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Tamsulosin (Flomax) was the 35th most commonly prescribed drug in the United States in 2017. In that year alone, there were over 20 million prescriptions. Considering how popular this drug is right now, it pays to know a little bit more about this medication, including how long tamsulosin stays in your system.

The FDA states the following information regarding tamsulosin half-life:

Mean effective half-life: 9-15 hours

Time to steady-state: 7.6–10.9 days 

Mean accumulation ratio: 176 (33) percent

Terminal phase half-life: 9 – 15 hours

Tamsulosin has an oral bioavailability of close to 100 percent. This drug is well-absorbed by the body and metabolized by key enzymes in the liver. Less than 10 percent is finally excreted in the urine. 

FAQ

What is the half-life of tamsulosin?

The half-life is between 9 -15 hours.

How long does tamsulosin stay in your system?

Tamsulosin is detectable in your system for the following time frames:

  • Your blood for NA.
  • Your saliva for NA.
  • Your urine for NA
  • Your hair for NA

Typically, this drug stays in the system for about two to three days after the last dose.

Can you just stop taking tamsulosin?

Stopping the drug suddenly will affect the symptoms the patient is experiencing, and they may not improve. Therefore, it is never recommended to suddenly stop taking any medication, including tamsulosin, without first consulting your doctor or a pharmacist.

How long does it take tamsulosin to start working?

It can take up to five days for full benefits such as maximum urine flow.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


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