Tadalafil is commonly marketed under the brand name Cialis as a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, which increase the blood supply to the penis by tightening the muscles in the prostate and bladder. Uses, Side effects, and other relevant useful data about tadalafil will be discussed in this essay.
Uses:
The most common use of tadalafil is in ED, where a man cannot achieve or sustain an erection while he has sex. It does so by inhibiting the enzyme PDE5, which degrades a chemical known as cGMP. Tadalafil blocks PDE5, which keeps cGMP inside the penis longer, which causes more blood to flow and maintains an active erection.
The FDA also recommends tadalafil for the treatment of BPH, which occurs when the prostate gland becomes inflamed and prevents you from urinating. In this instance, tadalafil relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder, which in turn makes it easier to urinate.
In addition to these applications, tadalafil is also sometimes used off-label for other conditions, including pulmonary arterial hypertension and Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Dosage:
Tadalafil comes in tablet shape in concentrations ranging from 2.5 mg to 20 mg. The standard dose for ED is 10 mg, administered 30 minutes before sex. The dosage can be varied depending on response, up to a daily maximum of 20 mg.
For BPH, the recommended dose is 5 mg per day at the same time every day. It may take up to 4 weeks before tadalafil BPH completely shows effects.
You should always take the medication according to its instructions and never take more than its maximum daily dosage, as it can increase your chances of side effects.
Side Effects:
Tadalafil does have side effects, but not everyone gets them. Headache, bloating, back pain, muscle pain, flushing, and runny or stuffy nose are the most frequent side effects.
Headache
Headaches are one of the most frequent adverse effects of tadalafil, occurring in as many as 15 percent of patients. We don’t fully understand the kinetics of this kind of response, but assume it was caused at least in part by the drug’s vessel dilation action. Vasodilation increases blood flow to the head and may feel uncomfortable. For headaches, you can try drinking more water and taking prescription painkillers.
Upset Stomach
An upset stomach, including potential symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, is experienced by about 8% of individuals who take tadalafil. No one knows the exact mechanism but assumes the drug-induced alteration of the gastrointestinal tract could account for these symptoms. Altering a diet or administering the medication at meals can relieve discomfort in an upset stomach.
Back Pain and Muscle Aches
Backache and muscle aches are common as well, with backache affecting up to 11% of users and muscle aches up to 5%. It’s not clear how this pain works. But this insidious symptom, like headache, was speculated to result from tadalafil’s relaxation of smooth muscles across the body. For some, symptoms can be eased through stretching, light exercise, or over-the-counter pain medication.
Flushing
Flushing involves an extreme swelling of the skin and occurs in about one in ten people taking tadalafil. This effect is due, in part, to constriction of blood vessels below the skin, thereby improving blood flow. Although flushing is typically non-sensical and inconsequential, people with it will experience it tempered somewhat by wearing loose clothing and keeping cool.
Stuffy or Runny Nose
This is an uncommon side effect and occurs in around 4% of users. It could be caused by an inflammation of the nasal passages that is perhaps triggered by the bioactivity of tadalafil. Saline nasal sprays or antihistamines provide relief of the symptom in patients who report the symptoms.
These effects are typically minor and could resolve in a few hours or days.
More serious, though less common, side effects can include sudden eye-blindness, ear-loss, chest pain, and priapism (a painful, unnatural erection lasting longer than 4 hours). When any of these side effects occur, call your doctor as soon as possible.
Tadalafil can also interact with other drugs like nitrates, alpha blockers, and some antibiotics, so make sure you inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking.
Precautions:
Avoid taking tadalafil if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, or are taking nitrates for chest pain. Neither should it be used by women or children younger than 18.
Individuals with certain health conditions, including heart disease, liver or kidney disease, stroke or heart attack, must be cautious about taking tadalafil. Before taking this drug, talk to your physician about your medical history.
Further, the drug tadalafil can lower blood pressure at an unexpected rate when used in combination with alcohol or grapefruit juice, so do not use these drugs while you take it.
Conclusion:
Tadalafil is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for ED and BPH; it does so by promoting the flow of blood and contracting the muscles of the penis and prostate, respectively. Generally, tadalafil is well tolerated with side effects occasionally observed. Dosage and caution prescriptions could reduce unwanted effects. If you experience any deteriorating side effects while on tadalafil, immediately contact your physician. In many patients, tadalafil is safe and effective in treating ED or BPH.
