OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

FloMax and Cannabis Use: An Inquiry

3/28/2025, 12:10:24 AMMale25-34

At the age of 27, weighing 172 pounds and standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, I underwent a hernia repair last December. Yesterday, I experienced severe discomfort on my left side, close to the pelvic region, which led me to seek help at the emergency room. The medical team diagnosed me with renal colic. Currently, I’m in the process of trying to pass kidney stones. The doctors have prescribed me FloMax at a dosage of 0.4 mg, along with ibuprofen and anti-nausea medication. I’m curious whether it’s safe to continue using cannabis while taking FloMax. Any insights would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

MiscarriageGynecologyReproductive Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

3/28/2025, 12:10:39 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to have questions about the safety of using cannabis while taking prescribed medications like FloMax (tamsulosin). Here are the key points regarding your situation:

  1. FloMax and Cannabis Interaction: Current evidence suggests that there is no direct interaction between FloMax and cannabis. However, both substances can affect the body in different ways. FloMax primarily helps with urinary flow, while cannabis can have varying effects on blood pressure and sedation.

  2. Individual Reactions: Everyone can react differently to cannabis, especially when combined with medications. Some individuals may experience increased drowsiness or changes in heart rate, which could amplify the effects of certain medications or lead to discomfort.

  3. Kidney Stones and Cannabis: During your recovery from renal colic and while passing kidney stones, it’s important to listen to your body. Cannabis may help manage pain for some, but for others, it can cause dehydration or discomfort.

Next Steps:

  1. Monitor Your Body's Reactions: If you decide to use cannabis, start with a low amount and pay attention to how your body responds, especially combined with FloMax.

  2. Stay Hydrated: Ensure you’re drinking plenty of water, as hydration is crucial when passing kidney stones.

  3. Follow Your Prescribed Treatment Plan: Continue taking FloMax and the other medications as directed by your doctor.

  4. Avoid Excessive Use: If you notice increased side effects like dizziness or fatigue after using cannabis, consider reducing the amount or stopping it altogether.

  5. Keep Open Communication: If you're concerned about cannabis use with your prescribed medications, it's a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider who knows your medical history and current situation.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you’re making informed choices while managing your health. If you need more specific advice, feel free to reach out!

Related Questions

Privacy in Health Records for Alberta Teens: Navigating Birth Control Access

I am a 15-year-old girl, seeking guidance on how to obtain birth control without involving my parents. I created this new account for privacy reasons since my regular profile includes my personal details. I have some questions regarding the process of acquiring the pill in Alberta. I apologize if I am posting in the wrong forum, but it appears that r/Alberta restricts new users from posting. For a while, I've been considering starting birth control. Thankfully, I haven’t taken the step yet, but being 15 years old, I want to ensure I handle this correctly. My plan was to visit a local clinic after school to obtain a prescription and then fill it at a nearby pharmacy. Now, I’m anxious that if I receive this prescription, it will appear in my Alberta health account, potentially alerting my parents since they could see it just like my other prescriptions. Does anyone have suggestions on how I might discreetly approach this? Alternatively, I'm considering an IUD since it could provide a longer-term solution if I can find a way to get it inserted. Is it possible to order it online or perhaps ask a friend to help me, even if it's not entirely secure? I don’t mean to delve into a political discussion here, but it seems unfair that confidentiality can be compromised so easily!

BreastfeedingObstetricsGynecology
Male25-34
14 minutes ago

Understanding Bilateral Adrenalectomy

Hello! I’m a 30-year-old female who has recently been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease after a thorough evaluation. My diagnosis followed a series of tests, including morning cortisol levels, ACTH testing, late-night saliva tests, a 24-hour urine analysis, IPSS, and a desmopressin stimulation assessment, all conducted by my endocrinologist. Despite undergoing two surgeries on my pituitary gland, my cortisol levels continue to be elevated. Unfortunately, due to other underlying health conditions, I cannot take medication, which leaves me with the option of a bilateral adrenalectomy. I have an appointment with a surgeon coming up soon. What should I anticipate regarding the procedure? Are there specific questions I should pose to my surgeon or ways to prepare myself? I am feeling quite anxious about this surgery, but I realize that I cannot continue to endure this situation. I feel exhausted, and Cushing's disease has severely impacted my overall well-being. I appreciate any insights you may offer.

