Cialis, commonly recognized as tadalafil, is a drug that most doctors use for treating erectile dysfunction. However, there are five things you should know before taking the drug for ED.
- Uses and benefits
Cialis consists of an active drug component called Tadalafil which is a derivative of the PDE 5 or Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors.
This drug is an FDA (Food and drug administration) approved prescribed medication that is responsible for treating sexual complications in men such as Erectile Dysfunction alternatively also known as Sexual Impotence.
According to Drugs.com website, this medication belongs to the class of medication called PDE-5 inhibitors. It treats ED by increasing blood supply to the penis upon sexual stimulation.
In an article titled, “Cialis: 7 things you know”, you increase the beneficial effects of Cialis by when you take the tablet whole and at regular intervals.
It is considered to be one of the most common sexual functioning disorders in men with a medium-to-high rate of case prevalence.
It also helps in treating symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.
This condition indicates the enlargement of the prostate gland which slows down the normal flow of urine urging the patient to urinate more frequently.
Cialis functions by relaxing the muscles in the prostate causing sexual stimulation.
This triggers the circulation of blood in the penis to cause an erection, hard enough for intercourse.
It also treats the bladder muscles allowing the easy flow of urine. The drug is available in the medical stores in low-dose versions.
The starting dose commences from 2.5 mg and the dosage also depends upon how frequently you are willing to go for intercourse in a week.
If it’s 2 or more than 2 times a week, a daily pill might be sufficient because the drug spontaneously circulates in the blood retaining the effect.
- Dosage and consumption pattern
The effectiveness of the medicine can be realized owing to its accurate dosage. In response to the area of treatment, the dosage of the medication is determined.
Usually, Tadalafil is prescribed to be taken 30 minutes to an hour before sexual intercourse.
It can be taken orally with or without food. The effectiveness of the medicine stays for the next 36 hours.
Having the medicine systematically at a specific time daily is recommended or commonly used however frequent consumption (more than once) can certainly cause painful side effects sometimes fatal as well.
Thus, consuming the dosage as directed by your doctor is a MUST.
Generally, to cure the initial stage of ED or BPH, the doctor starts from a low dose of Cialis to keep the body unaffected from other complications such as kidney or liver issues.
Keeping in touch with your doctor about the necessary updates: whether the situation progresses or deteriorates is also Imperative.
The dosage strengths of Tadalafil ranges from 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg to 20 mg.
- Side effects of the medicine
A cutthroat list of all possible side effects has not been discovered yet.
- Mild side effects include:
- Throbbing headaches
- Lightheadedness or feeling dizzy: this generally happens when there is a sudden fall in blood pressure
- Back pain
- Muscle contusions
- Heartburn
- Heavy nose
- Skin redness etc.
However, the potential benefits of Cialis can surpass the risk of side effects, only when the right dosage is consumed.
Serious side effects include:
- Long-lasting erection for four hours or more with severe pain
- Breathing trouble
- Vision loss or blindness
- Decreased hearing ability or ringing in the ears.
In addition to other bodily ailments such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, Diabetes, the negative effects of the medicine elevate.
According to a WebMD publication titled “Cialis: Uses, Side Effects and More”, you can lower dizziness and headache by raising more slowly from a sitting or lying position.
You should consult your doctor if you note any severe side effects. These include fainting, chest/left arm pain, and nausea.
Checking whether the genital skin of the penis reacts to the medicine via allergic reactions (rashes, swelling, or itching) is also very significant.
Especially, if someone between the age group of 18 to 60, is going through any other medical conditions, it is highly important to take necessary precautions and consult from your doctor before proceeding further.
- Drug interactions
The combination of Cialis with other medicines having nitrates is Highly Prohibited.
Usually, Nitrates are responsible for widening the blood vessels around the heart specifically used to treat issues like Coronary artery disease, or chest discomfort (squeezing pain under breastbone, alternatively also known as ‘Angina’).
Mostly interactive drugs include Amyl or Butyl nitrate, isosorbide, and nitroglycerin. These may have similar effects when mixed with Cialis or any other pill used to treat ED. Thus, prior precautions are recommended.
The combined consumption of such medicines can cause a severe downfall in Blood pressure leading to cardiac arrests or strokes which can be highly fatal to handle.
It is always recommended to buy your ED medicines from a trustworthy well-known store for there is a hint of counterfeit circulation of products too.
Also, taking care of certain lifestyle changes including weight loss, sticking to a balanced diet, regular exercise can bring helpful improvements.
- Strict precautions
Here’s a list of precautionary measures that one must follow before treating the Erectile Dysfunction or BPH:
Prohibit the consumption of Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, or any form of addiction.
According to Drugs.com, the peak efficacy occurs two hours after swallowing Cialis, though the effects last between one to six hours.
Remember that this drug could interact with other medication you are currently taking and so you must discuss these challenges with your physician before you commence it.
Avoid misuse to mitigate its side effects.
Consult your doctor and talk to him/her about your medical history or any bodily illness, permanent or temporary. Special mentions about any recent heart-related issues like fatal heart attacks in the past 6 months, frequent chest pain, painful and prolonged erection (priapism), stomach ulcers, kidney/liver diseases, irregularities in blood pressure.
A little bit of research from beforehand is always helpful. So, try to update yourself about the possible pros and cons of the medication. It is highly important to know the symptoms, potential side effects prior, and take necessary healthcare and lifestyle suggestions to adapt to the necessary changes.
It is highly imperative to not take other alternative medications to treat ED while the patient is already on a prescribed dose of Cialis without the doctor’s permission. That can be a grave mistake on the part of the patient.
Owing to the disorder a man may suffer from serious emotional anxieties or depressing factors like stress. Thus, sometimes treating this mental illness also helps in the healing process.
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- Not ideal for everyone
Cialis is a PDE5-class medication primarily designed to fight prostate enlargement and erection difficulties. It’s available in both generic and brand variants.
Although most men take this medication to boost their erection, it’s not suitable for all. This means that if you are suffering from certain medical conditions, you can’t use it.
So who is forbidden from taking Cialis? All those men who have ailments relayed to the proper functioning of the liver, kidney, eyes, and blood.
Some men with gastrointestinal issues, heart conditions, and deformed penis should consult their physicians before enrolling for Cialis treatment.
This is because Cialis may trigger severe side effects of these sicknesses. For example, men with severe liver disease (class C on the Child-Pugh scale) may suffer liver failure if they take high doses of Cialis.
Men with Peyronie’s Syndrome could experience painful erections when under this medication. This could prevent sexual enjoyment.
They may, however, resort to low-dose Cialis taken daily, instead of the medium dose taken “as needed” basis.
- Can’t cure all sexual challenges
Cialis work by drawing blood from your penis. When you have sufficient blood, your erection becomes firm and lasts longer. It, however, doesn’t enlarge your penis.
It also doesn’t make you fit. You need to maintain an ideal weight and robust stamina to energize sexual performance. Thus avoid the notion that it would make you an instant Superman in bed.
The drug doesn’t cure pre-existing conditions. Sex places so much strain on the body. So, if you are having a heart or any chronic condition, you must address these issues accordingly. Cialis can’t cure conditions that affect your sexuality.
Similarly, having unprotected and casual sex always carry certain risks. You understand that some of the STIs are difficult to detect and may spread rapidly. Yet others are incurable once you get infected.
You should appreciate that Cialis doesn’t protect you against such infections. You should, thus take due care to use condoms during all sexual activities.
Certain actions limit the effectiveness of Cialis. Taking grapefruits, excessive drinking, and smoking as some examples.
