Flomax

What Flomax is and what it is used for

Combodart is used to treat men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
•a noncancerous growth of the prostate gland, caused by producing too much of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. Combodart is a combination of two different medicines called dutasteride and tamsulosin. Dutasteride belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and tamsulosin belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-blockers.As the prostate grows, it can lead to urinary problems, such as difficulty in passing urine and a need to go to the toilet frequently. It can also cause the flow of the urine to be slower and less forceful. If left untreated, there is a risk that your urine flow will be completely blocked (acute urinary retention). This requires immediate medical treatment. Sometimes surgery is necessary to remove or reduce the size of the prostate gland. Dutasteride lowers the production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, which helps to shrink the prostate and relieve the symptoms. This will reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for surgery. Tamsulosin acts by relaxing the muscles in your prostate gland, making it easier to pass urine and rapidly improving your symptoms.

How to take Flomax

Always take Combodart exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you to. If you do not take it regularly the monitoring of your PSA levels may be affected. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. How much to take The recommended dose is one capsule taken once a day, 30 minutes after the same meal each day. How to take Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not chew or break open the capsule. Contact with the contents of the capsules may make your mouth or throat sore. If you take more Combodart than you should Contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you take too many Combodart capsules. If you forget to take Combodart Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Just take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t stop Combodart without advice Don’t stop taking Combodart without talking to your doctor first. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Allergic reaction The signs of allergic reactions can include: skin rash (which can be itchy) hives (like a nettle rash) swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, arms or legs.  Contact your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms, and stop using Combodart. Dizziness, light-headedness and fainting Combodart can cause dizziness, lightheadedness and on rare occasions fainting. Take care when moving from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, particularly if you wake up in the night, until you know how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded at any time during treatment, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. Serious skin reactions The signs of serious skin reactions can include:
• a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).  Contact a doctor immediately if you get these symptoms, and stop using Combodart.

Common side effects These may affect up to 1 in 10 men taking Combodart: impotence (not able to achieve or maintain an erection)* decreased sex drive (libido)* difficulty with ejaculation, such as a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex* breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia) dizziness. * In a small number of people some of these events may continue after you stop taking Combodart.

Uncommon side effects These may affect up to 1 in 100 men heart failure (heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood around the body. You may have symptoms such as shortness of breath, extreme tiredness and swelling in your ankles and legs) low blood pressure on standing fast heartbeat (palpitations) constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, feeling sick (nausea) weakness or loss of strength headache itchy, blocked or runny nose (rhinitis) skin rash, hives, itching. hair loss (usually from the body) or hair growth.

Rare side effects These may affect up to 1 in 1,000 men swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, arms or legs (angioedema) fainting.

Very rare side effects These may affect up to 1 in 10,000 men persistent painful erection of the penis (priapism) serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).

Other side effects

Other side effects have occurred in a small number of men, but their exact frequency is not known (the frequency cannot be estimated from available data):
• abnormal or fast heartbeat (arrhythmia or tachycardia or atrial fibrillation)
• shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
• depression
• pain and swelling in your testicles
• nose bleeds
• severe skin rash
• changes in vision (blurred vision or visual impairment)
• dry mouth

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to Store Flomax

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Don’t store Combodart above 30°C. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.