Cialis® (tadalafil) is a medication that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Similar to drugs like Viagra® (sildenafil) and Levitra® (vardenafil), Cialis makes it easier to get and maintain an erection when you feel sexually aroused.
Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, was developed in the early 2000s and approved by the FDA as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in 2003, making it slightly newer than medications like Viagra.Â
Cialis is a prescription medication that’s used to treat erectile dysfunction. Like Viagra and other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, it belongs to a class of medications referred to as PDE5 inhibitors.
PDE5 inhibitors work by inhibiting the action of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 — an enzyme that’s responsible for regulating blood flow into and out of the soft erectile tissue of the penis.
Cialis is used to treat a handful of conditions. Aside from being known as a popular ED treatment, Cialis is also widely known for its long duration of action. A single Cialis tablet can last for as long as 36 hours, making it much longer lasting than any other ED medications.Â
Healthy erection vs erectile dysfunction is all about blood flow. When you feel sexually aroused, blood flows to your corpora cavernosa — the soft, sponge-like tissue of your penis — causing it to become firm and enlarged.Â
By inhibiting the effects of the PDE5 enzyme, Cialis helps blood to flow into the erectile tissue of your penis, making it easier for you to get and stay hard.Â
If this might apply to you, learn about getting Cialis online from us.
Widely known as prostate enlargement, BPH is a condition that causes growth of the prostate gland. It’s common in older men and can cause irritating symptoms, such as difficulty urinating and urinary tract infection.
Cialis, typically in a reduced dosage, once-per-day version, is approved by the FDA as a treatment for BPH.
PAH is a rare lung disorder that causes high blood pressure in the lungs without any clear reason.
Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, is approved as a treatment for people with PAH to improve exercise and prevent the disorder from worsening. When used for PAH, this medication may be sold under the brand name Adcirca®.
Cialis is available in several different dosages. When Cialis is prescribed for use as needed, it comes in three dosages:
Cialis is also available as a daily-use medication. When prescribed for daily use, Cialis comes in two dosages — 5mg or 2.5mg per tablet.
There’s no ideal dosage of Cialis for everyone. Your healthcare provider may adjust your Cialis dosage based on your overall health, the severity of your ED, the frequency and severity of any side effects you experience and a range of other factors.
If you’re prescribed Cialis for daily use, it’s not unreasonable to assume you might miss a dose every once in a while.Â
If this happens and you do forget to take your daily Cialis dose, take it as soon as you remember.Â
However, if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip your missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.Â
When used as prescribed, Cialis is a safe, effective medication for most people. However, like other medications, it can cause side effects. Most side effects of Cialis are mild and temporary, although it may also cause several uncommon, more severe side effects.
The side effects of Cialis are similar to those of other erectile dysfunction medications, such as Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Stendra® (avanafil).Â
Note that the statistics provided above are for Cialis used as needed at a dosage of either 5mg, 10mg or 20mg. When taken daily at a lower dosage, many of the common side effects of Cialis occur less frequently.
Like other PDE5 inhibitors, Cialis may cause a mild drop in your blood pressure levels if used with other common medications. It is important to inform your healthcare provider of all the medications and supplements you take regularly. .
Although uncommon, Cialis may cause serious side effects. Contact your healthcare provider or seek medical assistance immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Like other ED medications, there have been rare reports of priapism — painful erections that can last for several hours — in men who use Cialis. Priapism is a highly uncommon side effect that requires urgent medical attention.
If, after using Cialis, you develop a persistent and/or painful erection that lasts for four hours or longer, seek emergency medical assistance.
To avoid interactions, make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medications that you currently use, both over-the-counter and prescription, before discussing Cialis. Read on for an overview of drug and food interactions.
Cialis may interact with other medications. While some drug interactions that involve Cialis are mild, others can cause serious, potentially life-threatening side effects.Â
Cialis and generic tadalafil can interact with several medications used to treat heart conditions and hypertension (high blood pressure). In particular, Cialis can interact with nitrates and alpha blockers used to lower blood pressure.
Cialis should not be used with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin and other nitrates used to manage hypertension. When used together, these medications may cause a sudden, significant drop in blood pressure that could lead to fainting, heart attack or stroke.
If you’re prescribed an alpha blocker or other antihypertensive medication, it’s essential that you inform your healthcare provider before using Cialis.
Some other medications may affect your body’s absorption of Cialis, resulting in higher or lower levels of exposure to the medication. Specifically, medications that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, such as ketoconazole (an antifungal medication) and ritonavir (an antiretroviral medication used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS), may increase Cialis exposure and effectiveness.
Medications that induce the CYP3A4 enzyme, such as rifampicin, may reduce Cialis exposure and effectiveness.
Food and Cialis can be taken together, unlike other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra and Levitra. If you are still concerned about the interaction with fatty food delaying the onset of the drug, you can of course avoid such foods too. One fact remains similar to other PDE5s: Grapefruit juice may affect the body’s metabolism of Cialis and cause an increased risk of side effects. Ask your provider for more information if this is a concern.
Cialis is one of the most popular and clinically effective FDA-approved ED treatments on the market. It belongs to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors.
Its main ingredient, tadalafil, is also approved by the FDA to treat BPH and PAH.
While Cialis is considered safe for most people, there are, like most prescription medications, some potential side effects that might not make it the right choice for everyone — especially if you take nitrates, alpha blockers and other medications used to treat high blood pressure.
Cialis is typically used by people who are looking for prolonged periods of sexual activeness, because it can work for as long as 36 hours — much longer than other ED medications like Viagra or Levitra, which are designed for use as-needed.
If you're ready to move forward with Cialis, see how we offer Cialis online to learn if Cialis is right for you. If you want to learn about what else is out there, see our guide to ED treatment options.
And of course, always talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about using Cialis safety, or whether or not you should consider another treatment for the ED symptoms you're experiencing.Â
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.