What is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is a drug that soothes muscles of the blood vessels and augments blood flow to specific areas of the body. This medicine under the label of Cialis is recommended to cure erectile dysfunction (impotence) and signs of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). Another brand of tadalafil goes by the name of Adcirca, used to heal pulmonary arterial hypertension and enhance exercise capacity in both men and women.
What are the common conditions in which Tadalafil prescribed?
Different brands of this medicine like Cialis and Adcirca are used to treat the following conditions:
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate).
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Enhance exercise capacity in men and women
How should I take Tadalafil?
This drug is generally taken only once in a day. Strictly follow the instructions on the prescription label and take it in the recommended amounts and for advised duration only. The medication can be used along with or without food. Do not crush, chew or crack Cialis tablet, rather swallow it whole. For erectile dysfunction, have the medicine just before sexual activity, however not more than once in a day. It can be taken up to 36 hours before sexual activity.
This tablet can help attain an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. Although, it will not happen only by administering a pill. Strictly adhere to your doctor’s guidelines. Do not take Cialis for erectile dysfunction if you are taking Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
When you should not take Tadalafil?
Avoid the drug in case you also take nitrate medication for angina (chest pain), heart problems, consisting nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and recreational drugs like “poppers”. This is because it can trigger abrupt and serious lowering of blood pressure. There are drugs which can inflict undesirable or malicious reactions when used in tandem with this medicine. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you take, particularly riociguat (Adempas). Communicate to your clinician or get urgent medical assistance in case your erection is aching or endures for more than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can debilitate the penis. Get medical attention immediately if you experience nausea, chest pain, or dizziness during copulation. Discontinue using the drug and seek emergency medical care if you get abrupt vision loss. Avoid the medicine if you are hypersensitive to it.
Do not take this prescription if you also take the following:
- riociguat (to cure pulmonary arterial hypertension); or
- a nitrate medicine (for chest pain or heart problems) such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite “poppers”.
Some tadalafil can stay in your bloodstream for 2 or more days after every dose you have (even more time if you have liver or kidney disease). Do not use nitrate during this period.
To ensure the safety of this drug on you, apprize your doctor if you have ever faced:
- heart disease or heart rhythm issues;
- a heart attack or stroke;
- angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure;
- pulmonary hypertension (if you are taking tadalafil for this);
- a condition called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (contraction of the veins that commune blood from the lungs to the heart);
- liver or kidney ailments (or whether you are on dialysis);
- vision loss, or retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
- a bleeding disorder;
- a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia;
- a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease), or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours;
- a stomach ulcer; or
- health problems that make sexual activity insecure.
Sudden vision loss is an occurrence in an insignificant number of people taking this medicine (Viagra or related drugs). Majority of these afflicted population already had several eye problems and risk factors like for blood vessel disorders (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, smoking, or being over 50 years old).
Although, it is still undiscovered if the medicine was the cause of vision loss. Some cases of tadalafil have also reported hearing loss. If you experience any of the above signs, loss in hearing or ringing in ears urgently visit your doctor. Neither start nor stop using the drug while you are pregnant except with doctor’s consultation. Suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) during pregnancy period may trigger heart failure, stroke, or other medical difficulties in mother as well as the foetus. Inform your doctor directly if you get pregnant. It can be dangerous to nurse the baby while taking this medicine. Enquire to your doctor about related risks. Cialis tablet is not meant to be used by women. Nor this drug is approved to be used by those younger than 18 years of age.
What are the possible side effects of Tadalafil?
If you experience symptoms of allergic response to the medication such as hives, shallow breath, inflammation in your face or throat, seek immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to tadalafil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop and get medical help at once if you have nausea, chest pain, or dizziness during sex. You could be having a life-threatening side effect.
Stop using tadalafil and call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- an erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis);
- vision changes or sudden vision loss;
- ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss; or
- heart attack symptoms – chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.
Common tadalafil side effects may include:
- headache;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- nausea, upset stomach;
- stuffy nose; or
- muscle pain, back pain, pain in your arms, legs, or back.
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What to do if I miss the dose?
If the medicine is taken whenever needed, you will possibly be on a dosing plan. However, if you administer the medicine daily and miss a dosage, then have it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost the time of your next dose, skip the missed one. Avoid taking two doses at a time to compensate for the missed dosage.
Common Drug Interaction with Tadalafil
Apprize your medic regarding all your recent medicines and also any medicine you started or stopped using, particularly:
- drugs to cure erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension;
- an antibiotic or antifungal medications;
- antiviral medicine to cure hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS;
- drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder; or
- seizure medications
Other medications may interact with this medicine, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is not the complete list of drug interactions.
Bottom Line
Tadalafil is a drug recommended treating erectile dysfunction (impotence) and signs of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). Being a strict prescriptive medicine, it should not be taken without doctor’s consultation. Strictly follow all the instructions while using this drug else serious consequences may ensue.
Further Reading:
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