Been a while

[Macan]

Hi All

My Afib had been calm for over two months when I was prescribed Tamsulosin and Finesteride to help with my enlarged prostate. As things were not too bad I started taking just the finesteride which helps shrink the prostate. Few weeks later started on the Tamsulosin…..within two days my Afib was back with a vengeance. Way higher HR than ever had prior. After various searches there was a multitude of evidence that in rare cases, Tamsulosin is known to cause this problem and should be avoided. Ended up with having to call 999 on one occasion with consistent HR around 175bpm. Medics said they had seen many cases where this happened.

Stopped Tamsulosin about three weeks ago but am stlll getting many more episodes than prior with much higher HR.

Has anyone had a similar experience

David

[Desanthony]

It could take the full effects of the tamsulosin up to 2 months to leave your body. so give it time. Hopefully things will even out eventually. Have you told your cardiologist or EP about this? It may be they could up whatever Af medication you are on for a short while.

How are you managing without the tamsulosin? Have you been prescribed a different medication from urology?

[Macan in reply to Desanthony]

Hi Desan

Thanks for the response.I am still waiting for my GP to come up with another option. At moment BHP is under control but alas AF still appears almost every day! Local doctor said to up the bisoprol from current 2.5 to 3.75, am reluctant to to this until meeting with consultant.

Have appointment booked with my cardio in a couple of weeks

[Desanthony in reply to Macan]

All the best with you appointment

[Macan in reply to Desanthony]

Afib seems to be slowing down a little so will be interesting to hear what consultant opinions are!

Thanks for your message

[mav7]

Excellent advice above by Desanthony especially to see your cardiologist/EP.

Glad you posted this. I have taken Finasteride for 10+ years will have to check if any effect on afib.

Finasteride has been an excellent drug for me. Reduced prostate, urination, and PSA levels. Very likely prevented developement of prostate cancer. Few, if any side effects. Be patient, it does take time to take effect where you see results.

[BenHall1 in reply to mav7]

Hi mav7,

I have taken Finasteride for ( dunno really ) at least 8 years and maybe longer. So far so good. No AF for at least 4 years although it maybe longer. Can't really recall my last hit of AF. No side effects. Waiting my last PSA test which I had on 2/2/24. Should be through tomorrow or Monday. No obvious urology issues at all.

[Macan in reply to mav7]

Mac

Thanks for the response.

Yes it was the tamsulosin that was the problem, Finesteride is starting to do the job I think!

I had Greelight Laser op some six years ago and it was great, no tablets at all after. Was warned prostate was likely to grow again however!!

[Alan1947]

I’ve been taking Tamsulosin everyday since my prostate radiotherapy in 2007. I’m not aware of any side effects.

[Macan in reply to Alan1947]

Hi Alan

Good to hear and long may it continue.

[Fastbeat1 in reply to Alan1947]

Same with me. no problem with tamsulosin in fact it seem to help with BP!

[Ppiman]

I take both and have had no problems with them. Tamsulosin is something called an alpha blocking drug if I recall and is very specific to the prostate and bladder but I suspect there are alpha receptors in the heart tissue, too. Certainly, earlier and quite similar drugs - such as one called doxazosin - were much less specific to the prostate and were also used as heart drugs and to reduce blood pressure.

So my guess is that you are especially sensitive to alpha blocking drugs and the tamsulosin has homed in on your heart as well as your prostate and bladder.

I suppose one thing that might be worth trying if prostate symptoms are really troublesome is to let the heart settle - if it will - then to ask your GP if you could try a different drug for the urinary symptoms. When I developed AF, I was changed from doxazosin to one called alfuzosin. It is another alpha blocker (as they all are) but it’s newer and has very little effect on the heart and blood pressure (in that respect, like tamsulosin). If this has no effect on your AF or heart rate, then the finger points to your being especially sensitive to tamsulosin.

The other drug, finasteride, by itself, won’t do much for any urinary symptoms caused by your BPH. Only the alpha blockers do that. Doctors think it’s better to have a smaller prostate, hence giving finasteride.

One final thing worth mentioning. Finasteride reduces PSA significantly and pretty much halves it. This means that your doctor should double any measured PSA levels to get at the “real” level.

Steve

[1969hippy]

I was on tamolusion for a while but stopped because I found made no difference to postate problem. Can't recall if it affected my AF at all.