Urimax (Tamsulosin 0.2mg) Capsules

Urimax general information

What is Urimax used for?

As men age, problems with the waterworks are very common, particularly from the age of 40 onwards.  These are signs of a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate that is not cancer but may need medical attention to prevent it from getting worse.  Urimax capsules 0.2 mg are a BPH treatment to help relieve symptoms of restricted urine flow caused by an enlarged prostate gland.

How to recognise of BPH

BPH has several recognisable symptoms that include:

• need to pass urine more often and more urgently, including at night
• difficulty starting to urinate
• not being able to empty your bladder completely
• loss of control so that urine continues to dribble. 

As the condition worsens, irritation of the bladder can cause pain when you urinate.  The risk of bladder infection also increases if urine remains in the bladder.

What is the prostate gland?

The prostate is a small walnut-sized gland that sits just below the bladder.  It surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that drains urine from the bladder.  An essential role of the prostate gland is the production of a fluid that goes into semen to nourish sperm.  This fluid is forced out of the prostate gland and into the urethra, mixing with other components of semen during ejaculation. 

The prostate gland undergoes a growth spurt at puberty and then maintains its size.  At around the age of 40, the prostate begins to grow again and continues to grow slowly with age so that between the ages of 50-60 most men will have an enlarged prostate.  As the prostate gland gets bigger, it starts to put a squeeze on the neck of the urethra, blocking the flow of urine from the bladder, as well as the proper functioning of the bladder.  The prostate gland is made up of connective tissue and smooth muscle cells in which are the ducts that are lined with fluid-secreting epithelial or glandular cells.  Prostate enlargement is caused by an overgrowth of prostate cells, which also brings with it another problem known as increased muscle tone.  This is when the muscle cells contract more than usual causing constriction of the urethra.  The glandular cells also secrete a specific protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and as a result of prostate gland enlargement, blood levels of this protein increase, which is used in the diagnosis of BPH.

How does Urimax work?

Urimax capsules 0.2mg contain tamsulosin, which is a medication known as an alpha-blocker (also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonist).  Tamsulosin works directly on the smooth muscle cells in the prostate and on the same cells found in the base of the bladder. 

Smooth muscle tone (how much muscle cells contract) is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system (also known as the autonomic nervous system), which is the part of the nervous system that regulates our body’s unconscious actions, and supplies nerves to the internal organs.  Increased muscle tone is caused by the action of adrenaline, a chemical produced by specific nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system, causing them to contract.  Adrenaline works by locking onto cell surface receptors called alpha-adrenergic receptors, and many of these receptors are found throughout the prostate and the neck of the bladder, which increase in number as the prostate enlarges. 

Tamsulosin in Urimax capsules 0.2mg binds to the alpha-adrenergic receptors in the prostate and neck of the bladder, and this prevents adrenaline binding to its receptor, blocking its action and allowing the smooth muscle cells to relax.  This relieves the pressure caused by the prostate on the bladder and restricts urine flow, and also widens the neck of the bladder at the same time, opening the bladder exit to allow urine to flow more freely. 

Urimax relieves urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but it does not affect the growth of the prostate gland. 

What does Urimax contain?

Urimax capsules 0.2mg contain the active ingredient tamsulosin, an alpha-blocker used to treat and relieve urinary symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate.

What are the side effects of Urimax?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Urimax, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Urimax include dizziness, headache, abnormal ejaculation, asthenia (weakness), postural hypotension (dizziness on standing) and palpitations.  A less common side effect is a persistent painful erection which should be reported to your doctor.

When should Urimax not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Urimax so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Urimax you should consider the following before taking Urimax:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Urimax?
• Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
• Have you experienced orthostatic hypotension, which is dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or lying position

What medications interact with Urimax?

Some medicines interact with Urimax and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Urimax or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include other alpha-blockers that cause relaxation of smooth muscle, the antiinflammatory diclofenac, the anticoagulant warfarin, cimetidine for stomach ulcers, the antifungal ketoconazole. 

If other medications may interact with Urimax, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Urimax be taken and for how long?

You should take your Urimax capsules swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food, once daily at the same time each day.  If you feel dizzy after taking Urimax, it would be better to take it at night to reduce the effect of feeling dizzy.  You should continue to take your Urimax capsules for as long as recommended by your doctor, and your dose may be changed, depending on how well you respond and any side effects you may experience.

Missed dose of Urimax

If you miss a dose of Urimax take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Urimax be stored?

You should store your Urimax below 25°C in a cool, dry place.