Tamsulosin is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The active ingredient in tamsulosin is tamsulosin hydrochloride.

For more information about tamsulosin’s uses, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about tamsulosin:

  • Drug class: alpha-adrenergic blocker or alpha blocker
  • Drug form: 0.4-milligram (mg) oral capsules
  • Brand-name version: Flomax

Read on to learn about tamsulosin 0.4-mg capsules and prices, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of tamsulosin can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of tamsulosin will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers tamsulosin. This means the company and your doctor will discuss tamsulosin in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether tamsulosin requires prior authorization.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and tamsulosin.

How can I figure out the price of tamsulosin tablets?

Tamsulosin only comes in capsule form in the United States. Since, tamsulosin tablets aren’t available for sale in the United States, the price of Tamsulosin tablets cannot be determined.

Tamsulosin capsules cannot be split, chewed, or crushed. If you prefer tablet dosage forms because you have trouble swallowing capsules, talk with your doctor. They can discuss other available medications to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that may come in tablet form. Your doctor can tell you more about the cost of other medications to treat BPH and how they compare with tamsulosin.

What’s the cost of tamsulosin without insurance?

The cost of tamsulosin without insurance depends on your treatment plan. The cost without insurance may also vary based on the pharmacy you choose. If you don’t have insurance, check around with a few pharmacies for the best price.

In addition, your long term cost may be lower if you get a 90 day supply in some cases compared to a 30 day supply. Ask your doctor if this is possible for you based on your treatment plan and how tamsulosin works to treat your condition.

Tamsulosin is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Tamsulosin is available as the brand-name drug Flomax. If your doctor has prescribed tamsulosin and you’re interested in using Flomax instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of tamsulosin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you take tamsulosin long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of tamsulosin. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Tamsulosin may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for tamsulosin, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and tamsulosin, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to tamsulosin. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for tamsulosin.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.