From the Guidelines
Yes, Flomax (tamsulosin) can be given for kidney stones to help facilitate stone passage. The use of alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin, has been shown to be effective in facilitating the spontaneous passage of ureteral stones, with a statistically significant 29% more patients passing their stones compared to control patients 1. Tamsulosin works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the ureter, which creates a wider pathway for kidney stones to move through the urinary tract.
Some key points to consider when prescribing tamsulosin for kidney stones include:
- The typical dose is 0.4 mg taken once daily to help stones pass more quickly and with less pain
- Tamsulosin is most effective for stones located in the lower part of the ureter and for stones between 5-10 mm in size
- Common side effects include dizziness, headache, abnormal ejaculation, and retrograde ejaculation in men
- Tamsulosin typically works within 2-3 days and is usually prescribed for 2-4 weeks or until the stone passes
- While taking tamsulosin, patients should also drink plenty of water (2-3 liters daily) to help flush out the stone
It's essential to monitor patients for potential complications, such as severe pain, fever, chills, or blood in the urine, and seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur. According to the 2007 guideline for the management of ureteral calculi, alpha blockers, such as tamsulosin, are the preferred agents for medical expulsive therapy (MET) due to their effectiveness in facilitating stone passage 1.
From the Research
Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Kidney Stones
- Flomax, also known as Tamsulosin, is a medication that can be used to help pass kidney stones, specifically ureteral stones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The efficacy of Tamsulosin in facilitating stone passage has been demonstrated in several studies, with a higher stone expulsion rate and shorter stone expulsion time compared to control groups 2, 3, 5, 6.
- Tamsulosin is recommended for patients with ureteral stones less than 10 mm in size who do not require immediate urologic intervention 2.
- The medication is also effective in reducing pain associated with stone expulsion and decreasing the need for analgesics 3, 5.
- However, the effectiveness of Tamsulosin may be diminished in patients with smaller stones (< 5 mm) or larger stones (> 10 mm) 2, 3, 6.
Stone Size and Tamsulosin Efficacy
- Studies have shown that Tamsulosin is most effective for stones between 5-10 mm in size 2, 3, 6.
- For smaller stones (< 5 mm), the effect of Tamsulosin is less significant, and the stone is likely to pass regardless of treatment 2, 6.
- For larger stones (> 10 mm), other treatments such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be more effective 3, 4.