Tadalafil
Description
Tadalafil is a medicine used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (a condition that occurs when a man has difficulty in getting and/or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse). It is also used to treat urinary symptoms caused due to an enlargement of the prostate gland (a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder that secretes fluid to nourish and transport the sperm) in older men.
Tadalafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, increasing the flow of blood to the penis. This medicine also relaxes the muscles present in the prostate gland and bladder thereby, improving the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland. Tadalafil is available on prescription as tablets and disintegrating strips.
Tadalafil may cause side effects such as headache, back pain, muscle aches, pain in the arms and legs, facial flushing (redness of the skin of the face), nasal congestion, and indigestion. Most of these side effects are temporary and may subside with time. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. The dose and duration of treatment will be determined by your doctor based on your clinical condition. For erectile dysfunction, Tadalafil should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. This medicine will help you get/maintain an erection only if you are sexually stimulated. Avoid taking more than the recommended dose.
Tadalafil is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have liver, heart, or kidney problems, or if you are taking any other medications.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tadalafil
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Flushing
- Stuffy nose
- Decrease/loss of vision
- Decrease/loss of hearing
- Prolonged and painful erection
- Dizziness
- Pain in the arms, legs and the back
- Indigestion
- Muscle pain
Uses of Tadalafil
What is it prescribed for?
- Erectile Dysfuntion
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Tadalafil can be observed within 30 to 60 minutes of intake.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Tadalafil may last up to 36 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Tadalafil as it may lower your blood pressure. You may experience symptoms like headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, changes in heart rate, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Tadalafil.
- Usage in pregnancy?Tadalafil is not intended for use in pregnant women.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Tadalafil is not intended for use in breastfeeding women.
Allergy
Avoid taking Tadalafil if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Organic nitrates
Tadalafil is not recommended for use if you are taking other medicines containing nitrates (medicines used for chest pain or heart problems). Taking Tadalafil with a nitrate medication might result in a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure.
Riociguat
Tadalafil is not recommended for use if you are taking Riociguat (a medicine used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs). Concomitant use of these medicines may significantly lower your blood pressure.
Cardiovascular Disease
Tadalafil should be avoided if you have preexisting heart problems and sexual activity is not recommended due to the potential risk. This medicine is not recommended for use if you recently had a heart attack (a condition that occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked) within the last 90 days or a stroke (a condition that occurs due to decreased oxygen supply to the brain) within the last 6 months as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Tadalafil is not intended for use in pregnant women.
Breast-feeding
Tadalafil is not intended for use in breastfeeding women.
General warnings
Hypotension
Hypotension is a condition in which blood pressure is lower than usual. Tadalafil may cause a mild and short-lasting decrease in blood pressure. Hence, use this medicine with caution if you have low blood pressure.
Loss of hearing
Tadalafil may cause a decrease in hearing capabilities along with a buzzing or a ringing sound in the ears. Stop the use of this medicine if you experience a sudden decrease or loss of hearing and consult your doctor.
Driving vehicles or operating machines
Tadalafil may cause dizziness in some cases. Hence, avoid performing activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines until you know how this medicine will affect you.
Use in children
Tadalafil is not intended for use in children less than 18 years of age.
Counselling
The underlying cause of erectile dysfunction may be physical, psychological, or both. It is important to determine the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction to devise an appropriate plan of treatment. In cases of psychological causes alone or psychological (including lifestyle) and physical causes, it is important to undergo psychological counselling to achieve the best possible effect.
Missed Dose
Tadalafil is used as and when required so the chances of missing a dose are less likely.
If you are on a scheduled dosage regimen, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Tadalafil. Seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid consumption of alcohol during treatment with Tadalafil as it may lower your blood pressure. You may experience symptoms like headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, changes in heart rate, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Ketoconazole
Phenytoin
Alfuzosin
Disease interactions
Kidney Disease
Tadalafil is filtered by the kidneys and removed from the body through urine. This medicine should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as it may lead to the accumulation of Tadalafil in the body. This may cause further kidney damage. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your kidney functions and recommend dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
Seizure disorders
A seizure is a condition in which there is uncontrolled body movement due to an electrical disturbance in the brain. Tadalafil should be used with caution if you have seizures as this medicine may trigger seizure attacks.
Priapism
Priapism is a condition that causes a painful erection lasting for more than 6 hours. If left untreated, it may result in tissue damage in the penis as well as permanent loss of sexual potency. Hence, Tadalafil should be used with caution as this medicine may cause priapism in some cases. If you have an erection that persists for more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical assistance.
Eye problems
Tadalafil should be avoided if you have eye conditions affecting the retina (a thin layer of tissue that covers the back of the eyeball) where colour discrimination is impaired as it may worsen your condition. This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a history of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (an eye condition that causes a decrease in the blood flow to the nerves in the eyes and may lead to loss of vision). Consult your doctor immediately if you experience a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes.
Liver Disease
Tadalafil is broken down in your liver. Hence, Tadalafil should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. This medicine should be avoided if you have severe liver problems.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tadalafil can be taken with or without food as instructed by your doctor. Avoid taking more or less than the recommended dose.
For erectile dysfunction, take this medicine at least 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. It is important to note that this medicine will not work without sexual stimulation. This medicine does not cure erectile dysfunction.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Tadalafil works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the penis and increasing the blood flow. This helps the penis to harden and leads to an erection.
Tadalafil also relaxes the muscles present in the prostate gland and bladder. Thus, it helps to improve the symptoms of BPH such as increased urinary frequency, difficulty in urination, slow urine stream, etc.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Tadalafil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Tadalafil 10 mg film-coated tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 October 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Pdr.net. 2021. Cialis (tadalafil) dose, indications, adverse effects, interactions... from PDR.net. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 2 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.