What are the effects of tamsulosin for overactive bladder in men with different symptoms?

This study aimed to investigate the effects of tamsulosin (Flomax) in men with overactive bladder (OAB). This study suggested that tamsulosin improved the symptoms of OAB.

OAB is characterized by symptoms such as incontinence (urine leakage), having a strong urge to urinate, and being woken up at night due to the need to urinate (nocturia). Some of these symptoms can also be caused by BPH. BPH is an enlarged prostate gland. OAB and BPH are also often associated. Treatment can vary whether OAB is diagnosed alone or in combination with BPH.

Tamsulosin is a commonly used treatment for BPH. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and the bladder. While for OAB, the most common treatments include antimuscarinics or beta-2 agonists. The effectiveness of tamsulosin in patients with OAB symptoms is still not clear.

116 men with OAB were included in this study. Participants were treated with tamsulosin 0.4 mg for 4 weeks. Participants completed bladder diaries throughout the study. Outcomes assessed included urinary frequency in 24 hour periods, urinary urgency, nocturia (urination at night), and incontinence.

Patients reported that the frequency of daily urination decreased from an average of 11.3 before treatment to 9.9 voids following treatment with tamsulosin. The number of episodes of nocturia per night decreased from 2.1 before treatment to 1.8 following treatment. Urinary urgency ratings also decreased following treatment with tamsulosin. Tamsulosin also appeared to have a greater effect in those that had more severe voiding symptoms before treatment.

This study suggested that tamsulosin improved the symptoms of OAB including urination frequency, nocturia, and urinary urgency. Tamsulosin also appeared to be more effective in those with more severe OAB symptoms.

This study did not include a placebo group. Therefore, the true effects of tamsulosin may not be evident from this study. Also, patients were not separated into those with OAB only or OAB and BPH. Therefore, it is not possible to know if tamsulosin is similarly effective in patients with OAB alone.