Flomax Lawsuit

Side effects of Flomax have been shown to double the risk of older men developing a serious eye complications after cataract surgery, known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS).

STATUS OF FLOMAX LAWSUITS: The potential for litigation over Flomax eye problems after cataract surgery is being reviewed and evaluated, as some experts have suggested that stronger warnings should be provided about the risk.

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MANUFACTURER: Boehringer Ingelheim

OVERVIEW: Flomax (tamulosin) is a prescription medication used to treat urinary problems in men with enlarged prostates. Since it was introduced in 1997, it has become a widely used drug, as nearly three-quarters of men are affected by an enlarged prostate by the age of 70.

Flomax is a member of a family of drugs called alpha-adrenergic blockers, which work by relaxing veins and arteries so that blood can flow easily by them. It is used primarily to address urination difficulties in men, such as waking up during the night, frequent urination and urgent needs to urinate caused by a condition known as BPH.

However, studies have found that Flomax may also relax smooth muscles in the eye, potentially resulting in complications after cataract surgery among older men.

FLOMAX SIDE EFFECTS AFTER CATARACT SURGERY: The use of Flomax before cataract surgery has been known to increase the risk of an eye complication known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS). However, research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association in May 2009 indicated that the risk may be more substantial than previously indicated by the manufacturer.

Approximately 2 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States, and most involve older individuals.

Research has found that when taken within two weeks of cataract surgery, Flomax side effects more than double the risk of men over 65 developing Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome. Although the complications were most severe when taken within two weeks of cataract surgery, the Flomax eye problems have been seen among patients who stopped using the medication up to a year before surgery.

INTRAOPERATIVE FLOPPY IRIS SYNDROME: Information about the potential risk of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome is currently contained in the prescription information foro Flomax, under “General Precautions.” However, experts have suggested that stronger warnings may be necessary to protect the public from the potential risk.

Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) can cause poor papillary dilation and iris prolapse. It could result in retinal detachment, loss of lens fragments into the eye or eye inflammation.

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26 Comments

  • CharlesMarch 17, 2024 at 12:26 pm

    Permanent no ejaculation on tamsoulin wish I never heard of the stuff Ended up getting resume treatment took care of the problem without pills ejaculation will not return

  • WARDELLFebruary 10, 2024 at 11:54 am

    I've been taking tamsulosin since 20018. Now my prostate has gotten worse, I have to push every thing in my body just to pee... As for my Eyes, not long after the cataract surgery in 2022 I have trouble focusing on reading, teaching Bible study and it's hard to see the words while preaching the Gospel.

  • AmandaSeptember 28, 2022 at 6:03 pm

    My husband took Flomax for several years before needing cataract surgery. Since then his pupils don’t open as they should when night comes, leaving him unable to see in dim light and at night! His quality of life has been deeply affected!

  • MelissaFebruary 20, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    My dad was prescribed Flomax sometime around 2010 and I noticed that he was not ok when he came to visit me after becoming completely disoriented in his own hotel room. This was followed by a series of unexplained fainting spells, that were continually explained away as stress-induced by his GP at the time until finally there was a correlation made and he was told to stop taking the medication. Si[Show More]My dad was prescribed Flomax sometime around 2010 and I noticed that he was not ok when he came to visit me after becoming completely disoriented in his own hotel room. This was followed by a series of unexplained fainting spells, that were continually explained away as stress-induced by his GP at the time until finally there was a correlation made and he was told to stop taking the medication. Since then, he has had developed issues with his eyes, and had to have cataracts surgery, which resulted in complications that we are just discovering from self-research could be connected to the Flomax. He also has macular degeneration in his other eye. He was certainly not warned of all of these potential side-effects. It's clear that his case is similar to many others and it is sickening.

  • LaVonnFebruary 2, 2021 at 2:52 am

    After taking Flomax for a very short time, my husband went off the drug and had his first seizure. I'm not saying this drug is the cause, however, after speaking to four different people and reading the comments online of the side effects of Flowmax, it appears pretty coincidental. He was a pretty healthful guy; working out, eats veggies and fruits, does not drink or take drugs. if anyone wants [Show More]After taking Flomax for a very short time, my husband went off the drug and had his first seizure. I'm not saying this drug is the cause, however, after speaking to four different people and reading the comments online of the side effects of Flowmax, it appears pretty coincidental. He was a pretty healthful guy; working out, eats veggies and fruits, does not drink or take drugs. if anyone wants to file a class action suit, we would be interested. P.S. One guy said his dad fell and died after hitting his head and he believes it was the Flomax.

