Tamsulosin Hydrochloride

TAMSULOSIN HYDROCHLORIDE — tamsulosin hydrochloride capsule
Physicians Total Care, Inc.

1. INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [see Clinical Studies (14)]. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension.

2. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. It should be administered approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day.

For those patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing, the dose of tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules can be increased to 0.8 mg once daily. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

If tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules administration is discontinued or interrupted for several days at either the 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg dose, therapy should be started again with the 0.4 mg once-daily dose.

3. DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg – Bright orange opaque body and light green opaque cap imprinted with “G821” in black ink on the cap and body. Contains white to off-white spherical particles

4. CONTRAINDICATIONS

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to tamsulosin hydrochloride or any component of tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules. Reactions have included skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, and respiratory symptoms [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

5. WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Orthostasis

The signs and symptoms of orthostasis (postural hypotension, dizziness, and vertigo) were detected more frequently in tamsulosin hydrochloride capsule-treated patients than in placebo recipients. As with other alpha adrenergic blocking agents there is a potential risk of syncope [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients beginning treatment with tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should be cautioned to avoid situations in which injury could result should syncope occur [see Patient Counseling Information (17.1)].

5.2 Drug Interactions

Tamsulosin is extensively metabolized, mainly by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should be used with caution in combination with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin), in combination with strong (e.g., paroxetine) or moderate (e.g., terbinafine) inhibitors of CYP2D6, in patients known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should be used with caution in combination with cimetidine, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha adrenergic blocking agents [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Caution is advised when alpha adrenergic blocking agents including tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are co-administered with PDE5 inhibitors. Alpha-adrenergic blockers and PDE5 inhibitors are both vasodilators that can lower blood pressure. Concomitant use of these two drug classes can potentially cause symptomatic hypotension [see Drug Interactions (7.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

Caution should be exercised with concomitant administration of warfarin and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules [See Drug Interactions (7.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

5.3 Priapism

Rarely (probably less than 1 in 50,000 patients), tamsulosin, like other alpha₁ antagonists, has been associated with priapism (persistent painful penile erection unrelated to sexual activity). Because this condition can lead to permanent impotence if not properly treated, patients must be advised about the seriousness of the condition [see Patient Counseling Information (17.2)].

5.4 Screening for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer and BPH frequently co-exist; therefore, patients should be screened for the presence of prostate cancer prior to treatment with tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules and at regular intervals afterwards [see Patient Counseling Information (17.3)].

5.5 Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome

​ Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients on or previously treated with alpha₁ blockers, including tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

Most reports were in patients taking the alpha₁ blocker when IFIS occurred, but in some cases, the alpha₁ blocker had been stopped prior to surgery. In most of these cases, the alpha₁ blocker had been stopped recently prior to surgery (2 to 14 days), but in a few cases, IFIS was reported after the patient had been off the alpha₁ blocker for a longer period (5 weeks to 9 months). IFIS is a variant of small pupil syndrome and is characterized by the combination of a flaccid iris that billows in response to intraoperative irrigation currents, progressive intraoperative miosis despite preoperative dilation with standard mydriatic drugs and potential prolapse of the iris toward the phacoemulsification incisions. The patient’s ophthalmologist should be prepared for possible modifications to their surgical technique, such as the utilization of iris hooks, iris dilator rings, or viscoelastic substances. The benefit of stopping alpha₁ blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery has not been established.

​ IFIS may increase the risk of eye complications during and after the operation. The benefit of stopping alpha1 blocker therapy prior to cataract surgery has not been established. The initiation of therapy with tamsulosin in patients for whom cataract surgery is scheduled is not recommended.

5.6 Sulfa Allergy

In patients with sulfa allergy, allergic reaction to tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules has been rarely reported. If a patient reports a serious or life-threatening sulfa allergy, caution is warranted when administering tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules.

6. ADVERSE REACTIONS

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events has been ascertained from six short-term U.S. and European placebo-controlled clinical trials in which daily doses of 0.1 to 0.8 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules were used. These studies evaluated safety in 1783 patients treated with tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules and 798 patients administered placebo. Table 1 summarizes the treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in ≥2% of patients receiving either tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0.4 mg or 0.8 mg and at an incidence numerically higher than that in the placebo group during two 13-week U.S. trials (US92-03A and US93-01) conducted in 1487 men.

Table 1 Treatment-Emergent * Adverse Events Occurring in ≥2% of Tamsulosin Hydrochloride Capsules or Placebo Patients in Two U.S. Short-Term Placebo-Controlled Clinical Studies

BODY SYSTEM/ADVERSE EVENT	TAMSULOSIN HYDROCHLORIDE CAPSULES GROUPS		PLACEBO
	0.4 mgn=502	0.8 mgn=492	n=493
* A treatment-emergent adverse event was defined as any event satisfying one of the following criteria: The adverse event occurred for the first time after initial dosing with double-blind study medication. The adverse event was present prior to or at the time of initial dosing with double-blind study medication and subsequently increased in severity during double-blind treatment; or The adverse event was present prior to or at the time of initial dosing with double-blind study medication, disappeared completely, and then reappeared during double-blind treatment. † Coding preferred terms also include cold, common cold, head cold, flu, and flu-like symptoms. ‡ Coding preferred terms also include nasal congestion, stuffy nose, runny nose, sinus congestion, and hay fever.
BODY AS WHOLE
Headache	97 (19.3%)	104 (21.1%)	99 (20.1%)
Infection †	45 (9.0%)	53 (10.8%)	37 (7.5%)
Asthenia	39 (7.8%)	42 (8.5%)	27 (5.5%)
Back pain	35 (7.0%)	41 (8.3%)	27 (5.5%)
Chest pain	20 (4.0%)	20 (4.1%)	18 (3.7%)
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Dizziness	75 (14.9%)	84 (17.1%)	50 (10.1%)
Somnolence	15 (3.0%)	21 (4.3%)	8 (1.6%)
Insomnia	12 (2.4%)	7 (1.4%)	3 (0.6%)
Libido decreased	5 (1.0%)	10 (2.0%)	6 (1.2%)
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Rhinitis ‡	66 (13.1%)	88 (17.9%)	41 (8.3%)
Pharyngitis	29 (5.8%)	25 (5.1%)	23 (4.7%)
Cough increased	17 (3.4%)	22 (4.5%)	12 (2.4%)
Sinusitis	11 (2.2%)	18 (3.7%)	8 (1.6%)
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diarrhea	31 (6.2%)	21 (4.3%)	22 (4.5%)
Nausea	13 (2.6%)	19 (3.9%)	16 (3.2%)
Tooth disorder	6 (1.2%)	10 (2.0%)	7 (1.4%)
UROGENITAL SYSTEM
Abnormal ejaculation	42 (8.4%)	89 (18.1%)	1 (0.2%)
SPECIAL SENSES
Blurred vision	1 (0.2%)	10 (2.0%)	2 (0.4%)