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Hi a a kelly,
Thank you for your question! Flomax is not FDA approved for use in women for any reason. Flomax works by blocking a certain type of receptor in the prostate, which causes relaxation of the prostate, allowing men to urinate more easily. However, doctors have the authority to write for non-approved uses, which are called "off-label" uses. Personally, I've never seen Flomax used in women. I hope this helps!
Best of luck,
Casey
Hi,
We actually had a recent question from a woman about using Flomax for kidney stones. You can check out the answer in Dr. Motola's sharepost: Flomax for Kidney Stones: Can It Be Used by Women?
Here's the full drug information for Flomax.
-Dan
Flomax is sometimes prescribed for females for urinary retention. It is an alpha blocker, which works in males because there are alpha receptors in the prostate. It has recently been discovered that there are also alpha receptors in the female bladder neck. Hope this helps!
my mother was recently prescribed Flomax for uriniary retention. do you know how long this suppose to take to work?
Tell your Mom to hang in there - it took over 3 weeks before I could tell it was working, but it is sooo wonderful now. I can just go without thinking about it, without stopping, and without struggling to get started. I am still taking it, and very pleased. Hope this helps.
Was there lots of side effects to this drug in women?
Definately. I know this because I was prescribed it a little over a year ago. I had urinary hesitancy after a bout of completely being unable to urinate for 3 days. It helps some. Last time I checked I was a female...LOL. I do get some funny looks at the hospital or docs offices when I tell them I'm on flomax. It's always "isn't that the prostrate drug?"
I have multiple bilateral(both sides) kidney stones. My urologist just put me on flomax because she said it opens up the urethra allowing the small stones to pass through.
As of today,7/16/09.I also am on ..Flomax.and am,Female! Today My Urologist,Doc G,gave it to me due to my rather Inability,to empty out at ANYTIME!!!May I also add they do give this drug to women who have havd ,SPINE INJURYS,MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS(myself),PARKINSONS,etc...as this drug could... I say COULD... save them from having to CATH.... which,would be a Blessing in its self!..Since I just took my 1st pill....my OPINION... IS OF NO VALUE JUST YET,,,I just Pray... it does what Doc G and I dicussed it could DO!!!!! ..........Best of Luck to anyone else... beginning ... the road to the Bathroom!!!!
how are you making out. i started taking flomax and I had a tumor on my spine. hope it works for me also since i don't want to cath either
I have multiple sclerosis and my doctor just prescribes Flomax because I can't completely void and it hurts! I have no infection .. just difficulty voiding.. can't sleep because of it .. I will give it a try ! I may also do the uretra dilation.. sc
Yes, females are sometimes prescribed Flomax. My doctor gave me samples and didn't write a presecription. Maybe because it isn't yet approved for women and he doesn't want a trail. Hmmm. I wish that I had found this site sooner. So far I've been taking it for about a week. I've noticed some difference in my urine flow, but not enough to say that it's truly working. I also have multiple sclerosis and have to look for potential drug interactions. I recommend registering your meds with "IGuard" for medication updates and interactions. Before taking, ask your doctor about FDA approval. Hopes this helps!
I was just seen yesterday for a full cystoscope and Urodynamic-flowmetry test. I am female, have MS and am unable to pass urine easily, although my bladder is strong and spastic. My syndrome is called dyssynergic bladder. The bladder and sphincter are out of sync. "Bladder says GO, urethra says NOPE!"
The Dr. has prescribed Flomax, which can take 3-4 weeks to work. I have to have my cardiologist OK it, as I already have low blood pressure and that's a side effect. I am very hopeful for results, as my next option is Botox injections which can result in dribbling or incontinence.
I think Flomax will be more widely prescribed for women once patients become aware of the possible benefits, and Dr.'s can convince them of it's value. I know I'm very hopeful for a good night's sleep!!
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I was recently prescribed Flomax because of trouble emptying my bladder. I was unsure about taking it as all the info. I read said it was for men only but I tried it and I'm very glad I did. I can honestly see a difference - less trips to the bathroom.
My urologist said that yes Flomax CAN be prescribed for women who are having trouble with frequent urination or emptying the bladder entirely. It is like a muscle relaxant and makes it easier to fully empty. This is verified by several of the Nurses' Drug Manuals I checked (my step-daughter is a nurse). While Flomax is mainly for the male prostrate, the off-label use as a help to women with urinary tract problems is known, and no it's not considered dangerous.
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I was given flomax due to kidney stones,so is this something that will help me.And isnt folmax for men. Thanks
I am glad to see these answers/discussion. I have a kidney stone that passed into my bladder but is too big to pass through the urethra. The little devil has caused me great trouble for a couple of weeks so far, obstructing urine from passing, causing urgency and frequency of needing to go, terrible pain trying to urinate and eventually bleeding from the straining. Before I verified that it was a stone causing the problem, I joked that, if I were a man, the symptoms would make me suspect that I had an enlarged prostate. Imagine my surprise yesterday when the doctor put me on Flomax, just as if I really did have an enlarged prostate! He said it would relax the urethra to try to allow the stone to pass without surgery. BUT when I filled the prescription, the warning label read in large bold capital letters that it was not approved for use in women. To me, that is scary. What a quandry -- should I take it or not? I have taken it for 2 days now, and the pain is easier to bear and the urine is flowing better already. For that, I am grateful. However, I do have blurry vision today, and I see that is a side effect. I hope the stone passes soon so I do not have to continue to be a female Flomax guinea pig.
I am a female and was prescribed flomax 8 weeks ago for frequent urination problems and problems starting and emptying. I don't have MS or a spinal tumor those have been ruled out but I do have unexplained back & leg pain & weakness. It has helped with all of my problems I don't go as much but still go a little more than normal so my Dr. just told me to try taking it twice a day for a week to see if I can tolerate without dizziness and see how it goes. I took Vesicare and it didn't seem to make a difference. I'm just curious if anyone has experienced weight gain from taking this medication?
I was given Flomax to take i pill per day for I C. Right now I have a terrible flare up and they think this might calm it down. Does anyone elese do this or know anything about this?? I am so miserable at this point with pain I will try anything.....
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I am a homecare RN and I currently have a female patient who is on Flomax. This was a first for me. She has bladder emptying problems and currently has a foley catheter. They are removing the catheter in a few days and if the flomax doesn't help her bladder issues once the catheter is out she will be having a suprapubic catheter permanently inserted. (this catheter is placed directly into the bladder by creating an incision/opening into the lower abdominal/stomach wall). While talking to one of my nursing supervisors at the agency I work for...she said that there is starting to be and increased incidence of women being prescribed flomax. Hmmm...learn something new everyday. lol