ObstetricsGynecologyReproductive Medicine
Male25-34
54 minutes ago

Examining the Safe Use of Narcan in Healthy Individuals

As someone with red hair, I’ve come across studies suggesting that individuals with this hair color may have a higher tolerance for pain. I recently stumbled upon research discussing how an eccentric scientist administered naltrexone to some red mice, resulting in a reduction of their pain threshold to what is considered typical. This seemed to correlate with a gene that influences the body's opioid receptors. I'm curious about trying Narcan to determine if it has any noticeable effects—I'm not concerned about the placebo effect—but I'm uncertain if it would have adverse effects on me since I don’t have any opioid dependency. To give you an overview of my health profile: I’m a 27-year-old male, weigh 160 pounds, stand 6 feet tall, and I’m currently not on any medication nor do I have any history of medical issues. I appreciate any insights!

InfertilityGynecologyReproductive Medicine
Male25-34
7 hours ago

Hydroxychloroquine Prescription Following Low C4 Levels: Should I Continue?

Demographic Information: 19 years old, Assigned Female at Birth. Medical History: Diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), reactive gastropathy of unknown origin, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Some of my healthcare professionals suspect mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), though I have not been formally diagnosed. Current Medications: I am currently taking 250 mg of clomipramine, 15 mg of memantine, 1 mg of clonazepam, 30 mg of loratadine, 40 mg of famotidine, 30 mg of propranolol, 15 mg of midodrine, 6 mg of naltrexone, and 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine. Additionally, I use iron and vitamin C supplements to address low ferritin levels and take 3 mg of melatonin as needed for sleep. Several months back, I consulted a rheumatologist upon recommendation due to unexplained rashes, joint swelling, and discomfort that couldn't be attributed to my current conditions (I initially believed they were linked to ME/CFS, but my ME specialist had doubts). Despite blood work showing no indicators of autoimmune disorders—such as normal levels for ESR, CRP, ANA, and RF—I was still referred to rheumatology. The rheumatologist conducted further extensive blood testing and subsequently prescribed hydroxychloroquine. He suggested I may have undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) but did not formally diagnose me. While I value his expertise, I want to ensure that I am only taking necessary medications. My apprehension stems from the fact that, among 18 blood tests performed, complement C4 was the only abnormality, which was recorded as slightly low. The battery of tests included assessments such as creatine kinase, a myomarker panel, HLA association panel (including celiac screening), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, ANA, anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-RNP antibodies, anti-Scl70 antibodies, anti-centromere antibodies, anti-Sm antibodies, anti-Ro antibodies, anti-La antibodies, and complement C3, alongside C4. I have been on hydroxychloroquine for three months and have noticed some improvements: although my fatigue persists, the rashes on my hands and wrists appear less severe, my fingers look slimmer, and joint pain has diminished. This does lend some reassurance about continuing the medication; however, I am concerned that these benefits could be attributed to either a placebo effect or the low-dose naltrexone rather than the hydroxychloroquine itself. My primary worry is the potential adverse effects of using hydroxychloroquine if it is not warranted for my condition. Are there specific signs I should monitor or indications suggesting that this medication might not be necessary? Should I alleviate my concerns, or is there reason to be cautious? Any insights would be immensely helpful, thank you!

InfertilityGynecologyReproductive Medicine
Male25-34
10 hours ago

Seeking Guidance on Hormonal Treatment as a Trans Man

I am a 21-year-old transgender man (FTM). About a year ago, I began receiving testosterone injections using a product called Testoviron, administered at a dosage of 125mg biweekly. During my most recent appointment with my endocrinologist, we chose to switch to an alternative injection called Nebido, which is a 250mg dose given every 12 weeks. My concern is whether extending the interval between these injections will slow my overall progress. Additionally, I've heard it may be necessary to have a second shot six weeks after the initial one to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. After reading some online, I noticed that this advice is common; however, I feel uncertain as my endocrinologist appears to have limited experience working with transgender patients. This has left me anxious about the potential effects of the hormonal therapy. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on this matter.

InfertilityGynecologyReproductive Medicine
Male25-34
12 hours ago