This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Cialis Consumer Information
CIALIS
Generic Name: tadalafil (tah DAL a fil)
Brand Names: Cialis
What is the most important information I should know about tadalafil?
- Do not take tadalafil if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
- nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"); or
- an alpha blocker (other than tamsulosin (Flomax) 0.4 mg once a day) such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and others.
- Taking tadalafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack.
- Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
- Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity.
- Tadalafil is usually taken when needed before sexual activity. The effects of tadalafil may last for up to 36 hours or more. Your doctor will determine how often you can take tadalafil. Do not take tadalafil more often than is directed by your doctor.
What is tadalafil?
- Tadalafil relaxes muscles within the penis. This allows increased blood flow into the penis, necessary to achieve and maintain an erection.
- Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
- Tadalafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tadalafil?
- Do not take tadalafil if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a nitrate such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro, others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), and others;
- nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"); or
- an alpha blocker (other than tamsulosin (Flomax) 0.4 mg once a day) such as doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and others.
- Taking tadalafil with any of these medications may cause very low blood pressure, possibly resulting in dizziness, fainting, stroke, or heart attack.
- Before taking tadalafil, tell your doctor if you
- have heart problems such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, or have had a heart attack;
- have low blood pressure or high blood pressure that is not controlled;
- have had a stroke;
- have liver problems;
- have kidney problems;
- have ever had blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
- have a bleeding disorder;
- have a stomach ulcer;
- have retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
- have a physical deformity of the penis such as Peyronie's disease;
- had an erection that lasted longer than 4 hours.
- You may not be able to take tadalafil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Although tadalafil is not indicated for use by women, it is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that tadalafil is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tadalafil should not be taken by women.
- It is not known whether tadalafil passes into breast milk. Tadalafil should not be taken by women.
- If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from tadalafil. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.
How should I take tadalafil?
- Take tadalafil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Tadalafil is usually taken when needed before sexual activity. The effects of tadalafil may last for up to 36 hours or more. Your doctor will determine how often you can take tadalafil. Do not take tadalafil more often than is directed by your doctor.
- Tadalafil can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.
- Tadalafil can be taken with or without food.
- Tadalafil should not be taken with excessive amounts of alcohol (e.g. 5 or more drinks). Excessive alcohol may increase the risk of headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, or low blood pressure when tadalafil is taken.
- If you develop dizziness, nausea, or angina (pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, neck, or jaw) during sexual activity, refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor.
- Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention for any erection that lasts longer than 4 hours. A sustained erection can damage the penis.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with tadalafil. The interaction could lead to potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
- Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Tadalafil is used as needed, so you are not likely to miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of a tadalafil overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking tadalafil?
- Do not take any other drug used to treat impotence, such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your doctor.
- Tadalafil should not be taken with excessive amounts of alcohol (e.g. 5 or more drinks). Excessive alcohol may increase the risk of headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, or low blood pressure when tadalafil is taken.
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with tadalafil. The interaction could lead to potentially adverse effects. You should discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.