Tamsulosin+dutasteride
About Tamsulosin+dutasteride
Tamsulosin+dutasteride is primarily used to treat enlarged prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland caused due to overproduction of a dihydrotestosterone hormone in men.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride contains Tamsulosin and Dutasteride. Tamsulosin makes it easier to pass urine. On the other hand, Dutasteride reduces the enlarged prostate gland's size and relieves symptoms. Thereby, minimizes the risk of complete blockage of urine flow and need for prostate surgery.
In some cases, Tamsulosin+dutasteride may cause common side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, sexual problems (decreased sex drive or libido), runny/stuffy nose, reduced amount of semen/sperm), testicle pain/swelling, increased breast size, or breast tenderness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
Women or children should not take Tamsulosin+dutasteride. Please inform your doctor before starting Tamsulosin+dutasteride have low blood pressure, liver/kidney disease, history of heart problems. It is advisable to use a contraceptive (like a condom) while having sex if your wife is pregnant as Tamsulosin+dutasteride is known to pass in semen.
Uses of Tamsulosin+dutasteride
• Management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Tamsulosin+dutasteride helps to manage symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH), like difficulty urinating, and improves quality of life.
• Improvement of urinary flow: Tamsulosin+dutasteride can help in enhancing urine flow, making it easier to empty the bladder.
• Management of urinary symptoms: Tamsulosin+dutasteride helps to relieve symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, weak urine flow, and incomplete bladder emptying.
• Support for bladder function: Tamsulosin+dutasteride supports bladder function, particularly in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing bladder muscles, improving urinary tract health.
Medicinal Benefits
- Tamsulosin+dutasteride is used to treat enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) in men.
- It relaxes prostate and bladder muscles for easier urination and shrinks the prostate over time.
- It helps relieve symptoms like frequent urination, weak urine flow, and urinary urgency.
- It lowers the risk of sudden urine blockage and reduces the need for prostate surgery.
- It improves comfort and quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Tamsulosin+dutasteride should be taken about 30 minutes after the same meal each day or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Tamsulosin+dutasteride as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Tamsulosin+dutasteride
- Impotence (not able to achieve or maintain an erection)
- Decreased sex drive (libido)
- Difficulty with ejaculation
- Gynecomastia (breast enlargement or tenderness)
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Tamsulosin+dutasteride if you are allergic to Tamsulosin+dutasteride or any of the ingredients.
- Tamsulosin+dutasteride should not be taken if you have low blood pressure, which makes you feel dizzy, lightheaded or faint, glaucoma.
- Inform your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, liver/kidney disease.
- Before undergoing surgery (cataract), please consult a doctor as you might be advised to stop Tamsulosin+dutasteride.
- During sexual intercourse, use a condom as Tamsulosin+dutasteride is found in semen.
- Contact your doctor for advice before taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride, if you are planning to father a child as it may reduce semen volume, sperm count and sperm movement.
- Keep your doctor informed about all the OTC medicines you are using while taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride.
- Tamsulosin+dutasteride may cause dizziness in some people. Therefore, if you feel dizzy, avoid driving or operating machinery.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Tamsulosin+dutasteride is known to contra-indicate with medicines used to help achieve or maintain an erection (vardenafil, sildenafil, tadalafil), high blood pressure (verapamil, diltiazem), antidepressants (fluoxetine, paroxetine), anti-HIV (ritonavir, indinavir), blood thinners (warfarin), antibiotics (erythromycin), NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Tamsulosin+dutasteride is known to interact when taken along with alcohol and St John’s Wort (a natural remedy to treat depression). Also, keep your doctor informed about all the OTC medicines you are using while taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Tamsulosin+dutasteride should not be given to the patients with eye problems (like glaucoma or cataract), liver/kidney disease, hypotension (low blood pressure).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeTamsulosin+dutasteride should not be taken until prescribed if you are taking alcohol. Keep your doctor informed if you drink alcohol.
Pregnancy
not applicableTamsulosin+dutasteride is not recommended for women.
Breast Feeding
not applicableTamsulosin+dutasteride is not recommended for women.
Driving
cautionTamsulosin+dutasteride can make some people feel dizzy, so it may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Liver
cautionTamsulosin+dutasteride should not be taken until prescribed. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is recommended.
Kidney
cautionTamsulosin+dutasteride should not be taken until prescribed. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is recommended.
Children
unsafeTamsulosin+dutasteride is not recommended for children. The safety and effectiveness of Tamsulosin+dutasteride have not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children by competent authorities worldwide.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid drinking less alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drink. Limit intake of artificial sweeteners.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly so that you do not feel heavy in the abdomen region.
- Also, drink less water in the evening and before sleeping to have a sound sleep and do not wake up frequently for urination.
- Any medication which may worsen urinary symptoms (medication for cold and cough) should be avoided.
Special Advise
- Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and swelling in your ankles and legs.
- Tamsulosin+dutasteride is not intended for use as an antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering) drug.
