Flomax side effects

Thanks everyone here for your comments. I experienced severe insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety while taking Flomax. Also, stuffy nose, swollen throat, and shortness of breath. Since insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety are not widely reported side-effects of Flomax, at first I didn't think that was the cause. Instead I thought I was having a relapse of the major depression that I recovered from 10 years ago, which began with similar symptoms. That scared me! Then I talked to my doctor, and he told me to STOP taking Flomax. I did, and within 24 hours, the insomnia and restlessness are gone. I don't know what our next treatment option is going to be, but it sure won't be Flomax. Flomax had me flummoxed!

I've been on flomax for about a year (possibly 2, I forget). After 2 weeks it improved the ability to urinate and decreased needed trips in the night. Definitely decreases semen volume, but definitely does not decrease libido in me, nor decrease firmness of erections. Makes ejaculation more difficult (although that could have another cause as well, frequency of ejaculates). I take 1 per day. Would like to have quicker, not less quick, climax/ejaculation events, but the drug helps with the enlarged prostate-caused urine problems. Age 64.

I was taking flomax for a few weeks as I noticed a "strange" side effect. My sinus cavities were completely dry and open to the point of driving me nuts. This was getting me very depressed . I assumed every cause under the sun I did not realize it was the flomax until I visited my GP. He said to get off the flomax. Yesterday I felt good and thought the worst was over:however, I went back to taking cardura (with avodart) and I woke up this morning to the same symptom albeit somewhat less intense as the day progresses. Am I still suffering from the flomax or could it be the avodart?

I have been taking flomax for a long time, i have had 5 operations due to my colon, when i became able to walk again i would loose by breathe just walking to the mail box in front of my house, and have ringing in my ears, i have been checked by a hart doctor and a pulmonary doctor as well, i am 100% in those areas, no one could find out why i had shortness of breathe, then i ran out of flomax. 4mg 1 daily, then my breathing rapidly unproved till i had no problem. no one ever thought to look at the possibility that it was due to the flomax until now.....

I am a 57 year old female and have been on Flomax for 3 years. I have tried twice to stop but my urinary hesitancy was worse. Has anyone had this experience? Does anyone know how to wean off this medication? Doctors don't seem to have the answer.

I think i'm relatively young (29) however I was/am having problems emptying my bladder when urinating. Basically I finish and then a few minutes later some urine is still dribbling. My doctor gave me samples of flomax about a week ago. Recently i've been noticing my erections are awful and orgasm is weak. I checked this message board to see if anyone else was having the same problem. Not sure whether I should keep taking this or switch to uroxatral, another drug that i've taken in the past to stop the dribbling

muscle spasm in upper arm several times a day

I started taking Flomax six months ago, and yes the dreaded non-ejaculat side effect was there. So my Doctor prescribed Viagra,..........Let me be the first to tell you..... My wife and I are both happy again. The dizziness went away in about two weeks I feel great now. I take my Flomax twice a day.

My 84 year old father has had just the opposite effect since starting Flomax - his sex drive has increased and his discussions frequently turn to sex. It has become quite awkward to spend any time with him. This is upsetting the entire family!

From Hero to Zeroooooooo, Turning in this medication back for my cape. Rather take extra trips to the rim than a visit from the GRIM.

I just started taking Flomax 4 days ago, the 4mg tablets. I have not had any of the side effects that most people on this post have reported. I am 65 years old and have had sky high PSA readings since 1998 and have had 3 biopsies that have all been negative. However, instead of reducing the number of trips to the bathroom the trips have increased but with easier and stronger flow. I take a diuretic for high BP along with other BP meds. I am going to cut down on the diuretic for a few days and see what happens.

Been prescribed Flomax for urine spraying / retention problem. The doctor didn't think it was absolutely necessary, so asked me to take one pill every two days. Just took the 4th pills and had some bad side effects. Almost fainted twice. I have never fainted in my life and am physically fit, can run a half-marathon without any discomfort. Other side effects include dizziness and weakness, blurry vision, stuffy nose, etc. It doesn't seem to help on my spraying / retention symptoms either. On the days I don't take Flomax I feel perfectly fine. I will stop taking this medicine as the side effects are a lot worse than the symptom it's trying to cure.

My dad(67yrs) is using flomax for the past 2 years or so for enlarged prostate.
He got terrible urine infection 1 month ago.Now he got paralytic attack.
Will it be due to Flomax ?.Any help is greatly appreciated
I think it's completely due to Flomax.
-rk

I have experienced severe lower back pain after taking FloMax for 2 weeks. Since I have stopped taking FloMax, The lower back pain has gone away.

