Tamsulosin and hyperglycaemia in patients with diabetes.

three patients developed hyperglycaemia during tamsulosin use. all patients had diabetes and recovered after withdrawal. a pharmacological mechanism for this adverse drug reaction is suggested: stimulation of the α1-receptor is one of the insulin-independent pathways for glucose uptake, hence inhibition might increase plasma glucose concentrations. Physicians should be aware of hyperglycaemia as possible adverse drug reaction in patients with diabetes using tamsulosin.