Dutasteride/tamsulosin and Alcohol/Food Interactions

Ask your doctor before using ethanol (alcohol) together with tamsulosin. Using ethanol (alcohol) with tamsulosin can lower your blood pressure. This can cause dizziness or feeling like you might pass out, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position. This may be more likely to occur when you first start taking either of these medications. You may need a dose adjustment or need your blood pressure checked more often if you take both medications. You may develop flushing, warmth or redness under your skin or tingly feeling after alcohol intake (especially in you are of Asian descent) and should be advised to avoid alcohol or limit your intake. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may delay the gastrointestinal absorption of tamsulosin. The time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) is reached by 4 to 5 hours under fasted conditions and by 6 to 7 hours when tamsulosin is administered with food. The delay in Tmax has the desirable effect of smoothing the tamsulosin plasma concentration profile, thereby reducing fluctuation of the plasma peak and trough concentrations with multiple dosing. Food may also affect the extent of absorption of tamsulosin. It has been reported that taking tamsulosin under fasted conditions results in a 30% increase in bioavailability (AUC) and 40% to 70% increase in peak plasma concentration (Cmax) compared to fed conditions. The effects of food on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin are consistent regardless of whether tamsulosin is taken with a light meal or a high-fat meal.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure uniformity of absorption, tamsulosin should be administered approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day.