I started flomax five days ago and have noticed two things: one, I get dizzy when I stand, and two, my ejaculate is colored..... brownish. My psa is 1.6.

Alas, it has made no difference to my wanting to pee all the time, so back to square one. I've tired proscar and detrol, but neither have helped. At least they had no side-effects

I have been on Flomax less than a week. Already I am seeing signs of mental confusion, being drowsy to the point of almost falling asleep at inopportune times, muscle cramps, and a dull ache in the area of the prostate.

Flow was good prior to starting Flomax. It has improved slightly but so has a sense of urgency. It seems to be acting a bit like a diuretic in that I am going a lot more frequently and with high volume and good pressure.

Diuretics can cause a loss of potassium, which can result in severe muscle cramps or spasm. I have had a charley horse in the calf, a foot that cramped up when I stood on it, and a tightening of the abdomen such that I could see a lump in one area. One must wonder if these are related.

The precautions include watching for heard palpitations. The heart is a muscle, isn't it? I would not want that muscle cramping up.

Perhaps the doctor thinks it advisable to attain perfection in urinary performance. But perhaps it is better to go through life with a slight problem that will likely not change, and also without irritating a gland that is prone to cancer. In reading the postings here it would seem that this medical perfection comes at a great cost.

Update! I stopped the Flomax and three days later I am 100% back to normal ejaculations. My wife and I are very happy that this medicine had no long term side effects. I wish my doctor had mentioned any of these side effects before prescribing this medicine. I'm just going to make an extra trip to the bathroom, it's better than zero ejaculate!!!! Good luck to all of you guys!

How long does it take to be free of the side effects from taking Flomax? After being on 2 Flomax pills daily for over a year, I was still up 3x in the night. I stopped taking Flomax a month ago after reading here the side effects and realizing I suffered from many of them. Trouble sleeping, sinus headaches, almost zero libido etc. Question...when will the libido return?
R. (Ontario)

I am a 42 year old healthy man that started getting tired of getting up during meetings every hour and a half to urinate. I went to the doctor and he prescribed Flomax. The frequent urination has improved, but the sexual side effects are awful. I first noticed a significant decrease in ejaculate. No big deal. I refrained from ejaculation for a week and this morning, when I had my orgasm I had zero ejaculate. The flomax is in the trash! I can not fix one thing and totally mess up a really good sex life. I sure hope this will not have any long term effects. I'm just trying to honest!!

My dad is 73 years old and has been in the hospital, rehab, nursing care, back to hospital, currently back in rehab since August 3, 2008. He was on Flomax which he was taken off of the first week in August after arriving to the hospital with low blood pressure and leg weakness to the point of being unable to walk. He had been taking it for years so doctors did not think Flomax the cause. However, once they ret'd him on Flomax he was unable to hold his head up when sitting in wheel chair (drooling) and very unresponsive. He also vomited and just stared at it, unable to respond to try to clean himself up. They took him off Flomax with some improvement. (He could hold his head up and respond.) His weakness declined to the point that he can no longer pee/poop without a diaper, can't swallow, can't speak (due to weakened vocal chords), and has no energy. He has a feeding tube. To date, they have not been able to pin point what dad's problem is. I noticed that on October 10, 2008, they returned him to Flomax. He again is sitting in wheelchair with head hanging down. No energy to do rehab. I have requested they take him off Flomax and LEAVE him off. I don't trust this drug. I think his long-term use of this drug could be what's killing my him.

I started taking flowmax due to low flow and dribble. im 37 and never had problems like this before. Flow was great after a day on the flowmax. after a week it seemed to stop working. My doctor insisted taking 2 .4mg pills instead of one. 3 days later flow wasn't any better and my lower back and groin started to hurt. I stopped the flowmax and now its one month later, flow is better but my pain in my lower back and groin isn't getting better. anyone else have this groin pain? ive had no ejaculation problems but my wife has commented that im always tired and my sex drive has all but disappeared.

I was unable to have an orgasm or ejaculate.

60 YO male: three weeks on .4 Flomax

I went on it because after Parathyroid surgery for kidney stones, I was still having symptoms. Mostly a painful urgency to pee, with only tablespoons coming out. That would last for 3-6 hours. I started out with pyridium (the pill that turns your urine orange). That seemed to help, but I was still having some lower-right abdomen KS pain events with the urgency. The urologist suspects I still have some stones that have yet to come out.

