Flomax and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cod...
• July 14, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Almost immediately elimination of nighttime visits to the bathroom, and accompanying discomfort of urination. Could sleep all night, and in the morning, no painful urination. First night or two encountered mild side effects including mild nasal congestion and minor headaches or occasional back pain, but side effects went away after a few days. Certainly manageable but sensed no immediate or significant flow improvements (strange). Now two weeks in, flow is improving. No erection issues except reduced semen (who cares) and occasional multiple orgasms, a great trade-off. Give it a try for a month unless side effects are unbearable, but keep in mind such posts and blogs usually attract folks who have issues rather than those who don't."

• JJa...
• April 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Stones "I am a 42-year-old woman. I was prescribed Flomax for kidney stones. I have been on this for almost 2 weeks, but I just can't take the side effects anymore. My head and neck hurt so bad, and it will not go away no matter what I do. I feel dizzy, weak, and very 'winded', it seems hard to catch my breath. I feel in a catch-22 because it helps the urine flow, but I just feel so awful otherwise... ???"

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Stones "I tried to pass a 5.5-millimeter kidney stone for four days. Finally went for help. Two days of Flomax and the stone was out. I felt nothing except a brief slice at the urethra opening as it exited. I am a woman, so the Flomax is prescribed off-label. It did give me a bit of a headache, but nothing too bad. Not sure how that would have worked out with a longer run of Flomax. I’m very grateful my ER doctor prescribed it."

• Bud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2015

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I am currently almost 65 years of age. For several years, I suffered off and on with symptoms of BPH (frequent urination, difficulty urinating, weak stream, etc.) day and night. Sometimes, I would wake up 8-10 times a night for bathroom visits. Not being a person who goes to doctors regularly, I tried about every OTC and home remedy I could find. Two months ago, I finally visited a doctor and described my condition. He prescribed Flomax, and I started noticing improvement within a few weeks of taking it. After about five weeks, I was sleeping 6-7 hours between bathroom visits. I have noticed no side effects other than slight occasional headaches, which may or may not be related to the use of Flomax. Thank you, Flomax!"

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2021

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have mixed feelings about Flomax. The sexual side effects should by now be well known, and doctors and pharmacists should be discussing but sometimes fail to do so. Flomax is very seldom given to young men, commonly, it is given to those 50+. If you are sexually active, the side effects can be problematic. If you are not sexually active, the sexual side effects can be a good thing. I fall into the latter category, and a diminished libido, combined with a gentler ejaculation, is a good thing. But, after being on Flomax continually for about a week, the back and joint pain starts. Not good. The nasal congestion and headaches, also not good. I discussed with my doctor, she suggested that I try taking it every second day. So far, so good."

• Ipe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2018

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "While Flomax definitely helps with ease and volume of urination, the side effects are just too much. This is the second time I’ve tried it. The first time (about a year ago) I stopped for the horrible side effects and decided I would never take it again. This time I guess I forgot about those because I told my doctor I wanted to try it again. Within a day or two, I stopped getting up as much at night, I had a more powerful stream, and I didn’t feel the urgent sensation to pee as much. I also experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, toothaches, ejaculation problems, and for some reason, it makes me have a hard time breathing. I’m stopping it today for the second time. Hopefully, I’ll remember these side effects the next time I think I might want to take it."

• mes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "After 1 week of Flomax, urine flow was slightly affected. I have started experiencing dizziness, extreme fatigue, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, chills, body aches, and flu-like symptoms. Goodbye Flomax."

• yam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

For Urinary Tract Stones "Prescribed Flomax for a possible kidney stone. Took around 6 pm. Didn't notice much, became a bit drowsy, pain seemed to be better but remained a bit. Around midnight, when trying to sleep, is when the terror started. Couldn't seem to sleep, but when I finally started to doze off, I suddenly awoke with a full-blown panic attack. Hard to breathe, racing heart, room spinning, going in and out of consciousness while on the phone with 911. EMS showed up and stuck around a while. I decided to stay home and try and sleep again. Again, the same thing happened. Right before falling asleep, panic attack again but this time less severe. By now, it's 5 am. I decided to try to sleep once more. If not, I was going to the ER. I somehow got about 2 hours of sleep and woke up with a massive headache. After taking some painkillers, I managed to doze off, and by noon, the nightmare was over. I do NOT recommend this medication!!!"

• Pop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Upon starting on Flomax, urination flow was 100% improved. After 1 month, urine flow somewhat diminished but was still much better than without taking Flomax. I am trying to work through side effects, including a mild headache, lightheadedness, diminished libido/sexual desire, diminished volume in bowel movements, and gas. I am in my 3rd month of Flomax and am not sure the benefits will outweigh the many side effects I am experiencing."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2011

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Initially, I took the low dosage and flow improved for about a week. Then the condition worsened. My doctor then upped my dosage to two pills per day. Same thing happened initially - flow improved and then reverted back to the prior condition. But as I continued to use the drug (2 times a day), the improved condition returned. Sometimes the flow is better than other times - like when my bladder is more full. Trips to the bathroom at night were reduced to 0 to 1 time. Side effects. Initially, I experienced many side effects - runny nose, minor headache, aches and weakness in my back and shoulder, and retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation is the only side effect that seems to persist."

• Dru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2019

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I am 52 years old and have been taking this drug for the last 2 years. I have finally come to the conclusion that the side effects of Flomax and what I am feeling are real. Mostly fatigue, body aches and pains, and headaches associated with back pain and sinus aches and pains. My libido is mostly okay, and sex is normal. Thinking seriously of stopping this med and seeing what happens."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2018

For Urinary Tract Stones "After being diagnosed with a 6mm stone that was in the 'funnel' of my right kidney, I was given Flomax. I took it for 8 days before I was scheduled for lithotripsy. I felt nothing unusual ever, although my urine stopped having blood in it. When I went for the litho, they could not locate the stone. I had passed it and did not know it! It worked so well for me that I think everyone should ask about this if you have a kidney stone. It's a lot less traumatic than lithotripsy and a stent. I rated 9/10 because it did give me a headache."

• KKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2019

For Urinary Tract Stones "I was prescribed Flomax to help with expelling a kidney stone. Initially, it made me feel sluggish and like I was in a fog. After five days, more severe side effects started—throbbing headache, lack of appetite, chills, flu-like symptoms, difficulty sleeping, and severe diarrhea. The side effects of this medication were really terrible. Stopped it after five days due to awful side effects."

• Ric...
• September 25, 2019

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Wow! Took Flomax one time, and it greatly improved urine flow and got rid of urgency! The downside was a pounding headache and the complete elimination of ejaculate. It’s a shame... I had high hopes! Doctor recommended discontinuing use immediately, which I already had done. He recommended Saw Palmetto. We’ll see how that goes! Desperate for a solution!"

• nz_...
• September 19, 2011

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Taking a 0.4 mg capsule resulted in side effects that made me want to stop taking Flomax. I now open a capsule and pour out half of the contents, resulting in a 0.2 mg dose in the re-sealed capsule and another 0.2 mg dose that I put into a tiny piece of dough. I am 62 years old, had 2 types of radiation treatment for prostate cancer 7 years ago; I am taking Flomax to counter the feeling of urgency to urinate frequently (due to the bladder not fully emptying during urination). Flomax side effects include headaches, insomnia, and stuffy sinuses; however, I need to stay on Flomax longer (than 1 week) to make a definite conclusion. 7 years ago, I had no bad side effects but stopped due to the price of Flomax."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2023

"I am 49 years old and had bladder surgery 5.5 weeks ago. I have been unable to urinate naturally since the surgery. Due to the use of catheters, I am on my second UTI. My doc put me on Flomax to see if it would help me begin urinating on my own. I have taken 3 doses and will not be taking any more. Congestion, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting. I have never had so many negative experiences with a medication."

• fea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2015

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Dizziness, blurred vision, sore head, itchy rash, but it did help the flow rate of passing urine. But it did not stop the frequent trips to the toilet at night, 5 to 6 times. No full night's sleep. Seeing a professor to change the drug if possible."

• Wha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I was prescribed this after finding out I have rather early onset BPH. I'm only 30, I was given this drug as a trial of a week, and I was afraid it'd make me lose bladder control or something, so I put off taking it for a bit, but decided the effects of BPH were annoying enough to finally try it. While I'm happy to report that I did not pee myself, I am unhappy to report that it didn't really help either. It's really hard to tell, and I am trying to be fair, because from the second I took this pill, I have felt like I have a horrible flu. My head hurts, my teeth ache, my body is fatigued. I couldn't even masturbate to pass the time because of this drug. I would take a pass on this drug unless you are absolutely desperate. I would have very much liked to tell you the pros and cons after a week, but I won't be taking a second pill."

• Won...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2025

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I had taken Flomax before when I had prostatitis (bacterial infection of prostate), and it worked well for urine flow and had few side effects, if any, normal course 30 days. But now that I am much older, I am on Flomax daily (0.4 mg) for the last 3 months, and for the last month, I have had a nonstop thudding headache, fatigue, reduced energy, focusing problems with dizziness out of the blue that lasts for a minute or so and goes away. While Flomax has increased my urine flow rate so that I only get up once a night instead of three times, I am going to curb my use of it as the side effects are becoming a problem. The drug works, no doubt about it, but at what cost?"

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2023

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I used and took Flomax (Tamsulosin) for 2 weeks and noticed side effects of bad headaches, dizziness, fainting, and a stuffed nose. I do not recommend it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I took one pill. That was enough for me. Headache, stuffy head, in a fog. No thanks. Medication is supposed to make you feel better, not worse!!!"