Flomax (tamsulosin) is safe for women. I can easily understand your concern, since the only advertisements you see for Flomax are directed at men with prostate problems. Also there are other prostate medications such as Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride). These should never be taken by women. They are very different from Flomax.

Flomax is an alpha blocker. It relaxes smooth muscle cells in a variety of tissues. Alpha blockers were originally developed to treat high blood pressure because they relax the smooth muscle cells in arteries. This allows blood to flow more easily, requiring less pressure inside the arteries.

Researchers discovered that alpha blockers also relax the muscles around the prostate and urethra. They tested this on men with prostate problems. Alpha blockers improved symptoms such as a slow urine stream and the frequent urge to urinate.

Flomax was designed to work more on the muscles around the prostate and urethra with less effect on blood pressure.

More recently, doctors found another use for Flomax and related drugs. Alpha blockers relax the smooth muscles in the ureters, the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

You were prescribed Flomax because your extracorporeal lithotripsy treatment uses shock waves to break kidney stones into smaller pieces. These pieces are then swept away by urinating. The Flomax will help allow the pieces to pass without getting stuck.

There is no set number of days that Flomax should be used for this purpose. Most studies arbitrarily chose 10 to 14 days. But individual circumstances would determine a shorter or longer course.

Your pharmacist was correct. Allergic reactions to Flomax in people who have a sulfa allergy are rare, but can occur. So, if you develop any rash or feel unwell, stop taking the drug and talk with your doctor.