My prostate exam and PSA were good. No signs of cancer. I don't think the size of the prostrate was measured or whether BPH was an issue because of the obvious Parathyroid issue.

I started taking .4 Flomax, got the lightheadedness that evolved into a feeling of being slightly high most of the time. And feeling mildly relaxed.
Flow was improved, maybe a few less pees per day. Still peeing at least twice a night; good stream, good quantity.

Not a runny nose, but a thicker discharge. This week (3 weeks in) the nose is better.

Lower volume and clearer ejaculate. After the last ejaculation, I went right into an urgency and lower right KS pain event that lasted 6 hours. I was uncomfortable, but OK on Tylenol and pyridium. My events frequently happen on Saturday/Sunday. I have tried to figure out what, if anything I might be doing to cause or break this cycle, but there seems to be no correlation. I was hoping to get rid of the painful and disruptive urgency episodes, but so far they are still here every week or so.

Dreams have been a bit weird.

I have a swollen knee and toe, but this could be due to some hiking while on vacation. I saw the posts about painful joints, but can't make a direct connection yet.

Since Flomax three weeks ago, there seems to be a low level feeling in my lower abdomen. Not a pain as much as a presence, a tension. I think it's in the testicles, but you know how that is; accidentally smack one and the pain feels like it's inside the body.

I took my first Flowmaxtra last night, had difficulty going to sleep, woke up feeling I had been having bad dreams, my wife tells me I was talking in my sleep ( unusual ) and I had a sinus headache, also unusual. also discovered no ejaculate. to sum up,

sinus headache, disturbed sleep, no ejaculate

I will settle for a reduced urine flow, I am taking no more of these pills.

i've been taking flomax for about 7 years due to neurogenic bladder. also back problems. i have had no problem with this medication, and it makes or allows me me rather to urinate very well. i have had no loss in reduction of sperm or erection. this pill is a godsend for me. my age is 41.

I am a female on Flomax (to try and speed the release of a kidney stone). I've been on the medication for 4 weeks and my arms (including my hands) and legs have become very weak and tired feeling all the time. I feel dizzy most of the time, due to Flomax causing a blood pressure drop, which also leaves me freezing (even in 90-95 degree weather). I now have begun to feel nauseated and can't stand the thoughts of any food whatsoever. There has got to be another medicine that can do the same thing as Flomax without all the side effects.

Terrible constipation, stuffed sinus, stopped taking after 40 days, and strangely after 15 days my nocturia has not returned, i wonder how long this drug remains in the body?
David T( London)

I have been on Flowmax almost a year. It solved the hard to go problem almost immediately. I do not have any problem going to the bathroom and usually make it through the night now without having to get up. I do not have a particularly hard time getting an erection, but I have notice a much lower ejaculation and less satisfying climax. But age could also be a factor for me at 64. For the most part I like what Flowmax did for me. Before the doc put me on Flowmax there would be times I had a hard time urinating and it was scary. For me I will have to continue using the drug.

I've been on Flomax almost a month now and am pissing like a teen ager once again. I am 60 years old and have had BPE for several years, Tried saw palmetto with no results. Within a day of beginning Flomax, I noticed a much improved pee stream, started easier, finished when I was empty not when I was tired of straining.

Sexually, I still achieve a satisfying climax; however, there is zero ejaculate. But, I am well beyond that time when I want to conceive a child, so this is no biggie as long a s the orgasms are satisfying.

I have read many of the horror stories of the guys (and girls) posted here and feel truly lucky I am able to tolerate the medication as well as I do. One could get the impression from reading here that the drug is very dangerous with many serious side effects, but then again, generally only those with a problem typically will be found posting to sites like this one.

Took 1 pill 0.4 no ejaculation for 2 days. and weakness.

TERRIBLE took first dose yesterday morning my gf loves to swallow almost gagged last eve how can 2 pills change that much almost passed out bout noon nooooooooooooo more of this crap still have kidney stones will deal with it

I must be one of the "unusual" cases. I have been taking Flomax for about 4 years with no significant side effects. It took about 7 days for my system to adjust but after that I have had very few problems. I do have an occasional sinus problem but none of the other symptoms described in these posts. Flomax was prescribed because of BPH and urinary difficulty. It has worked very well for me.

I have taken Flomax for three nights. Each night, I woke up after having a disturbing and rather intense dream. This kind of dream was something that might happen once per year. Three nights in a row is very unlikely to be an accident.

I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS CRAP AGAIN!

Of the last four medications I've taken, three caused unacceptable side effects!

