Tadalafil (
Cialis®) is a drug used for treating problems with obtaining or maintaining an erection. It is available by prescription.
Tadalafil has been licensed to treat
erectile dysfunction (
ED). Erectile dysfunction, also known as
impotence, can be defined as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Essentially, erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
The drug works by blocking a chemical that reverses an erection by causing blood to flow out of the penis. More blood in the penis means an improved erection.
Tadalafil is made by Eli Lilly and Company.
What Are the Effects of Tadalafil?
The effects of this drug can include:
- Having a harder erection during sexual activity
- Achieving and maintaining an erection during sexual activity
- Having increased satisfaction and enjoyment of intercourse
- Experiencing greater frequency of orgasms.
In previous clinical studies, up to 78 percent of men reported that tadalafil allowed them to have successful intercourse. Tadalafil was also shown to be effective in men with various medical conditions and health problems.
How Soon Does It Start Working?
Many men wonder how long it takes for tadalafil to start working. In clinical studies, it began to work in as little as 30 minutes. For most people, though, it begins working within an hour. It can work up to 36 hours after you take your dose.
When and How Do I Take Tadalafil?
Here are some general considerations regarding when and how to take it:
- Tadalafil comes in tablet form. It is taken as needed, usually one hour before sexual activity. However, it is not recommended that you take it more than once in a day.
- It is recommended that you take your dose with a glass of water. You may take tadalafil with or without food.
- For tadalafil to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It won't work if you stop taking it.
(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of tadalafil. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
There are possible side effects with any medicine, including tadalafil. However, not everyone who takes tadalafil will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When people do develop side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
The most common side effects of tadalafil include:
- Headache -- up to 15 percent of people
- Indigestion, known as dyspepsia -- up to 10 percent of people
- Back pain -- up to 6 percent of people
- Facial flushing -- up to 3 percent of people
- Nasal congestion -- up to 3 percent of people
- Muscle pain (known as myalgia) -- up to 4 percent of people
- Pain in the arms or legs -- up to 3 percent of people.
There have also been rare cases of a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in some people taking tadalafil. This condition can lead to sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience any loss of vision while taking tadalafil, contact your healthcare provider immediately
(see Cialis and Blindness).
The dosage of tadalafil your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As always, don't adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Potential Drug Interactions
There are a number of medicines that tadalafil can potentially interact with.
What Should I Tell My Doctor Before Taking Tadalafil?
Prior to taking this medication, you should tell your doctor if you have:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Heart disease, such as angina, congestive heart failure, or irregular heartbeats
- Stomach ulcers
- Liver disease or liver failure
- A history of a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening arrhythmia within the past six months
- Retinitis pigmentosa, which is a rare eye problem
- A history of severe vision loss, including a condition called NAION
- Other bleeding problems
- Leukemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Multiple myeloma
- A history of priapism, which is a painful erection lasting longer than six hours
- Any condition that causes a penis deformation, such as angulation, Peyronie's disease, or cavernosal fibrosis
- Any allergies.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about any medications you currently take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
You should not take this drug if:
- You are allergic to tadalafil or any component of tadalafil or Cialis. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist has a list of the inactive ingredients.
- You are taking a nitrate (these drugs are most commonly used to treat angina).
There have been a limited number of cases in which people overdosed on tadalafil. In these cases, side effects were similar to those seen at lower doses. If you overdose on tadalafil, seek medical attention immediately.
Tadalafil should be stored at room temperature and out of the reach of children.
Tadalafil comes in several strengths, including:
- Tadalafil 5 mg
- Tadalafil 10 mg
- Tadalafil 20 mg.
Is There a Generic Version of Tadalafil?
There is currently no generic version of tadalafil.
