Generic Name: tadalafil (Oral route)
ta-DAL-a-fil
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Adcirca
- Cialis
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Erectile Dysfunction Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor
Uses For Cialis
Tadalafil is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction (also called sexual impotence). Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medicines prevent an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where this enzyme works.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. When a man is sexually stimulated, his body's normal response is to increase blood flow to his penis to produce an erection. By controlling the enzyme, tadalafil helps to maintain an erection after the penis is stroked by increasing blood flow to the penis. Without physical action to the penis, such as that occurring during sexual intercourse, tadalafil will not work to cause an erection.
Tadalafil is also used to treat men who have signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is caused by an enlarged prostate. Men with BPH usually have difficulty urinating, a decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, and a need to get up at night to urinate. Tadalafil will make these symptoms less severe and reduce the chance that prostate surgery will be needed. This medicine is also used to treat erectile dysfunction and signs and symptoms of BPH.
Tadalafil is also used in both men and women to treat the symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This is high blood pressure that occurs in the main artery that carries blood from the right side of the heart (the ventricle) to the lungs. When the smaller blood vessels in the lungs become more resistant to blood flow, the right ventricle must work harder to pump enough blood through the lungs. Tadalafil works on the PDE5 enzyme in the lungs to relax the blood vessels. This will increase the supply of blood to the lungs and reduce the workload of the heart.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. .
Before Using Cialis
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Use of Cialis® tablet is not indicated for use in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Adcirca™ tablet in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of tadalafil in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving tadalafil.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | B | Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Boceprevir
- Erythrityl Tetranitrate
- Isosorbide Dinitrate
- Isosorbide Mononitrate
- Nitroglycerin
- Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate
- Telaprevir
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfuzosin
- Atazanavir
- Bunazosin
- Clarithromycin
- Erythromycin
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Moxisylyte
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentolamine
- Prazosin
- Saquinavir
- Simvastatin
- Tamsulosin
- Telithromycin
- Terazosin
- Trimazosin
- Urapidil
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Doxazosin
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- Silodosin
- Tipranavir
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Grapefruit Juice
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Ethanol
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Abnormal penis, including curved penis and birth defects of the penis—Chance of problems occurring may be increased and this medicine should be used with caution in these patients.
- Age greater than 50 years or
- Coronary artery disease or
- Diabetes or
- Hyperlipidemia (high lipids or fats in the blood) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Low cup to disc ratio (eye condition also called "crowded disc") or
- Smoking—These conditions may increase risk for a serious eye problem called non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION.
- Angina (reoccurring chest pain) or
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), uncontrolled or
- Heart attack (within the last 3 months) or
- Heart failure (within the last 6 months) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Hypotension (low blood pressure), uncontrolled or
- Retinal disorders (eye problem) or
- Retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited eye disorder) or
- Stroke, recent history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Bleeding disorders or
- Stomach ulcers—Chance of problems occurring may be increased; it is not known if the medicine is safe for use in these patients.
- Bone marrow cancer or
- Leukemia (blood related cancer) or
- Multiple myeloma (blood related cancer) or
- Sickle-cell anemia (blood disorder)—Tadalafil should be used with caution in these patients as problems with prolonged erection of the penis may occur.
- Heart blood flow problems—These conditions may cause you to be more sensitive to tadalafil.
- Heart disease, underlying—Chance of low blood pressure occurring is greater; tadalafil should be used carefully in these patients.
- Kidney disease, severe or
- Liver disease—Use with caution. May increase risk of having unwanted effects. Lower starting doses may be used and doses increased as needed and as tolerated.
- NAION (serious eye condition) in one or both eyes, history of—May increase your chance of getting NAION again.
Proper Use of tadalafil
This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain tadalafil. It may not be specific to Cialis. Please read with care.
Use tadalafil exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. If too much is used, the chance of side effects or other problems is increased.
Special patient instructions come with tadalafil. Read the directions carefully before you start using tadalafil and each time you get a refill of your medicine.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Swallow the Cialis® tablet whole. Do not split, break, or crush it.
When using this medicine for erectile dysfunction, the ability to have sexual activity may be improved for up to 36 hours after taking the tablet.
Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (daily use):
- Adults—5 milligrams (mg) as a single dose, no more than once a day, taken at the same time each day.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For treatment of erectile dysfunction (as needed):
- Adults—10 milligrams (mg) as a single dose, no more than once a day, taken 30 minutes before you think sexual activity may occur. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For treatment of erectile dysfunction (daily use):
- Adults—2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken at the same time each day, without regard for the timing of sexual activity. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For treatment of erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (daily use):
- Adults—5 milligrams (mg) once a day, taken at the same time each day, without regard for the timing of sexual activity.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension:
- Adults—40 milligrams (mg) once a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (daily use):
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions While Using Cialis
It is important that you tell all of your doctors that you take tadalafil. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is important that your doctor knows when you last took tadalafil.
If you will be taking this medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension, your doctor will want to check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.
If you take tadalafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension, do not take Cialis® or other PDE5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Revatio® or Viagra®) or vardenafil (Levitra®). Cialis® also contains tadalafil. If you take too much tadalafil or take it together with these medicines, the chance for side effects will be higher.
If you experience a prolonged or painful erection for 4 hours or more, contact your doctor immediately. This condition may require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious and permanent damage to your penis.
This medicine does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV or AIDS). Use protective measures and ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.
It is important to tell your doctor about any heart problems you have now or may have had in the past. This medicine can cause serious side effects in patients with heart problems.
Do not use this medicine if you are also using a nitrate medicine, often used to treat angina (chest pain). Nitrate medicines include nitroglycerin, isosorbide, Imdur®, Nitro-Bid®, Nitrostat®, Nitro-Dur®, Transderm Nitro®, Nitrol® Ointment, and Nitrolingual® Spray. Some illegal ("street") drugs called "poppers" (such as amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, or nitrite) also contain nitrates.
Do not drink excessive amounts of alcohol (e.g., 5 glasses of wine or 5 shots of whiskey) when taking tadalafil. When taken in excess, alcohol can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increase your heart rate, or lower your blood pressure.
If you experience sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, stop using tadalafil and contact your doctor immediately.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing, which may be accompanied by dizziness and ringing in the ears.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may change the amount of this medicine that is absorbed in the body.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Cialis Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- chest tightness or heaviness
- chills
- cold sweats
- confusion
- dizziness
- fainting
- faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- headache
- hearing loss
- nausea
- nervousness
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- pounding in the ears
- shortness of breath
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
- Painful or prolonged erection of the penis
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- blindness
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- cough
- cracks in the skin
- decrease or change in vision
- diarrhea
- difficulty with speaking
- double vision
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- headache, severe and throbbing
- hives or welts
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- inability to speak
- itching
- joint or muscle pain
- loss of heat from the body
- numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
- red irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, swollen skin
- redness of the skin
- redness or soreness of the eyes
- scaly skin
- skin rash
- slow speech
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sudden cardiac death
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- Bloody nose
- body aches or pain
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- congestion
- difficulty with moving
- difficulty with swallowing
- dry mouth
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- excessive eye discharge
- eye pain
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
- fever
- hoarseness
- increased erection
- lack or loss of strength
- loose stools
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle stiffness
- nasal congestion
- neck pain
- pain
- pain in the arms or legs
- pain or burning in the throat
- redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- reduced sensitivity to touch
- runny nose
- sensation of spinning
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- sleeplessness
- spontaneous penile erection
- stomach upset
- swelling of the eyelids
- swelling or puffiness of the eyes or face
- swollen joints
- tearing
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- tenderness in the stomach area
- trouble with sleeping
- unable to sleep
- upper abdominal or stomach pain
- voice changes
- watering of the eyes
- Changes in color vision
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Cialis side effects (in more detail)
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More Cialis resources
- Cialis Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cialis Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Cialis Drug Interactions
- Cialis Support Group
- 91 Reviews for Cialis - Add your own review/rating
- Cialis Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Cialis Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Cialis MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Cialis Consumer Overview
- Tadalafil Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Adcirca MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Adcirca Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Adcirca Consumer Overview
Compare Cialis with other medications
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Erectile Dysfunction
