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There comes a time in every man’s life when prescription medicines become a necessity to protect one’s vitality and health.
While some medications can be taken with little to no interaction, others can lead to some dangerous interactions when not taken appropriately.
This is especially true when it comes to certain prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, such as painkillers and ADHD medications, where addiction cases are rising and overdoses may prove fatal.
One such drug that can unknowingly cause harm to the people that take it is Tadalafil (brand name: Cialis).
Read on to learn more about this drug, what it does, and most importantly, the side effects you should know when taking this drug. We’ll also discuss alternative treatment options for ED.
Side Effects of Tadalafil
A Tadalafil oral tablet can cause a range of serious side effects.
Many sex pills seek to treat the symptoms of sexual dysfunctions like ED, but do not treat the underlying causes of dysfunction. For this reason, it is advised to avoid prescription ED drugs and consult a medical professional for a specialized ED diagnosis and treatment plan.
Should you decide to take this medication, these are some of the most common side effects when taking tadalafil.
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
- Flushing
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Upset stomach
These common side effects are mostly mild and go away within a few days. If they don’t leave your body or start to worsen, talk with a doctor.
While most cases fall under the mild category, there are a few rare instances where more concerning symptoms start to develop.
These could be life-threatening developments, so don’t hesitate to call your local emergency number if you feel that you’re in a medical emergency.
Here are the serious side effects that you may face after ingesting Tadalafil:
- Priapism, or a painful erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
- Vision problems, a loss of vision or trouble seeing the colors blue and green
- Low blood pressure, feeling dizzy, fainting, or experiencing chest pain
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears or a sudden loss of hearing
Drugs have different effects on each person, so it’s better to err on the side of caution and presume the list is non-exhaustive.
If you’re experiencing something concerning after taking Tadalafil, even if it’s not mentioned in the list above, contact a local erectile dysfunction physician to get evaluated immediately.
What is Tadalafil? Commonly Known as Cialis or Adcirca
There are two popular brand-name medications classified as Tadalafil: Cialis and Adcirca.
Tadalafil (Cialis) is an oral tablet that is used to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s a part of a group of medications called phosphodiesterase inhibitors, abbreviated as PDE5.
Another type of this PDE5 inhibitor drug is called Adcirca. This drug is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs. This type of disease is a rare form of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels in the lungs.
One of the key functions of Tadalafil is promoting vasodilation—or blood vessel dilation—and relaxing the smooth muscles around the body. This includes the penis, heart and lungs.
The process of dilation is necessary for the penis to get firm. Tadalafil (Cialis) is FDA-approved and effective in treating ED, as found in clinical trials, so there’s no question about the efficacy of this drug in its primary use.
However, in some rare cases, some pressing side effects may cause some trouble to the person taking it.
Guidelines for Taking Tadalafil
By taking the pill the right way, you ensure that you don’t expose yourself to unnecessary risks that could’ve been avoided.
Here are some tips to consider before taking this PDE5 inhibitor medication:
- For Tadalafil to work, you need to be sexually aroused before having sex.
- For men aged 18 to 64, the once-daily starting dosage is set at 2.5 mg; 10 mg for an as-needed basis. Elderly folk may need lower doses as the body processes slower.
- It’s recommended that you take an ED tablet 30 minutes before you engage in sexual activity. Some doctors may also recommend that you take it once a day.
- It’s recommended that you take your tablet at the same time every day for the best effect.
- If you have a missed dose, take it as soon as possible.
- Never take more than one tablet in under 24 hours.
In addition to the guidelines above, there’s no concern over the types of food you eat with Tadalafil. You’re also free to skip food altogether and just take Tadalfil on its own.
Nonetheless, every person’s case is different. Consult with your doctor for additional health measures when taking this medication to avoid potentially serious side effects.
Tadalafil Drug Interactions and Considerations
Tadalafil may react with the vitamins and medicine that you are taking for other conditions. A Tadalafil drug interaction may chemically alter the way the drug works, causing it to lose its efficacy or even pose new health risks.
If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s important to ensure that the medication you use doesn’t interfere with each other.
Bulleted below are drugs that may negatively react with Tadalafil.
- High blood pressure drugs (Alpha Blockers)
- Angina drugs (Nitrates)
- HIV Drugs (Ritonavir and Lopinavir)
- Antibiotics
- Oral antifungal drugs
- Stomach acid drugs
- Epilepsy drugs
- PAH drugs
- Other ED drugs
If you are being treated with any of the above drugs, discuss with your doctor the next steps to take before taking Tadalafil.
Health Risk Considerations When Taking Tadalafil
People with pre-existing health concerns may be at risk. An allergic reaction may also pose a problem, so be sure to get that evaluated by a doctor.
If you have kidney or liver problems, your body may not be able to expel tadalafil properly. This can be corrected by lowering your dosage or applying other ED treatment techniques.
If you have peptic ulcers or blood flow disorders, tadalafil may also worsen your condition.
For people with heart diseases, tadalafil may strain your heart. If your doctor advised you not to have sex, then it’s best you don’t. Tadalafil won’t be the saving grace for your heart condition and may cause more problems than it resolves.
Alternative Erectile Dysfunction Treatments to Tadalafil
If you want to minimize any risk of side effects caused by Tadalafil, there are other ED treatments to improve your erectile function.
Some of these treatment plans include:
- Shockwave Therapy
- Penile Pumps
- Topical Gels and Cream
- ED Therapy
- RestoreWave
- Penile Implants
- Testosterone Therapy
Contact South Florida’s Top Men’s Clinic Today for a Consultation with an Erectile Dysfunction Specialist
If you want to improve your health and enjoy sexual stimulation, contact our friendly doctors at Preferred Men’s Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale for a consultation.
Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction, Low Testosterone, PE, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.