Generic Flomax

At this time, Flomax is available as both as a brand-name drug and a generic. The generic version has been given an AB rating by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means it is considered equivalent to brand-name Flomax.  

Generic for Flomax: An Overview

Flomax® (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is a prescription medication that has been licensed as a treatment for an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. Flomax is part of a class of drugs known as alpha blockers.
 
Brand-name Flomax is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic Flomax is also available.
 

Strengths of Generic Flomax

Like brand-name Flomax, the generic version comes in one strength -- tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules.
 

Who Makes Generic Flomax?

Generic Flomax is made by various manufacturers, such as:
 
  • Actavis
  • Global Pharmaceuticals
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals
  • Sandoz
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • UDL Laboratories.
    •  

Is Generic Tamsulosin as Good as Flomax?

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. Generic tamsulosin capsules have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Flomax.
 
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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