Sexual Side Effects of Flomax
Flomax is a prescription medication that is used to improve urination in men who have enlarged prostates. This condition is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Flomax relaxes the body's arteries and veins, allowing blood to flow through more easily. Flomax also relaxes prostate and bladder neck muscles, making urination easier. In addition to other side effects, Flomax may cause the sexual side effects of abnormal ejaculation or painful and/or abnormally long-lasting erections in men who take it.
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Features
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Abnormal ejaculation, a sexual side effect of Flomax, is a term that refers to various ejaculatory problems a man may encounter when taking this medication. Some men may not be able to ejaculate at all. Others experience a decreased amount of ejaculate. Sometimes, retrograde ejaculation occurs--where ejaculate enters the bladder instead of exiting the body. Painful erections, or erections lasting longer than four hours, are another sexual side effect of Flomax.
Considerations
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In clinical trials, approximately 18 percent of men who took the higher 0.8-milligram daily dose of Flomax experienced abnormal ejaculation. In those same trials, about 8 percent of men taking the lower 0.4-milligram daily dose of Flomax experienced abnormal ejaculation. This sexual side effect prompted about 1.6 percent of men to stop using Flomax.
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Prevention/Solution
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There is no way for a doctor or physician to predict whether a man will experience sexual side effects or abnormal ejaculation from taking Flomax. In some cases, such side effects are not directly caused by the medication. The only way to prevent this problem--or solve it--is by discontinuing the use of Flomax.
Other Side Effects
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In addition to the sexual side effects of Flomax listed above, men should be aware of other potential side effects of this medication. Severe dizziness and/or fainting are considered serious side effects that require immediate attention. Less serious side effects may include low-grade dizziness or sleepiness, insomnia, or a runny and stuffy nose and sore throat.
Warning
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Men should inform their doctor of any other prescription medications they are taking before taking Flomax. Also, people taking Flomax should avoid driving or doing other activities that require a clear, focused mind. Additionally, alcohol should be avoided in people who are taking Flomax.
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