Urimax MR (tamsulosin) is designed to facilitate urination in men who have difficulty urinating due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), otherwise known as an enlarged prostate. It may also sometimes be used in patients of either gender who have kidney stones or otherwise have difficulty urinating for reasons unrelated to prostate size, though these uses are fairly rare.

The MR in this product's name indicates it's a modified-release version of the medication, taken just once per day. Tablets must be swallowed whole; patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets may want to consider Flomax, a fast-acting version of the medication.

Urimax MR should not be administered to patients of either gender if below age 18. Effects on still-developing young bodies are unclear.

Taking Urimax MR

Urimax MR comes in tablets of either 0.2 mg or 0.4 mg strengths. Taking multiple smaller tablets at the same time is the same as taking a single larger-dose tablet; for instance, two 0.2 mg tablets is the same a single 0.4 mg tablet, and two 0.4 mg tablets is the same as a single 0.8 mg tablet.

Tablets can be taken with or without food, though many men prefer to take tablets shortly after a meal to ease gastrointestinal effects, if experienced. Either way tablets should be taken at the same time each day to keep levels of the medication consistent in the body.

Treatment for BPH is typically:

• Start with 0.4 mg taken once per day for 2 to 4 weeks.
• Men with other major medical conditions may be started on 0.2 mg once per day.
• Men who do not tolerate 0.4 mg may be reduced to 0.2 mg.
• If 0.4 mg tablets are well tolerated but sufficient results are not seen after 2 to 4 weeks, dosage may be increased to 0.8 mg.

Improvements are usually seen to some extent within a week of starting treatment, but it takes 2 to 4 weeks for maximum benefit to be seen. Patients should wait 2 to 4 weeks before making dosage adjustments.

The occasional missed dose is not a big deal; it should be skipped entirely and treatment resumed with the next dose. If doses are frequently missed, or missed for several consecutive days, treatment may need to restart on lower 0.2 or 0.4 mg doses.

Treatment nearly always extends for several months, and may span years. Note that Urimax MR is not a cure for BPH; it will not slow or stop prostate growth, nor will it shrink an enlarged prostate. Other measures that do slow, stop, or shrink prostate growth will likely be recommended along with Urimax MR. If other measures are successful, Urimax MR treatment may end.

Precautions

Patients taking Urimax MR should be aware that this medication will lower blood pressure to some degree, which can be concerning to patients taking other medications that lower blood pressure or who have low blood pressure to begin with. All patients may experience some symptoms related to the lowering of blood pressure at the start of treatment, even if blood pressure is still within normal ranges. Symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Mild fatigue
• Clammy skin
• Tingling in extremities
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty concentrating

Provided the above are mild they're not cause for concern, and should stop occurring in the first week or two of treatment. If severe or persistant, speak with a doctor.

Urimax MR can cause complications in patients undergoing eye surgery, even if treatment stopped months prior to the surgery. Ophthalmologists performing the surgery should be notified ahead of time so they may be prepared in case these complications are encountered.

Some patients may be hypersensitive to Urimax MR. Those with a history of hypersensitivity to sulfa drugs are at increased risk of hypersensitivity to Urimax MR, though it is not a sulfa drug. Patients experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction---swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, erratic heartbeat, and so forth---should seek medical attention.

Other medications that influence urination should also be used with caution while taking Urimax MR, including over-the-counter varieties. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing these types of medications.