Gosh... this is such a big surprise. I have recently read that pharmaceutical companies have been tampering with the results of drug studies. They also have a "buddy-buddy" relationship with the Food and Drug Administration and some members of congress.

I can't wait for November 2008 to vote against the regime that is in power and which allowed this kind of farce to occur in agencies that are supposed to help protect Americans from crappy "medicines".

I took 1 .4 mg pill. ONE pill. This is now the second day and I cannot ejaculate at all. My orgasms are weaker than they used to be, and I'm scared that this isn't going to return to normal. I can't believe that they let people use this stuff..

I was prescribed this drug because of a kidney stone that I needed to pass which passed and would have passed without taking the drug. I thought that it would be nice to have around, but there is no way in hell I'm taking this ever again. I'm just sorry that I wasted ~$40 on this med with my insurance! This is one expensive drug, and the side effect of not being able to ejaculate is not worth it to me.

How long does this crap stay in your system!?

I'm seriously worried.

On the up side... I think they've inadvertently discovered a male birth control pill.

Here's another article about a guy having a similar experience and discussing how the company found a male birth control pill:

http://www.theputdown.com/theputdown/2008/03/flomax-male-bir.html

Had I read this, I never would have taken this drug.

mmm, contrary to virtually all the previous comments, I don't seem to have any adverse reaction to Flomaxtra. I had complete urinary retention, that required insertion of a catheter. My psa is normal, and my prostate size is typical for age. Flomaxtra was suggested as an alternative to surgery. Flow has increased from zero prior to taking the medication, to 12-15cc/second after about 2 weeks . (I am 54 years old). I have been on Flomaxtra for 6 weeks now . The only physical change I have noticed, is an increase in penis size, likely due to relaxing of muscle. Ejaculation and erection is normal. I do not like taking drugs, and will monitor any changes, but life is one hell of a lot better than not being able to pee, and catheters are so dehumanizing.

I first started to take Flowmax about three years ago and took it for about a year. I had most of the symptoms mentioned but also had swelling of one of my lymph nodes in the neck, also a nodule appeared next to one of my testicles (which I presume was another lymph node as it has now disappeared) , severe sore throat which had me off work for nearly a month. Together with all the other symptoms I thought I was on my way out! - Then I had reason to go away for a long weekend and forgot to take the Flowmax with me and most of the Symptoms disappeared!! It was only at this stage that I actually looked at the side affects of the drug on the packaging did I realize what I had put myself through. Never again will I take for granted that medicine "will do me good" I harsh lesson. My neck gland is still the size of a golf ball, and now through ultrasound they have found nodules in my thyroid gland. Is this all part of the same thing I ask myself? (ps I did not get the painful erection which was more or less the only one I did not get)

march 29 2008 HAS ANY OTHER MAN THAT TOOK FLOMAX OVER A YEAR HAD TINGLING AND NUMBNESS OF THE TOES , I HAVE THIS CONDITION, AND WONDER IF FLOMAX IS THE CAUSE

Does anyone know how to purge this crap out of your system? I've only taken a small number (5) for kidney stones. I had 2 of them back to back...I'm completely clear now -thank god!
I took the last one 10 days ago and the side effects just won't go away...I drink lots of water and finally went to a homeopathic doctor for help...My urologist was of no help. I'm scared that it'll never go away...Can anyone help?
Robert

I am glad to have found this site. My partner has been on flomax for about 2 months with decrease in sex drive ,less firm erection and ,less ejaculate. of course he has the orthostatic hypotension and, more headaches than usual.. he is 62 prostate is not enlarged and he does not have cancer, just a weak flow and trouble starting. go back to DR in 2 wks will inform md of these symptoms and report back. thanks

Been on Flomax for 6 weeks. Seems to be of no value as far as frequent night time urination. Still get up multiple times. I have a feeling of malaise and zero libido and zero ejaculate. Also on Avodart for BPH and see no improvement. I think I will opt for either a laser or microwave treatment to reduce the prostate size at the bladder and get off these useless drugs.

I have had problems with kidney stones but thank god, no prostrate issues..
My first stone occurred in the fall of '05. My doctor at the time - the nastiest old bastard that ever graduated med school, prescribed Flomax to help the stone pass.....I took one or two and the stone passed in a few days..I don't recall any side effects from that instance.

