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Flomax vs. Minipress

Are Flomax and Minipress the Same Thing?

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) and Minipress (prazosin hydrochloride) are alpha-blockers used to treat different conditions.

Flomax is used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland).

Minipress is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Side effects of Flomax and Minipress that are similar include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and blurred vision.

Side effects of Flomax that are different from Minipress include back pain, dental problems, sleep problems (insomnia), abnormal ejaculation, decreased sex drive, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough.

Side effects of Minipress that are different from Flomax include tiredness, vomiting, and constipation as your body adjusts to the medication.

Both Flomax and Minipress may interact with erectile dysfunction medicines, heart rhythm medications, and heart or blood pressure medications.

Flomax may also interact with cimetidine, conivaptan, cyclosporine, imatinib, isoniazid, methimazole, pioglitazone, ropinirole, ticlopidine, warfarin, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, anti-malaria medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Minipress may also interact with digoxin, gout medication, diuretics (water pills), pain, fever, or arthritis medication such as aspirin, indomethacin, insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, and sedatives.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Flomax?

Common side effects of Flomax include:

  • dizziness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • weakness,
  • drowsiness,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • back pain,
  • blurred vision,
  • dental problems,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • abnormal ejaculation,
  • decreased sex drive,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • sore throat, or
  • cough.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Minipress?

Common side effects of Minipress include:

  • headache,
  • drowsiness,
  • tiredness,
  • weakness,
  • blurred vision,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea, or
  • constipation as your body adjusts to the medication

Other side effects of Minipress include:

  • lightheadedness or dizziness upon standing, especially after the first dose and shortly after taking a dose of the drug during the first week of treatment.

What is Flomax?

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is an alpha-blocker used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

What is Minipress?

Minipress (clonidine hydrochloride) extended-release is a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Minipress is available in generic form.

 

What Drugs Interact With Flomax?

Flomax may interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines.

Flomax may also interact with cimetidine, cyclosporine, methimazole, pioglitazone, ropinirole, ticlopidine, warfarin, anti-malaria medications, erectile dysfunction medicines, heart rhythm medications, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

What Drugs Interact With Minipress?

Minipress may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Minipress may also interact with propranolol.

 

How Should Flomax Be Taken?

Flomax capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH and dosing should be taken by mouth, usually once daily.

  • Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting.
  • After the first dose, take your regularly scheduled dose 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
  • Drug interaction and warnings include that Flomax capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha andrenergic blocking agents.
  • It should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole).

Flomax capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH and dosing should be taken by mouth, usually once daily.

  • Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting.
  • After the first dose, take your regularly scheduled dose 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
  • Drug interaction and warnings include that Flomax capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha andrenergic blocking agents.
  • It should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole).

How Should Minipress Be Taken?

Initial dose of Minipress is 1 mg two or three times a day. The usual therapeutic dose ranges from 6 mg to 15 mg daily given in divided doses.