- Don't stand suddenly from a lying or resting position, which may increase the risk of falls.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the enlargement of the prostate gland. It is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland caused due to overproduction of dihydrotestosterone hormone in men. If not treated, it may lead to the formation of bladder stone, infection, and reduced kidney function. BPH usually occurs in the male who is above 50 years of age.
FAQs
Tamsulosin+dutasteride is used to treat enlarged prostate gland.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride contains tamsulosin and dutasteride, primarily in treating the enlarged prostate gland. Dutasteride lowers the production of dihydrotestosterone hormone, which leads to a decrease in the size of the prostate and, as a result, relieves the symptoms. Tamsulosin makes it easy to pass urine by relaxing the muscles of the gland. Collectively, both of them improve the symptoms of Benign Hyperplasia Prostate (BPH).
No, taking any cold or cough medication along with Tamsulosin+dutasteride should be avoided as it increases the urge to urinate. So, before taking any such medication, please consult your doctor.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride is known to be harmful to men below the age of 18, childbearing women, patients with known allergy to any of the components of Tamsulosin+dutasteride.
No, Tamsulosin+dutasteride does not cure urinary bladder cancer and should not be used for it. It just helps in relieving symptoms of the enlarged prostate gland. For better advice, you should consult your doctor.
No, you are advised not to donate blood if you are taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride as it contains Dutasteride, which is carried in the blood and can cause congenital disabilities. Even if you stop taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride, wait for at least 6 months and consult your doctor before donating blood.
Yes, in some cases sexual problems (like decreased sexual interest/ability/libido, ejaculation problems, decreased sperm/semen amount), testes pain/swelling, increased breast size, or breast tenderness in the male might occur. Sexual problems in a male may be continued even after stopping the intake of Tamsulosin+dutasteride. However, if any of these side effects persist, tell your doctor promptly.
Before taking any medication, take certain precautions. Inform your doctor about your medical history, including allergies and previous reactions. Share your current medications and supplements to avoid interactions. Tell your doctor about underlying medical conditions or concerns. Follow recommended dosage and usage instructions carefully. Be aware of potential drug interactions and monitor your body's response to the medication.
Consumption of alcohol with Tamsulosin+dutasteride can lower your blood pressure. This can cause dizziness or feeling like you might pass out, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position. So, avoid the consumption of alcohol.
Elderly patients can take Tamsulosin+dutasteride, but they should do so with extra caution. Older adults may be more sensitive to its effects, increasing the risk of dizziness, low blood pressure, and falls. To ensure safety, elderly patients should consult their doctor before taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride, follow their doctor's instructions carefully, and be closely monitored by their doctor, as they may need to adjust the dosage or monitor them more frequently.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride can cause the iris to become breakable (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome or IFIS), making surgery more difficult and increasing the risk of complications like iris damage and posterior capsular rupture. Stopping the medication temporarily allows it to leave your system, reducing these risks and ensuring a smoother surgery. So, to minimize risks during cataract surgery, your doctor may ask you to stop taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride at least a week beforehand.
You'll likely take Tamsulosin+dutasteride long-term. Symptoms may improve in 3 months, but full benefits take 6 months or more. Treatment continues for life to stay symptom-free. Always follow your doctor's plan, and don't stop without consulting them.
Taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride for an extended period can have several side effects. You may experience decreased sex drive, erection issues, or breast changes. Additionally, dizziness, nasal congestion, and drowsiness are possible. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor to discuss managing them or adjusting your treatment.
If you're feeling better, don't stop taking the medicine! Instead, report your progress to your doctor and follow their advice. Remember, finishing the full course of medicine is crucial to ensuring the infection is gone and doesn't return. Your doctor will guide you on what to do next, so be sure to check in with them.
If you forget to take your Tamsulosin+dutasteride, take it immediately when you remember. But if your next dose is near, skip the missed one and continue your usual schedule. Never double up on doses; this increases the risk of side effects.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride has been widely used and considered safe for long-term treatment of enlarged prostate. While it's important to be aware of potential side effects like sexual issues and dizziness, the benefits of treatment often outweigh the risks. With regular doctor visits and monitoring, you can minimize potential risks and maximize the effectiveness of treatment.
Tamsulosin+dutasteride may cause various side effects. These include decreased sex drive, semen reduction, erection difficulties, ejaculation issues, and testicle discomfort. Some men experience breast tenderness or enlargement. You may also feel dizzy, lightheaded or experience nasal congestion. Additional side effects include breast changes, tenderness, and drowsiness. It's crucial to report any side effects to your doctor, who can provide guidance and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
When taking Tamsulosin+dutasteride, beware of potential interactions with other medications. Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you're using, as interactions can occur with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, erectile dysfunction treatments, antidepressants, HIV medications, certain antibiotics, and pain relievers. Your doctor will help manage potential interactions and adjust your treatment plan for safe use.
