tadalafil

Other known brand names

Cialis, Adcirca

About tadalafil

Tadalafil is commonly prescribed to treat the conditions erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Tadalafil works by temporarily increasing the blood flow to the penis, during periods of sexual stimulation. It is available with a prescription as a generic or as the active ingredient in Cialis or Adcirca. It is also available as the brand Cialis together, over the counter.

Tadalafil in certain doses is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure affecting blood vessels supplying the lungs) by relaxing blood vessels in the chest.

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 tadalafil or the brand Cialis as treatments for erectile dysfunction only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of tadalafil

• Tadalafil usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to work
• Tadalafil can be taken 30 minutes before you want to have sex
• Tadalafil does not result in an erection if taken alone. You would need to be sexually excited for it to work
• Tadalafil 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 tadalafil 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 tadalafil prescribed for pulmonary hypertension because it affects the way the medicine works

Who is tadalafil suitable for?

Tadalafil is suitable for most men aged 18 and over.

Who is tadalafil not suitable for?

Tadalafil may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking tadalafil if you:

• Have low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure that is not controlled (hypertension)
• Have sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, or multiple myeloma
• Have a deformity of your penis or Peyronie’s disease (curved penis)
• Have previously had an allergic reaction to tadalafil
• Are taking nitrates for angina (chest pain)
• Have a serious liver or kidney problem
• Have 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
• Have reduced blood flow to your eye causing you to lose your vision

How and where to get tadalafil ?

You can buy tadalafil 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 tadalafil 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 tadalafil when used for erectile dysfunction

Tadalafil is available in tablet form and when used for erectile dysfunction it is available in strengths ranging from 2.5mg to 20mg tablets. The typical daily dose of tadalafil is a 10mg tablet, taken 30 minutes before sexual activity. The effects of tadalafil 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.

What happens if you take too much tadalafil ?

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 tadalafil 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 tadalafil ?

Side effects of tadalafil are split into common and serious. If you are prescribed tadalafil 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
• Serious allergic reaction
• Priapism (long-lasting and potentially painful 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 tadalafil 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.

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

Why might tadalafil not work for erection problems?

Tadalafil 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 tadalafil taken for erectile dysfunction be taken long term?

Tadalafil 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 tadalafil ?

No. Herbal tadalafil 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 tadalafil ?

You can eat and drink normally when taking tadalafil 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 tadalafil

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

Sources

• Erectile dysfunction – NHS
•  MHRA Products – Home