Flomax - Safe in Large Doses?

[JDinVirginia]

When I seemed not to respond to a normal dosage of Flomax, my urologist recently told me to double my daily dosage. About three days after increasing the dosage, I felt like I was voiding more and retaining less. As my doctor also prescribed self-catheterization twice a day I have been able to measure the residuals. While it is far too early to be sure, things seem to be moving in the right direction and my residuals are dropping. I now am into the high end of the "normal" zone for a male 65 years or older - 100 ml or so.

While this is good news, should I be concerned about long-term use of a double dosage of Flomax? I understand that there are side effects. One of the side effects is prolonged erections lasting 4 hours or more. Sadly, I did not get this side effect.

Seriously though, if my residuals decrease, would my urologist take me off self-catheterization and just leave me on high doses of Flomax? Is it safe?

--John

[Rope_Wrench]

JD,

Here is what I found.

0.4 mg PO once daily, 30 minutes after same meal each day; if response is inadequate after 2-4 weeks, may be increased to 0.8 mg once daily; if therapy is interrupted, should be resumed at 0.4 mg once daily.

Basically you should be safe as long as you did not start out at the higher dose. Also if you miss a few days you will need to start again at 0.4 and then build back up.

This was a cut and paste from Medscape which I use at work.

Rope

[JDinVirginia]

Rope,

Thanks a lot!

--John

[Rope_Wrench]

Any time John.
Something else, if you end up doing the 0.8 dose have the doctor call in a new prescription to reflect that. It you double up on the old bottle you will be out too soon and insurance will not pay to refill it for another two weeks.

[msshendo]

Why do we never get the side effects that we want?

[JDinVirginia]

Rope, thanks. I did not think of that.

Msshendo, Amen to that!

--John

[msshendo]

And to quote Captain Jack Sparrow, "Why is the rum always gone?"

[Wetters]

Bummer! From a ladies' perspective, too!!

Wetters

[msshendo]

Which one Wetters, The side effect or the rum? Or both?

[Wetters]

Why, both, of course! A very satisfactory combination indeed for all concerned....

Wetters