reducing the bothersome symptoms of BPH. Because of its selectivity for prostate alpha-1A receptors over alpha-1B receptors found in blood vessels, tamsulosin has less effect on blood pressure than less selective alpha-blockers — though blood pressure effects can still occur.

How your body processes Tamsulosin

▾

Tamsulosin is well absorbed from the capsule — more than 90% enters the bloodstream, with absorption being somewhat higher on an empty stomach than with food. Taking it with a meal slows absorption slightly and reduces peak blood levels, which is why it is recommended to take it after a meal for a smoother effect. The drug is broken down mainly by liver enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6), with less than 10% leaving the body unchanged in urine; most is excreted in urine as metabolites, with some in stool. The effective half-life — the time for the body to clear half the drug — is roughly 14 to 15 hours with once-daily dosing, and steady drug levels in the blood are reached by about day 5 of regular use.

How to store Tamsulosin

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Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C–30°C (59°F–86°F) .

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

18

Supplements & herbs that interact with Tamsulosin

18 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Tamsulosin in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 8
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major BUTCHER'S BROOM Moderate COFFEE CHARCOAL Moderate EUROPEAN MANDRAKE Moderate GLUCOMANNAN Moderate GUAR GUM Moderate GUM ARABIC Moderate SLIPPERY ELM Moderate +10 more
Every supplement checked against Tamsulosin — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 8 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Tamsulosin against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Tamsulosin: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Tamsulosin — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly is tamsulosin supposed to do for me?

▾
Tamsulosin is designed to ease the urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate — things like a weak stream, straining to start, or feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bladder. It works by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and bladder opening, which makes it easier for urine to flow through. It doesn't shrink the prostate itself, but most men notice real improvement in their symptoms within a few weeks.

When and how should I take my capsule?

▾
Take it once a day, about 30 minutes after the same meal each day — for example, every morning after breakfast. Consistency matters here. Swallow the capsule whole; don't crush, chew, or open it. If you've skipped doses for several days in a row, don't just restart at your previous dose — check with your prescriber first, because you'll likely need to go back to the starting dose.

Will tamsulosin affect my ability to ejaculate?

▾
It can, yes — this is one of the more common side effects, and it's worth knowing about upfront. Some men notice reduced ejaculation volume or what's called retrograde ejaculation, where semen goes backward into the bladder instead of out. It's not harmful or painful, but it can be surprising. If this bothers you, talk to your doctor — but don't stop the medication without checking in first.

Can tamsulosin make me dizzy or faint?

▾
It can, especially when you first start or when you stand up quickly. Tamsulosin relaxes blood vessels a little, which can cause your blood pressure to dip momentarily — a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness when you get up. To reduce this risk, stand up slowly, and be careful in situations where a sudden fall could hurt you. If you actually faint, that's worth calling your doctor about right away.

I'm scheduled for cataract surgery — does my eye surgeon need to know I take this?

▾
Absolutely, and this is really important. Tamsulosin can affect the way the iris (the colored part of your eye) behaves during cataract or glaucoma surgery — a condition called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome. Your eye surgeon needs to know you take tamsulosin so they can prepare for it. And here's the key point: tell them even if you recently stopped taking tamsulosin, because the effect can persist for months after you've stopped.

Are there any medications I should avoid while taking tamsulosin?

▾
Yes, a few important ones. Don't take tamsulosin with antifungal drugs like ketoconazole — the combination can raise tamsulosin to unsafe levels. Be cautious with certain antibiotics (like erythromycin) and antidepressants (like paroxetine). Also, if you take erectile dysfunction medications like sildenafil or tadalafil, both of those and tamsulosin lower blood pressure — combining them can cause a significant drop. Always run your full medication list by your pharmacist or prescriber when starting tamsulosin.

Is Tamsulosin available over the counter?

▾
No. Tamsulosin is a prescription medicine: every Tamsulosin product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Tamsulosin first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Tamsulosin is from 1997: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Tamsulosin was first used.

Who makes Tamsulosin?