  • PaulFebruary 1, 2021 at 4:01 am

    I started taking Tamsulosin for my enlarged prostate in 2015 and in 2017 was diagnosed with stage 4 - aggressive prostate cancer. I noticed my sexual drive began dropping off about a year before my diagnosis of prostate cancer and by about six months before I had my prostate surgically removed I had no sexual drive at all and haven't had since. This saddens me more than anything as I know my wife [Show More]I started taking Tamsulosin for my enlarged prostate in 2015 and in 2017 was diagnosed with stage 4 - aggressive prostate cancer. I noticed my sexual drive began dropping off about a year before my diagnosis of prostate cancer and by about six months before I had my prostate surgically removed I had no sexual drive at all and haven't had since. This saddens me more than anything as I know my wife is a normal human being with needs also and before I started taking this drug we had a very healthy sexual relationship. I also have cataracts and will be needing surgery in the next 5 years or so. I'm not sure if I want to risk surgery knowing the potential for continued problems and loss further loss of eyesight. As I understand it, the manufacturer knew of the potential side affects and made no effort to remove it from the market. My vision has dropped off considerably since I began taking the Tamsulosin also. I also had fainting or blackouts while on this drug.

  • BillDecember 1, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    I had surgery for kidney stones and after doctor put me on Flomax and within a week I blacked out on back porch and woke up on blacktop with a fractured femur and ripped rotor cup After 6 months I am still on a cane and rotor cup is still torn I have never blacked out in my entire life except for Flomax

  • DonaldMay 27, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    Experienced eriction problems, axoospermia, and macular degeneration due to taking Tamsulosin for my prostate enlargement problems. I used this product from Dec 2016 - June 2018. I first notice a decrease in sexual desire within one month after starting this drug. Within three months I had very little sperm at ejaculation. I a years time I had developed Azoospermia and nothing came out at ej[Show More]Experienced eriction problems, axoospermia, and macular degeneration due to taking Tamsulosin for my prostate enlargement problems. I used this product from Dec 2016 - June 2018. I first notice a decrease in sexual desire within one month after starting this drug. Within three months I had very little sperm at ejaculation. I a years time I had developed Azoospermia and nothing came out at ejaculation. VA doctors are clueless as to what is causing these side effects. In May 2018 I developed macular degeneration in one eye. I do not smoke, use drugs, or engage in any unusual activities. I stopped taking this medication and symptoms of Azoospermia and libido returned to a satisfactory level after 1 year. I still suffer from low sperm ejaculations, sex drive and macular degeneration; for which I am currently receiving Lucentis eye injections for. This drug has substantially altered my life forever.

  • MarkNovember 22, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    Tamsulosin type of drugs cause sexual side effects that i was not warned about ... for several years while taking the generic form of flomax, Tamsulosin, when i would have a climax, no ejaculate would exit my penis.This caused me to be unable to produce a baby with my spouse ! 3-4 months after stopping use of that drug, it only somewhat resumed normalcy, but not the previous amount or flow volume [Show More]Tamsulosin type of drugs cause sexual side effects that i was not warned about ... for several years while taking the generic form of flomax, Tamsulosin, when i would have a climax, no ejaculate would exit my penis.This caused me to be unable to produce a baby with my spouse ! 3-4 months after stopping use of that drug, it only somewhat resumed normalcy, but not the previous amount or flow volume or pressure of sperm as previously experienced.

  • ScottMay 9, 2018 at 3:12 am

    I started taking Flomax and tamsulosin for a hyper active bladder. Needing to urinate every 10 minutes or so, with no appreciable urine discharge. It finally slowed down the frequency, but the difficulty of going, and the sometimes painful discharge remained. After a period of time, my sexual activity was curtailed, by lack of ejaculation, and then ED. No doctor would ever acknowledge the possibi[Show More]I started taking Flomax and tamsulosin for a hyper active bladder. Needing to urinate every 10 minutes or so, with no appreciable urine discharge. It finally slowed down the frequency, but the difficulty of going, and the sometimes painful discharge remained. After a period of time, my sexual activity was curtailed, by lack of ejaculation, and then ED. No doctor would ever acknowledge the possibility of a connection to Tamsulosin. I finally quit. Now I have Ed and diabetes, and what about a future cataract surgery? Doctors and pharmacies may be too tight on this drug!

  • THADDEUSOctober 18, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    My urologist prescribed tamsulosin (generic Flomax) to treat my urinary urgency at night. I have been taking it for two years now with little relief. Now, I am needing cataract surgery (Toric lenses) to treat the cloudiness developed over the past several years as an insulin-dependent diabetic with severe astigmatism. But, the routine questionaire I was given by my opthalmologist now asked me "[Show More]My urologist prescribed tamsulosin (generic Flomax) to treat my urinary urgency at night. I have been taking it for two years now with little relief. Now, I am needing cataract surgery (Toric lenses) to treat the cloudiness developed over the past several years as an insulin-dependent diabetic with severe astigmatism. But, the routine questionaire I was given by my opthalmologist now asked me "Have you ever taken tamsulosin?" Now, I know why!!! Thanks!

