Tadalafil Side-effects, Uses, Dosage & Interaction

In this blog we have discussed Tadalafil Side-effects, Uses, Dosage & Interaction

Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is also commonly known under the brand name Cialis.

This medicine is also used to treat the symptoms of :

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate. 
• To improve the ability to exercise in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension. 

Tadalafil (Adcirca) works by increasing blood flow into the spongy erectile tissue of the penis that consequently allows it to grow in size and become erect and rigid.

How to use Tadalafil?

Before taking any medication, it’s important to consult with your doctor first. They can advise you on the best medication for your condition, taking into account your medical history and any other medications you may be taking. This is important because there is rare but severe side-effects and drug interaction with other medicines, which can be harmful to your health.

Take Tadalafil orally as directed by your doctor to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). You may take the medication with or without food. 

When to take tadalafil for best results?

It is recommended to take it 30 minutes to 1 hour before sexual activity. But remember, do not take more than once daily.

In some cases, tadalafil is prescribed to be taken once daily regardless of sexual activity timing. You may attempt sexual activity at any time between doses.  If you’re on a regular schedule, take tadalafil at approximately the same time each day, as directed by your doctor.

Daily dose of Tadalafil:

The daily dose is different for erectile dysfunction, benign prostate enlargement and pulmonary hypertension

For erectile dysfunction (ED), the typical dose is 10mg of medication taken once daily. Never take 2 tablets at once.

The usual dose for prostate enlargement is 5mg once a day and for pulmonary hypertension it is 40mg.

Tadalafil tablets for pulmonary hypertension are available in a strength of 20mg. To take this medication, you’ll need to consume two tablets at once, once per day.

But remember, this dose can vary according to the severity and health conditions. So always consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Tadalafil Side-effects:

Do not take this medication without doctor’s prescription especially when you are taking medicine for heart disease. 

Taking Tadalafil with nitrate medicine can suddenly and severely decrease your blood pressure. (ref)

There are many Tadalafil Side-effects like blood pressure changes, stomach ulcer, chest pain, liver or kidney problems.

Two important things to remember if taking Tadalafil

If you are taking Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension, there are two things you should remember to avoid serious complications. These two problems need immediate medical attention, so it’s important to be aware of their symptoms and risks.

1. Priapism

The first thing to remember is that if your erection is painful or lasts longer than four hours, you may have priapism. Priapism is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent damage to the penis. It occurs when blood becomes trapped in the penis and cannot flow out through the penile vessels. Priapism is a rare but serious side effect of Tadalafil and other erectile dysfunction drugs.

How to treat priapism?

If you experience priapism, you should apply ice packs to the penis and perineum, the area between the scrotum and anus. This may help reduce swelling and pain. However, if the priapism is ischemic in nature, meaning the blood flow is blocked, the pain may worsen and the tissue may become damaged. In that case, you should seek immediate medical attention, as priapism can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction and other complications.

To prevent priapism, you should follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use Tadalafil, and avoid taking more than the recommended dose. If you have a history of priapism, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma, you may be at higher risk of developing priapism, and should discuss this with your doctor.

2. Sudden vision loss

The second thing to remember is that if you have sudden vision loss, you should seek immediate medical attention. Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors have been associated with a rare but serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION can cause sudden and permanent vision loss in one or both eyes, and may occur even in people without a history of eye problems.

If you experience sudden vision loss, you should stop taking Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors, and seek emergency medical care. NAION is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent further vision loss. To reduce your risk of NAION, you should inform your doctor if you have a history of eye problems, including NAION, or if you are taking other medications that may interact with Tadalafil.

Tadalafil and Alcohol: can you take tadalafil with alcohol?

If you like a glass of wine or another alcoholic beverages then there shouldn’t be any problem.

But drinking more than that after taking Cialis could hamper your activity. Moderate to heavy drinking can make it harder for you to get an erection. 

Also, Cialis and alcohol both act as vasodilators. Vasodilators are substances that lower your blood pressure by relaxing the walls of your blood vessels, which allow the blood vessels to open wider.

Drinking too much alcohol while you take Cialis may cause a condition called orthostatic hypotension. This can cause a headache, dizziness, and fainting, which can cause fractures or other injuries

Other medications which can interact with Tadalafil:

If you are also taking an alpha blocker medication (such as doxazosin, tamsulosin) to treat an enlarged prostate or high blood pressure, your blood pressure may get too low which can lead to dizziness or fainting.

Some other anti fungal, antibiotic and antiviral medications can also interact with sildenafil. So consult your doctor before taking sildenafil if you are already on other medicines.

Tadalafil contraindications: When to avoid this medicine

• If you have a previous history of allergy by taking this medicine then you should not take it again.
• If you have a history of painful erection then strictly avoid this medicine
• multiple myeloma
• leukemia
• sickle cell anemia
• pigmentary retinopathy
• hearing loss
• significant uncontrolled high blood pressure
• a heart attack
• a sudden worsening of heart related chest pain which is called angina
• narrowing of the aortic heart valve
• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• life-threatening irregular heart rhythm
• chronic heart failure
• a stroke
• low blood pressure
• liver problems
• severe renal impairment
• Peyronie’s disease and many other conditions.

Takeaway

Tadalafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. While it can have potential side-effects such as headaches, indigestion and muscle aches, they can be avoided by taking the medication as directed by a healthcare professional, avoiding certain substances, and seeking medical attention if necessary. 

By disclosing pre-existing medical conditions and medications, individuals can minimize the likelihood of experiencing any negative effects from Tadalafil and can safely and effectively manage their erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension.