TAMSOL

Tamsol 0.4 mg is a medicine containing the active substance tamsulosin hydrochloride. It is intended for adult men for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign enlargement of the prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Tamsulosin relaxes the smooth muscles of the prostate and urethra, helping urine flow more easily. It may relieve symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, a weak or interrupted urinary stream, a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying and frequent or urgent urination during the day or night.

Tamsol 0.4 mg – what is it used for and how should it be taken?

What is Tamsol used for?

This medicine is used in adult men to relieve functional symptoms caused by benign enlargement of the prostate. An enlarged prostate may put pressure on the urethra and cause:

• difficulty starting urination;
• a weak, thin or interrupted urinary stream;
• straining during urination;
• a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely;
• a frequent need to urinate;
• a sudden and difficult-to-delay urge to urinate;
• frequent urination during the night.

Before treatment begins, a doctor should examine the patient and determine whether the symptoms are related to benign prostate enlargement, as similar symptoms may also occur with other urinary tract disorders.

How should Tamsol be taken?

The usual recommended dose for adults is one capsule once daily, after breakfast or the first meal of the day. Always take this medicine exactly as instructed by your doctor.

• Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.
• Take the capsule while sitting or standing, not while lying down.
• Do not open, crush or chew the capsule.
• Damaging the capsule may alter the prolonged-release properties of the medicine.
• Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor, even if your symptoms improve.

If you forget a dose: the medicine may be taken later on the same day after a meal. If the entire day has passed, continue treatment the following day at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.

When should Tamsol not be taken?

Do not take this medicine:

• if you are allergic to tamsulosin or any of the other ingredients;
• if you have previously experienced dizziness, weakness or fainting when standing up suddenly due to a fall in blood pressure;
• if you have severe liver impairment.

This medicine is not intended for women, children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

Special warnings and precautions

Tamsulosin may cause a fall in blood pressure in some patients, particularly when standing up. If dizziness, weakness or light-headedness occurs, sit or lie down until the symptoms have passed.

Particular caution is required in patients with severe kidney impairment.

Tell your ophthalmologist if you are currently taking or have previously taken tamsulosin, especially before planned cataract or glaucoma surgery. Tamsulosin may increase the risk of a complication during eye surgery known as intraoperative floppy iris syndrome, or IFIS. Do not stop taking the medicine before surgery unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Because dizziness may occur, caution is required when driving, working at heights or operating machinery.

Interactions with other medicines

Before starting treatment, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products you are taking. Possible interactions are particularly important with:

• other alpha-1 blockers, as they may cause a more pronounced fall in blood pressure;
• ketoconazole and other strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors;
• paroxetine and other strong CYP2D6 inhibitors;
• diclofenac;
• warfarin;
• cimetidine and furosemide.

This list is not complete. Your doctor will assess whether a particular combination is safe and whether additional monitoring is required.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Tamsol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects:

• dizziness, particularly when standing up or changing body position;
• ejaculation disorders, including reduced or absent semen and retrograde ejaculation.

Uncommon side effects:

• headache;
• palpitations;
• a fall in blood pressure when standing up;
• light-headedness or fainting;
• a blocked or runny nose;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation;
• weakness;
• rash, itching or hives.

Rarely, temporary loss of consciousness, swelling of the face or throat, serious skin reactions, visual disturbances and a prolonged painful erection may occur.

If more Tamsol has been taken than prescribed

An overdose may cause a sudden fall in blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, fainting, vomiting or diarrhoea. The person should lie down and immediately contact a doctor or the nearest medical facility.

How to store Tamsol

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store it in the original packaging.
• Do not use it after the expiry date.
• Do not dispose of unused medicines through wastewater or household waste. Return them to a pharmacy that collects pharmaceutical waste.

Composition

Each prolonged-release hard capsule contains 0.4 mg of tamsulosin hydrochloride.

The excipients include microcrystalline cellulose, methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate copolymer, triethyl citrate, talc, gelatin, titanium dioxide, iron oxides and indigo carmine.

Official sources:

• ALIMS – Patient Information Leaflet for Tamsol 0.4 mg
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics for Tamsol 0.4 mg

Patient information leaflet last approved: July 2023. Content medically reviewed: 1 August 2026.