Key Features:
– Long Duration of Action: Tadalafil can remain effective for up to 36 hours.
– Quick Onset: Typically begins working within 30 to 60 minutes.
– Versatility: available in 10mg or 20mg tablets.
Tadalafil is a preferred choice for many due to its prolonged effectiveness. It should be used under medical guidance and in conjunction with lifestyle modifications.
What is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, is primarily designed to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. It relaxes the muscles of the blood vessels, facilitating an erection when combined with sexual stimulation. Tadalafil is also effective in relieving symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia by easing muscle tension in the prostate and bladder.
Summary of Tadalafil:
– Condition Prescribed For: Erectile Dysfunction.
– Class of Drug: Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
– Active Ingredient: Tadalafil.
– Available Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.
– Possible Side Effects: Headache, back pain, muscle aches, facial flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, and in some cases, changes in vision or hearing.
How Tadalafil Works:
Tadalafil works by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, leading to increased levels of cGMP in the penile tissue. This results in relaxation of the smooth muscles and arteries in the penis, enhancing blood flow and enabling an erection with sexual stimulation.
Patient Information Leaflet:
For comprehensive information on this prescription medication, please refer to the Tadalafil Patient Information Leaflet.
How Do I Use Tadalafil?
Tadalafil should be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It can be taken with or without food, about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. The usual starting dose is 10 mg, adjustable based on efficacy and tolerability. For daily use, a lower dose of 2.5 mg or 5 mg is recommended. Do not take Tadalafil more than once per day.
Safety and Precautions:
Avoid Tadalafil if you are taking nitrates for chest pain, as it can cause a significant drop in blood pressure. Be cautious if you have a history of cardiovascular disease, low blood pressure, or if you’ve had a recent stroke or heart attack. Tadalafil should not be combined with other ED treatments. Seek immediate medical help if you experience chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sexual activity.
For comprehensive information on this prescription medication, please refer to the Tadalafil Patient Information Leaflet.
Common Side Effects:
Tadalafil, like all medicines, can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. These effects are typically mild to moderate. However, it’s crucial to stop using the medicine and seek immediate medical help if you encounter any of the following side effects: an uncommon allergic reaction, which may include sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing or dizziness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, or throat, or rashes; chest pain, which also occurs uncommonly and should be addressed by getting into a semi-sitting position and relaxing without using nitrates, and seeking immediate medical assistance; a rare occurrence of persistent and sometimes painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours; rare instances of sudden decrease or loss of vision, which may manifest as distorted, dimmed, blurred central vision, or a sudden decrease in vision; and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare but serious skin disorder characterised by flu-like symptoms and a painful rash that spreads and blisters.
Other reported side effects include common issues like headache, back pain, muscle aches, pain in arms and legs, facial flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion. Uncommon side effects, seen in 1 to 100 people, include dizziness, stomach ache, feeling sick, vomiting, reflux, blurred vision, eye pain, difficulty in breathing, blood in urine, prolonged erection, pounding heartbeat, a fast heart rate, high or low blood pressure, nose bleeds, ringing in the ears, swelling of the hands, feet or ankles, and feeling tired. Rare side effects, occurring in 1 to 10 in every 1000 people, include fainting, seizures, passing memory loss, swelling of the eyelids, red eyes, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, hives, penile bleeding, blood in semen, and increased sweating. Heart attacks and strokes have also been reported rarely, mostly in men with pre-existing heart conditions.
Some additional rare side effects not observed in clinical trials but reported by men taking Tadalafil include migraine, facial swelling, severe allergic reactions causing swelling of the face or throat, serious skin rashes, disorders affecting blood flow to the eyes, irregular heartbeats, angina, and sudden cardiac death. The side effect of dizziness has been more frequently reported in men over 75 years old, and diarrhoea is more common in men over 65 years old taking Tadalafil.
If you experience any side effects, it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the leaflet. Side effects can also be reported directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or through the MHRA Yellow Card app. Reporting side effects helps provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
For a comprehensive list of side effects, please refer to the Tadalafil Patient Information Leaflet.
When Should Tadalafil NOT Be Used?
Tadalafil is contraindicated for those allergic to its ingredients, individuals on nitrate medication, and men with certain severe medical conditions. It is not recommended for women, individuals under 18, or for those with severe heart or liver problems.
Always consult the patient information leaflet and your healthcare provider to ensure Tadalafil is safe and suitable for your health needs.
