CIALIS

Other known brand names

Adcirca

About Cialis

Cialis contains tadalafil as the active ingredient. It is commonly prescribed to treat the conditions erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cialis belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works by temporarily increasing blood flow through blood vessels to the penis, during periods of sexual stimulation.

Tadalafil is only available on prescription for erectile dysfunction if you have a spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. If you do not have these conditions you may get a private prescription.

NowPatient offers Cialis, or the non branded version tadalafil as treatments for erectile dysfunction only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Cialis

• Cialis usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to work
• Cialis can be taken 30 minutes before you want to have sex
• Cialis does not result in an erection if taken alone. You would need to be sexually excited for it to work
• Cialis has some common side effects which include headaches, facial flushes, feeling sick, and indigestion. Many people display no side effects, or if they do the side effects can be mild
• It can be dangerous to take Cialis with certain medications like alpha blockers or nitrates (nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate). The combination can lead to a dangerous fall in your blood pressure. If you’re not sure if you’re taking a nitrate, you can discuss this with the prescribing clinician
• You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice if you’re taking Cialis prescribed for pulmonary hypertension because it affects the way the medicine works

Who is Cialis suitable for?

Cialis is suitable for most men aged 18 and over.

Who is Cialis not suitable for?

Cialis may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Cialis if you have the following medical conditions:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure that is not controlled (hypertension)
• Sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, or multiple myeloma
• A deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
• Have previously had an allergic reaction to Cialis
• Are taking nitrates for angina (chest pain)
• High cholesterol
• Serious liver or kidney problems
• Recently had a heart attack, stroke, or other heart problem – your healthcare professional should carefully check whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex
• Reduced blood flow to your eye causing you to lose your vision

How and where to get Cialis?

You can buy Cialis safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you can discuss if Cialis is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Cialis when used for erectile dysfunction

Cialis is available as a film coated tablet, and when used for erectile dysfunction it is available in strengths ranging from 2.5mg tablets to 20mg tablets. The typical daily dose of Cialis is a 10mg tablet, taken 30 minutes before sexual activity. The effects of Cialis may last longer than 24 hours so do not take it more than once a day. This dose can be adjusted up to 20mg or decreased to 2.5mg depending on the effects. Read the patient information leaflet provided to you with your medication for further information.

What happens if you take too much Cialis?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects.

You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Cialis and you experience any of the following side effects:

• Headaches
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Hearing loss
• Blurred vision

What are the side effects of Cialis?

Possible side effects of Cialis are split into common and serious. If you are prescribed Cialis for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you’re unlikely to get side effects, since you are only taking it short term.

Common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Feeling sick
• Facial flushing
• Hot flushes
• Indigestion
• Muscles aches
• Back pain
• Stuffy nose

Serious side effects include:

• Sudden decrease or loss of vision, or retinitis pigmentosa
• Serious allergic reaction
• Priapism (prolonged erection)
• Heart attack, stroke, or irregular heartbeat, which mainly occur in people with heart disease

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here https://nowpatient.com/blog/how-and-where-do-i-report-side-effects-of-my-medication

Information about taking Cialis at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

You should inform your doctor or prescribing clinician if you are currently taking any medications called nitrates (such as isosorbide mononitrate), alpha blockers (doxazosin, tamsulosin), certain antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole), certain antibiotics (erythromycin), HIV protease inhibitors (ritonavir), medications for high blood pressure, or other treatments for erectile dysfunction such as recreation drugs like Poppers (amyl nitrate).

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Cialis. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Why might Cialis not work for erection problems?

Cialis may not work for you and common reasons may be:

• You have not waited long enough after taking it before trying to have sex
• You have waited too long after taking it to have sex
• The dose is not high enough
• You’re not sexually aroused

Can Cialis taken for erectile dysfunction be taken long term?

Cialis is safe to take for a long time. There do not seem to be any lasting harmful effects from taking it for many months and years.

Is there a herbal Cialis?

No. Herbal Cialis does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Cialis?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Cialis to get an erection.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with erectile dysfunction?

You modify your lifestyle in a number of ways, and this may have a positive impact on your erectile dysfunction.

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink
• Not taking recreational drugs
• Exercising regularly
• Reducing stress

Alternatives to Cialis

Alternative PDE5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction include sildenafil (Viagra), and vardenafil (Levitra).

Sources

• Erectile dysfunction – NHS
•  MHRA Products – Home