▾
35 companies currently list Tamsulosin products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, A-S Medication Solutions, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Tamsulosin on HelloPharmacist

📊Tamsulosin supplement interactions18 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerTamsulosin vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Tamsulosin NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Tamsulosin Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Tamsulosin forms and strengths (how it comes)

Tamsulosin is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Tamsulosin inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Capsule

By mouth
Brands Flomax
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Flomax capsules are used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Neither Flomax nor tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are approved to treat high blood pressure
Important instructions
  • Flomax capsules and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are each taken once daily, approximately 30 minutes after the same meal each day
  • Flomax capsules and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules must be swallowed whole — do not crush, chew, or open them
  • If Flomax or tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are stopped or missed for several days, restart at the lower starting dose as directed by your prescriber
  • Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should not be taken together with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole
Available strengths 1 strength
0.4 mg
129 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tamsulosin on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Tamsulosin appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

35 companies list 62 Tamsulosin product records with the FDA, mostly as capsule; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1997. Brand names on the directory include Flomax; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
35
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
Brand names
62
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1997
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (10) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack11%
A-S Medication Solutions10%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.8%
Proficient Rx LP8%
Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC6%
Cardinal Health 107, LLC3%
Other makers53%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Tamsulosin is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Tamsulosin is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Tamsulosin is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

2,108,678
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$22.4M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Tamsulosin prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Tamsulosin ranks #107 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 93% of them.

Where Tamsulosin ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #107 of 1,601
#102 Nystatin 2,190,507 Rx #103 Benzonatate 2,171,868 Rx #104 Apixaban 2,151,899 Rx #105 Lidocaine Transdermal... 2,146,915 Rx #106 Baclofen 2,144,009 Rx #107 Tamsulosin 2,108,678 Rx #108 Lorazepam 2,080,821 Rx #109 Pregabalin 2,058,308 Rx #110 Dexamethasone 2,033,076 Rx #111 Prazosin 2,024,285 Rx #112 Potassium 1,949,817 Rx

Utilization by Tamsulosin product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4 MG Oral Capsule

2,108,678 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Tamsulosin prescriptions shown $22.4M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 24 of 316 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 863669

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Tamsulosin, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 24 of 316 listed Tamsulosin NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Tamsulosin products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Tamsulosin — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 62 of 62 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 62 Tamsulosin NDCs →

Tamsulosin recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Tamsulosin recalls since July 2021.

✅No Tamsulosin recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Tamsulosin RxCUI 77492 2 dose forms · 2 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Tablet RxCUI 608594 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.4 MG RxCUI 863675
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 374021 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.4 MG RxCUI 863669

Look up RxCUI 77492 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Tamsulosin costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Capsule 0.4 mg $0.050 per capsule NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Tamsulosin brand names

Tamsulosin is sold under one brand name in the FDA directory — Flomax. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Flomax

Who makes Tamsulosin: manufacturers and labelers

35 companies list Tamsulosin products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Bryant Ranch Prepack, A-S Medication Solutions, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Bryant Ranch Prepack 7 A-S Medication Solutions 6 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 5 Proficient Rx LP 5 Aphena Pharma Solutions - Tennessee, LLC 4 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 2 PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Remedyrepack Inc. 2 XLCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc 2 American Health Packaging 1 Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC 1 Ascend Laboratories, LLC 1 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 1 AvKARE 1 AvPAK 1 Chartwell RX, LLC 1 Coupler LLC 1 Direct_Rx 1 Exelan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 1 Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited 1 Major Pharmaceuticals 1 NCS HealthCare of KY, LLC dba Vangard Labs 1

…and 11 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Tamsulosin drug class (RxNorm)

Tamsulosin belongs to the alpha-Adrenergic Blocker class.

Pharmacologic class alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
Drug family (ATC) Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists
How it works Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Tamsulosin page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

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FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jul 25, 2024
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Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Tamsulosin.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Tamsulosin after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
74
Finished products in the current FDA directory
62
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
35
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
38
Linked representative label ⓘ
RedPharm Drug, Inc.
Linked label effective
Jul 25, 2024
Composite sections available
23
Linked SPL Set ID
b3384748-92f1-0b49-e053-2a95a90abc73
Linked SPL Document ID
1e1dfa4a-3fdc-4703-e063-6394a90a9d97
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. RedPharm Drug, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →