Tamsulosin is a selective alpha-1A and alpha-1B adrenoceptor antagonist that exerts its greatest effect in the prostate and bladder, where these receptors are most common.[Label] It is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy.[Label] Antagonism of these receptors leads to relaxation of smooth muscle in the prostate and detrusor muscles in the bladder, allowing for better urinary flow.[Label] Other alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonists developed in the 1980s were less selective and more likely to act on the smooth muscle of blood vessels, resulting in hypotension.[A178351] Tamsulosin was first approved by the FDA on April 15, 1997.[L6238]
Tamsulosin is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.[Label] Tamsulosin is also used off label for the treatment of ureteral stones, prostatitis, and female voiding dysfunction.[A178339,L6259]
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