Cialis

What is Cialis?

Cialis is a prescription-only medication designed for adult men with erectile dysfunction, a condition where achieving or maintaining an erection for sexual activity is challenging. It works by relaxing penile blood vessels, increasing blood flow when sexually stimulated. Additionally, Cialis treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, easing symptoms such as frequent urination or weak urine flow by relaxing prostate and bladder muscles. Its active ingredient, tadalafil, sets it apart from other ED medications due to its prolonged duration of action.

For more details, visit the Cialis Patient Information Leaflet.

How Does Cialis Work?

Cialis inhibits the PDE5 enzyme, which breaks down cyclic GMP (cGMP), a molecule that relaxes smooth muscles in the penis. By blocking PDE5, tadalafil increases cGMP levels, promoting blood flow and enabling an erection with sexual arousal. For BPH, it relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder, improving urinary symptoms. Sexual stimulation is required for Cialis to be effective, as it does not induce erections on its own.

Learn more about its mechanism at Medical News Today – Cialis.

Uses of Cialis

Cialis is primarily prescribed for:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED): Helps men achieve and maintain erections.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Relieves symptoms like urinary urgency, weak stream, or difficulty starting urination.

Another brand of tadalafil, Adcirca, treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but this article focuses on Cialis for ED and BPH. For detailed uses, refer to Drugs.com – Cialis.

Dosage and Administration

Cialis is available as oral tablets in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg strengths. Dosage varies by condition:

• ED: Typical starting dose is 10mg, taken as needed at least 30 minutes before sexual activity, with a maximum of one dose daily. A 5mg daily dose is an option for continuous effect.
• BPH: Recommended dose is 5mg once daily, taken at the same time each day.

Swallow tablets whole with water, with or without food. Effects may last up to 36 hours, but do not exceed one dose per day. Always follow your doctor’s prescription, as overdosing can increase side effect risks. For dosage guidance, see Mayo Clinic – Tadalafil.

Side Effects of Cialis

Most users tolerate Cialis well, but side effects can occur. Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Facial flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Indigestion

Serious side effects, though rare, require immediate medical attention:

• Prolonged erection (priapism, lasting over 4 hours)
• Sudden vision loss or distortion
• Sudden hearing loss or ringing in ears
• Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, breathing difficulty)
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat

For a complete list, refer to the Cialis PIL.

Precautions and Warnings

Cialis is not suitable for everyone. Avoid it if you:

• Are allergic to tadalafil or any Cialis ingredients.
• Take nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin) or nitric oxide donors (e.g., amyl nitrite) for angina.
• Have serious heart disease, a recent heart attack (within 90 days), or stroke (within 6 months).
• Have low or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Have experienced vision loss due to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
• Use riociguat for pulmonary hypertension.

Inform your doctor if you have:

• Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia)
• Penile deformities (e.g., Peyronie’s disease)
• Severe liver or kidney problems
• History of pelvic surgery or radical non-nerve-sparing prostatectomy

Additional Precautions:

• Heart Health: Sexual activity may strain the heart; discuss risks with your doctor if you have heart conditions.
• Driving: Dizziness may occur; avoid driving or operating machinery if affected.
• Age: Not for women or individuals under 18.

For full precautions, see FDA – Cialis Q&A.

Drug Interactions

Cialis may interact with medications, affecting its efficacy or increasing side effect risks. Notable interactions include:

• Nitrates: Can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
• Alpha-blockers: May lead to low blood pressure or dizziness.
• Riociguat: Increases risk of hypotension.
• Antifungals/Antibiotics: Drugs like ketoconazole, erythromycin, or clarithromycin may increase tadalafil levels.
• Other Medications: Protease inhibitors, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or rifampicin may alter Cialis effects.

Always disclose all medications, including over-the-counter and herbal products, to your doctor. For interaction details, visit Drugs.com – Tadalafil Interactions.

Alcohol and Food

• Alcohol: Excessive drinking (blood alcohol level ≥0.08%) may reduce erection ability and lower blood pressure, increasing dizziness.
• Grapefruit Juice: May affect how well Cialis works; consult your doctor before consuming.

Storage and Disposal

• Storage: Keep below 30°C in its original packaging, away from moisture and heat. Store out of reach and sight of children.
• Disposal: Return unused or expired tablets to a pharmacy for safe disposal; do not flush or discard in household waste.

Patient Information Leaflet for Cialis

The patient information leaflet (PIL) for Cialis provides essential guidance on safe use, side effects, and precautions. Below is a summarized version of key points:

Key Information from the PIL

• Purpose: Treats erectile dysfunction and BPH symptoms in adult men, requiring sexual stimulation for ED treatment.
• Contraindications:
  • Avoid if allergic to tadalafil or any ingredients.
  • Do not use with nitrates, nitric oxide donors, or riociguat.
  • Contraindicated in severe heart disease, recent heart attack/stroke, low/uncontrolled blood pressure, or NAION-related vision loss.
• Special Care:
  • Inform your doctor about heart conditions, blood disorders, penile deformities, liver/kidney issues, or prior pelvic surgery.
  • Stop use and seek immediate help for sudden vision/hearing loss, chest pain, or priapism.
• Dosage:
  • For ED, start with 10mg as needed, up to 20mg if needed; 5mg daily for continuous use.
  • For BPH, take 5mg daily.
  • Take at least 30 minutes before sexual activity; do not exceed one dose daily.
• Administration:
  • Swallow whole with water, with or without food.
  • Effective up to 36 hours; not for continuous daily use in as-needed dosing.
• Side Effects:
  • Common (1-10/100): Headache, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion.
  • Uncommon (1-10/1,000): Dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, nosebleeds.
  • Rare (1-10/10,000): Fainting, seizures, hearing loss, penile bleeding.
  • Serious: Allergic reactions, priapism, sudden vision/hearing loss; seek immediate help.
• Storage: Store below 30°C in original packaging, away from children.
• Ingredients:
  • Active: Tadalafil.
  • Inactive: Lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium laurilsulfate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, triacetin, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow.

For the full PIL, visit Medicines.org.uk – Cialis PIL.

Table: Cialis Patient Information Leaflet Summary

Conclusion

Cialis is a highly effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia, offering men improved sexual function and relief from urinary symptoms. Its long-lasting effects, up to 36 hours, make it a popular choice. However, safe use requires medical supervision, adherence to prescribed dosages, and awareness of potential side effects and interactions. The patient information leaflet is a vital resource for understanding how to use Cialis safely. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure Cialis is appropriate for your health needs.