Fast forward to Jan '08...I had another stone that made itself "known" to me for weeks before being diagnosed.......That after a trip to the ER.Lotsa' fun, everyone should go!.....I took Flomax about three times during that period and had some nasty side effects - reflecting many that have been previously published here. I got dizzy and nauseated at times.....I also suffer from panic/anxiety disorder.Flomax made me a basket case!......The "roaring" and "ringing"in the ears was and still is problem..... I passed that stone in early Feb.....
At the end of Feb the BIG ONE (1cm) decided to drop down the ol' ureter. My present urologist (Yeah the old buzzard finally retired!) gave me options, as stones of that size are real mothers to pass. Take pain pills, Uricit and Flomax......Or insert a stint and wait.....The final option was lithotrypsy. Lithotrypsy is an outpatient procedure that breaks up the stone into smaller pieces while still in the body via vibrational waves...
I had the procedure and most of the particles were flushed out.....I recommend this procedure for a quick but costly fix....
The doctor warned me that there would be smaller particles that might take weeks to work their way out........Well, that's what happened..Just when I was recovering from all the medication - Flomax included, I had another piece start working it's way down..It's still mocking me as I write this.
I took Flomax - out of desperation for three days for the purpose of flushing out this one last particle. My patience with this stone and it's aftermath was at an end! I wish I hadn't taken them.......The dreams, anxiety, rushing in the ears, dizziness..The whole thing! I had three capsules left and ground them up and threw them out today!

Flomax is hell on earth and I regret ever taking it. If I'd read this board on Sat I would have thrown them out then and just dealt with it, well I didn't and I'm suffering again.....Will it ever end?

Has anyone else experienced a bitter metallic taste in the mouth as well as an unpleasant smell to the urine as well? I also have this irritating urge to urinate but the flow is moderate........I was doing well without any medication when I got impatient and took the Flomax. How long will this be in my system I wonder.... Sex drive? I have none now.......Kidney stones really take it out of you, that mixed with the Flomax has put me on the sexual sidelines.....*sigh*.
Robert

Constant ringing in the ears after taking flomax for several months.Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

i haven,t be able to get it up now in one day with flomaxs it up all the time is that right for it .

My husband was prescribed FLOMAX about six months ago for a slightly enlarged prostate. He is 48 years old and had been very fit as a contractor in the construction industry. Now he is extremely weak, has terrible pains in his elbows and joints especially fingers. Last week he thinks he broke a rib just pushing a piece of scaffolding into place (something he has done many times with no ill effects). He has aged in his body so much that I fear he may not be able to continue work. He has no energy at all and seems irritable and depressed. I feel that by reading the side effects that others have mentioned that we have hope that he is not dying! If he stops will these side effects go away?

First dose, passed out, went into shock, taken by the ambulance to the ER. Face cut requiring stitches, ribs bruised with cuts on my rib wall. Freaked my wife out totally.

I am a female taking narcotic pain medication due to a back injury. Those pills make it hard to pee. My doc put me on Flomax to help me empty my bladder. I have had swollen sinus every night when I sleep. I have extreme elbow, wrist and finger pain that lasts all day/night long. My legs and knees are very stiff and sore. If I stand on my feet for more than a couple of minutes, my soles ache. I feel extremely tired and exhausted. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!! Now that I am off of it, my retention problem is worse than ever before. I wish I would have seen this web page before starting this horrible drug.

Here's what I got. I got to urinate a little bit easier. I got headaches, fairly intense back aches,all day drowsiness, with inability to sleep upon retiring. I got a stuffy nose along with slightly blurred vision. My energy level and physical output were almost nonexistent and I have become "edgy" while getting annoyed easily.A complete feeling of being uncomfortable and feeling ill. In my opinion the side effects are not worth it.

I have been own Flomaz for 4 weeks. I stopped a few days ago because of sever back pain and thought I potentially had a kidney infection. After reading these postings I realize I am experiencing many of the same side effects of 100's of others. In addition to the back pain I have been nauseated, groggy and tired. I have no ejaculation but still orgasm. All of this an little to no improvement in my urination. The only good side effect is that it seems to have enlarged my penis.

I am done with this drug!

I have been taking Flowmax for several months and have had problems getting an erection,I have very little sex drive.I have been having a lot of gas,and pains in my left side .Very little semen fluid and sometimes no climax at all.Very displeased with this product.Will seek for other remedies.ron 3748

insomnia, reverse ejaculation, . Insomnia after 5 weeks, reverse ejaculation after 3 days. stopped Flomax 8 days ago and still can't sleep without a pill ! never had sleep problems in my life. does something to the sleep mechanism in your brain. they show 2.4 % with insomnia - i wonder about that as it seems a consistent theme on this board. Flomax did not stop me from going 3 x a night and only yielded a very moderate urine flow improvement.