  • DonJuly 13, 2017 at 2:28 am

    I was riding with my ex-wife down the street one day and I got the sudden urge that I had to pee then when I got out of the car I felt like there was something blocking and I could not pee I peed a little bit been kept feeling the urge to have to pee so I go to the doctor he tells me I have BPH now remember this time at 25 years of age so he gives me a prescription for Flomax I've been on Flomax e[Show More]I was riding with my ex-wife down the street one day and I got the sudden urge that I had to pee then when I got out of the car I felt like there was something blocking and I could not pee I peed a little bit been kept feeling the urge to have to pee so I go to the doctor he tells me I have BPH now remember this time at 25 years of age so he gives me a prescription for Flomax I've been on Flomax every since not regularly because I can't find doctors to prescribe them to me all the time I do not have a regular physician so I get them when I can and yes it did help for a while but now they do not work I cannot see barely anything and I can hardly walk I have no circulation in lower half of my body my blood vessels are all tight been to doctor after doctor and they can't figure out what's wrong I believe it's due to the Flomax and I believe that I have a kidney stone stuck in my urine tube and that is the problem I told him that I told other doctors that that they just send me more Flomax

  • RalphApril 7, 2017 at 1:00 am

    I made a trial of Flomax and experienced a loss of libido. Today my ophthalmologist stated that due to Flomax I have developed Floppy Iris Syndrome which will severely put a successful cataract surgery at risk due to the failure of the iris to dilate sufficiently for the surgeon to operate in a constricted space. Many difficulties can result, including total loss of vision. Why is this drug still [Show More]I made a trial of Flomax and experienced a loss of libido. Today my ophthalmologist stated that due to Flomax I have developed Floppy Iris Syndrome which will severely put a successful cataract surgery at risk due to the failure of the iris to dilate sufficiently for the surgeon to operate in a constricted space. Many difficulties can result, including total loss of vision. Why is this drug still on the market?!

  • JeffApril 25, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    My name is Jeff from 52 and I was having prostatitis infections my general doctor put me on Flomax because you're a nation was very difficult Even After The Infection has seemed to clear. She did a prostate exam but could not feel anything forgive me for saying because her fingers were so small. Everytime I take the drug my ankle on my right side swells up huge and turns black and blue I cycle the[Show More]My name is Jeff from 52 and I was having prostatitis infections my general doctor put me on Flomax because you're a nation was very difficult Even After The Infection has seemed to clear. She did a prostate exam but could not feel anything forgive me for saying because her fingers were so small. Everytime I take the drug my ankle on my right side swells up huge and turns black and blue I cycle the drug only taking it once in awhile when I urination gets very difficult. In between taking the drug at first the swelling would go away and come back once I started taking it again now however it never goes away it's like it's done damage to my the valves in my veins. I don't know what to do no doctors will listen to me

  • joeJuly 7, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    diabetes from Flomax

  • kerryMarch 20, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    not sure if my eyes has been affected...but the drug had me with a bad feel. All i can say is I haven't been the same since.My sexual appetite has gone and i am only 54. my mouth and lips are dry and my lip swells and peels.

  • GiselaMarch 3, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    My fiancee took Flomax for a few years. He started fainting and stopped taking flomax and had prostate surgery. His dizzyness and fainting continued. He had very low BP from that time on and died suddenly in 2011 of low BP. He was only 56 and otherwise healthy. Has this side effect killed anyone else518

  • ReginaldAugust 1, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    I started taken this medicaton Flomax last year around the summer of 2011. Since that time my walking started to slow up, I did have a light stroke in 2009 but was getting around pretty good with the help of a walker. As of May,2011 I CAN'T WALK AT ALL! In your comments I noticed someone else witrh leg & feet problems. Is there something that can be done to help us? This medicine was pr[Show More]I started taken this medicaton Flomax last year around the summer of 2011. Since that time my walking started to slow up, I did have a light stroke in 2009 but was getting around pretty good with the help of a walker. As of May,2011 I CAN'T WALK AT ALL! In your comments I noticed someone else witrh leg & feet problems. Is there something that can be done to help us? This medicine was prescribed because of uriuary problems, and I also have leg and feet swelling.

  • JoeOctober 22, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Flomax: If you take this drug once, whether male or female, you will loose your eye health in terms of cataract surgery. Once is all it takes. One pill is all it takes. Don't take it.

