What does Flomax (tamsulosin) cost without insurance? What is a good alternative to Flomax?

Tamsulosin (Flomax), an alpha-1 blocker used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH), is not one of the nation’s most exorbitantly expensive drugs, but it isn’t exactly cheap. This is especially the case if you find yourself uninsured. The generic version, which earned FDA approval in 2010, has an average retail price of $67.56 for 30 capsules. Luckily, the potential savings available for the generic and brand name versions of Flomax (tamsulosin) are ample. The U.S. Prescription Discount Card, which can be used at your local U.S. Pharmacy, can bring the price of tamsulosin to just $0.16/capsule.

Prices collected December 2019

The PharmacyChecker discount prices in the chart are based on the availability of the drug at pharmacies near New Orleans, Louisiana. When at all possible, it is best (and easiest) to support a local U.S. pharmacy. You can compare U.S. savings options and international pharmacy options for Flomax (tamsulosin) using the buttons below:

What are some drugs that I can take instead of Flomax (tamsulosin)?

The drug tadalafil is also used to treat benign enlarged prostate and has been found to have fewer uncomfortable side effects than tamsulosin does. Additionally, tadalafil decreases the eventual need for surgery on the prostate, where tamsulosin does not directly affect the enlarged prostate. (Tamsulosin is not going to decrease your need for surgery.) The drugs are very different: Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, while tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Tadalafil is also used to treat erectile dysfunction, which means it will not cause decreased libido, as tamsulosin.

Tadalafil is widely seen, at this point, as the better treatment for BPH, given that it won’t have the exaggerated side effects that make tamsulosin a difficult treatment. However, tamsulosin is the first line treatment, which means it is the first drug prescribed in the event of BPH. It is the cheaper drug and it has been on the market longer. The U.S. average price of tadalafil is $306.80 for 30 tablets—You can save by ordering online: the same amount is only $13.32 at accredited pharmacies. If you would like to switch medications, you may have to undergo prescription drug step therapy to prove that tamsulosin infringes on your quality of life.

Can you take Flomax (tamsulosin) twice a day?

Consult your doctor if you feel you need more than a single capsule per day. In certain situations, it may be necessary to administer more of the medication. In these cases, your provider will prescribe a larger dose of the medication also to be taken once daily. Do not take more than one capsule per day without your doctor’s approval.

Bear in mind that Flomax lowers your blood pressure. The lowered blood pressure helps the muscles surrounding the prostate and the bladder to relax. You do not want your blood pressure to be too low at any point – that is when you will faint or feel dizzy.

Taking Flomax twice a day without doctor recommendation may cause exacerbated versions of these symptoms.

Why do I need to take Flomax (tamsulosin) with food?

Like many state-altering substances, tamsulosin is best absorbed when the body is not “fasting.” When the body is fasting (like, say, if you haven’t eaten since last night), the drug is absorbed more quickly and will reach max absorption at just four to five hours after consumption. Taking the medication with food allows the drug to be absorbed more slowly, reaching max saturation at six to seven hours after consumption. The result? A longer-lasting effect of the drug, which will let the drug work until the next day when you’ll need to take it again. This is also why, colloquially, the drug is recommended to be taken after dinner, just as you are preparing to go to bed. This will make going to the bathroom in the middle of the night (a common habit) much easier.

According to the FDA, the nutritional content of your meal will not affect the absorption of the drug. A high-fat dinner will not help; nor will it hinder the effect of the drug.

Does Flomax (tamsulosin) make you pee a lot?

Flomax eases urinating, something that can become difficult with a benign enlarged prostate. The drug should make urinating more comfortable, decreasing hesitancy and helping the bladder relax. It shouldn’t make peeing uncomfortably common. If it does, consult your doctor immediately.

How does Flomax (tamsulosin) affect sexual desire?

One of Flomax’s side effects is a decreased libido and irregular ejaculation. You may experience retrograde ejaculation, which is when the ejaculate moves backward into the bladder. If you find these symptoms unbearable, discuss the possibility of decreasing your dosage with your doctor.

Where is Flomax (tamsulosin) manufactured?

According to labels found on DailyMed, brand-name Flomax is manufactured in Taiwan. Generic Tamsulosin hydrochloride is manufactured in Spain.

Read more about drug prices on PharmacyChecker.com

Why are drug prices so different at different pharmacies?

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Why are drug prices high in the U.S.?

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