Tamsulosin is an active substance from the group of alpha-blockers used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the prostate and urethra. This increases urinary flow, improves voiding and storage symptoms. The effects have a rapid onset. The most common adverse effect is dizziness. Occasionally, blood pressure may be lowered, which can lead to palpitations, weakness, and rarely to brief loss of consciousness. Cardiovascular side effects are reported to occur less frequently compared with other alpha-blockers.
Tamsulosin (ATC G04CA02) binds as a competitive antagonist to postsynaptic α1-adrenoceptors, thereby relaxing the smooth muscle of the prostate and urethra. This increases urinary flow and improves voiding and storage symptoms.
Due to its selectivity for the α1A receptor (urinary tract) over the α1B receptor (vasculature), fewer cardiovascular side effects are expected compared with other alpha-blockers. The effects have a rapid onset — within hours to days — compared with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Tamsulosin has no effect on prostate size; it is effective only against the symptoms.
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