  • DavidApril 10, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    In 1993 I suddenly lost 90% of the vision in my right eye. My condition was diagnosed as Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropath (AION). For years I've had urinary difficulty due to an enlarged prostate. In 2002 my Dr prescribed Flowmax for my urinary problem. Less than two weeks after starting Flowmax, I had an ischemic attack to my left eye. I assumed I was going blind because of the rapid loss o[Show More]In 1993 I suddenly lost 90% of the vision in my right eye. My condition was diagnosed as Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropath (AION). For years I've had urinary difficulty due to an enlarged prostate. In 2002 my Dr prescribed Flowmax for my urinary problem. Less than two weeks after starting Flowmax, I had an ischemic attack to my left eye. I assumed I was going blind because of the rapid loss of vision following the attack to my right eye. My vision in my left eye has steadily grown worse, but nothing like it was in the first two or three weeks. After the attack to my left Ieye I went on line to learn more about more about AION. I was shocked to see that men with AION should avoid Flomax because it could result in nocturnal hypo-tension, resulting in decreased blood flow to the optic nerve. In 2009 I had cataract surgery on my left eye. I had a noticeable improvement to my vision, followed by reduced vision over a period of about a month. Over the past year or so my vision sems to have stabilized. I have less than 5% vision in my right eye and ~ 30% in my left eye.

  • DavidApril 10, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    In 1993 I suddenly lost 90% of the vision in my right eye. My condition was diagnosed as Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropath (AION). For years I've had urinary difficulty due to an enlarged prostate. In 2002 my Dr prescribed Flowmax for my urinary problem. Less than two weeks after starting Flowmax, I had an ischemic attack to my left eye. I assumed I was going blind because of the rapid loss o[Show More]In 1993 I suddenly lost 90% of the vision in my right eye. My condition was diagnosed as Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropath (AION). For years I've had urinary difficulty due to an enlarged prostate. In 2002 my Dr prescribed Flowmax for my urinary problem. Less than two weeks after starting Flowmax, I had an ischemic attack to my left eye. I assumed I was going blind because of the rapid loss of vision following the attack to my right eye. My vision in my left eye has steadily grown worse, but nothing like it was in the first two or three weeks. After the attack to my left Ieye I went on line to learn more about more about AION. I was shocked to see that men with AION should avoid Flomax because it could result in nocturnal hypo-tension, resulting in decreased blood flow to the optic nerve.

  • CliffordApril 2, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    after taking flomax, my legs and feet have been swollen to the proportion that I had to seek emergency medical treatment. After seeing many specialist (Cardiac, Kidney, Legs), they still do not have an answer. No one to date has told me this is directly related to the Flomax, however, none of these symptoms were present before taking this medication. Is there anyone else having these problems. Ple[Show More]after taking flomax, my legs and feet have been swollen to the proportion that I had to seek emergency medical treatment. After seeing many specialist (Cardiac, Kidney, Legs), they still do not have an answer. No one to date has told me this is directly related to the Flomax, however, none of these symptoms were present before taking this medication. Is there anyone else having these problems. Please help.

  • AndreMarch 8, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Took Flowmax for a month. My mouuth and tongue felt raw and very sensative.Fruits burned my mouth and my stomach. After terminating use 3 months ago fruits and acids still burn my mouth and stomach.

  • RogerJuly 29, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    I have been taking Flomax For over 11 years. I had a cataract / lens implant operation on Sept 16,2003 Sept 17 I had the first of many post op visits, 4 to be exact, before my retina detached and Infection had set in. Another Dr within the same practice reattached the retina.The 2nd Dr said there was extensive repair work that he had to do. 5 more post op visits were made between Oct 1 and Oct[Show More]I have been taking Flomax For over 11 years. I had a cataract / lens implant operation on Sept 16,2003 Sept 17 I had the first of many post op visits, 4 to be exact, before my retina detached and Infection had set in. Another Dr within the same practice reattached the retina.The 2nd Dr said there was extensive repair work that he had to do. 5 more post op visits were made between Oct 1 and Oct 30, 2003. On Oct 28 the retina detached again. I finally went to a "retina' specialist and he pasted what was left of the retina back to the eye. I have 15% of my original vision left after the original cataract operation . These operations were done Michigan.

  • PeterJuly 9, 2009 at 4:47 am

    Had taken Flomax a good while back but had stopped months ago. Advised the eye surgeon of the Flomax. What should have been a simple 20-30 minute cataract surgery on my right eye wound up being almost 2 hours due to the Iris being floppy. Now it's almost 3 weeks after surgery, and vision results are still in question.

  • kerriJune 13, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    I am a female taking Flomax for a neurogenic bladder due to spinal-cord injury. Am I at risk for this flpooy iris syndrome?? Why would my female physician recommend this drug when the black box warns "not to be taken by women". If something goes wrong will I be blamed? My periods stopped abruptly and never returned when I began this drug. The doctors chalked it up to age, although I had no symptom[Show More]I am a female taking Flomax for a neurogenic bladder due to spinal-cord injury. Am I at risk for this flpooy iris syndrome?? Why would my female physician recommend this drug when the black box warns "not to be taken by women". If something goes wrong will I be blamed? My periods stopped abruptly and never returned when I began this drug. The doctors chalked it up to age, although I had no symptoms of menopause prior.

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