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EspañolCialis overview
BRAND NAMES:
Cialis, Adcirca, Alyq
Generic Names:
Tadalafil
Uses:
Treats erectile dysfunction and the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Also treats pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) to improve your exercise ability.
Therapeutic Classes:
Antihypertensive, Erectile Dysfunction Agent
Forms:
Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Cialis used for?
Cialis is a versatile drug with a few different applications. Aside from erectile dysfunction, tadalafil can effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause urinary symptoms, such as a frequent need to urinate or an inability to fully empty the bladder during urination.
However, the primary use of Cialis is the treatment for ED. Cialis works exclusively to help achieve erections. There's some false information floating around online about what ED drugs can and can't do. Contrary to what you might read on forums or hear from others, Cialis will not cure low libido or premature ejaculation. Nor does it make erections larger, prevent sexually-transmitted diseases, or improve sexual stamina (unless someone has a problem with losing an erection during intercourse).
Cialis isn't approved to treat sexual dysfunction in women. There are isolated anecdotes about Cialis increasing blood flow to a woman's genitals the same way it does for a man, improving their pleasure and libido. But there aren't any controlled studies to back this up. In most cases, it simply has no effect. However, doctors might sometimes prescribe tadalafil for women who have pulmonary arterial hypertension.
RELATED: How to safely buy Cialis online
How does Cialis work?
Cialis is a brand name for the drug tadalafil, which belongs to a drug class called phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors). Phosphodiesterase type 5 is an enzyme that controls blood flow in blood vessels around the penis, lungs, and other areas. By blocking this enzyme, tadalafil allows for more blood flow to the area, making it easier to get an erection during sexual activity.
Arousal, however, is all about timing. Men often wonder when they should take Cialis and how long it lasts. Fortunately, there's a pretty big window. It can take anywhere between 15 minutes and two hours to take effect. After that, it can last up to 36 hours. Taking it two hours before sex is usually the best bet. However, Cialis isn't an aphrodisiac. It makes getting an erection easier but still requires sexual stimulation.
There are multiple brands of tadalafil, but Cialis (created by Eli Lilly) is the most popular. It's also expensive. Depending on the strength and dosage prescribed, it can cost upward of $1,350 without insurance.
Doctors will prescribe Cialis, generic tadalafil, or a comparable medication like Viagra for men who have ED. However, underlying health issues like heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and others can cause ED, so the doctor might want to test for and treat those first or simultaneously.
What form(s) does Cialis come in
Tablet
What are common Cialis doses?
Tablet 5MG
Tablet 10MG
Tablet 20MG
Box 30 Tablets
Common Cialis prescriptions
Cialis
12 tablets bottleCialis
16 tablets bottleCialis
2 tablets bottleCialis
30 tablets bottleCialis
4 tablets bottleCialis
5 tablets bottleCialis
6 tablets bottleCialis
8 tablets bottleCialis
15 tablets boxCialis
30 tablets boxCialis
10mg tabletCialis
20mg tabletCialis
5mg tablet
How to take Cialis
Cialis comes in tablet form and four different strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. Dosing varies depending on a patient's tolerability and condition severity.
“There are multiple ways to dose Cialis. Typically 20 mg is given for 72 hour’s worth of use,” says Dr. Michael Hall, MD, founder of the Hall Longevity Clinic. “It also can be given as a 2.5 or 5 mg tablet on a daily basis depending on the condition being treated. Some find daily use may be more effective for their needs.”
The average daily use dosage for BPH treatment is 5 mg. Brand-name Cialis isn't indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Instead, doctors prescribe a different form of tadalafil called Adcirca in a heftier dose—40 mg, once per day.
Cialis can take effect anywhere between 15 minutes and two hours and has a half-life of 17.5 hours. The drug's concentration will peak anywhere between 30 minutes and six hours.
There's not typically a dosage adjustment for elderly patients unless they show heightened sensitivity.
Cialis contraindications
Women and children should not take Cialis, although they might take Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Cialis warnings
Dr. Hall suggests that any “men who have had a history of stroke or heart attack need to be more careful with the use of any phosphodiesterase inhibitor,” including Cialis. Additionally, Eli Lilly's drug info says that anyone with a history of one or more of the following medical conditions should inform their doctor before taking Cialis:
Heart failure
Stroke
Liver or kidney problems
Stomach ulcers
Peyronie’s disease
Retinitis pigmentosa
Sickle cell anemia or multiple myeloma
Cialis interactions
According to the FDA drug label, Cialis can have potentially dangerous drug interactions with the following medications:
Nitrates: Simultaneously taking nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, or recreational "poppers" like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness and fainting.
Alpha-blockers: Also used to treat enlarged prostate and high blood pressure, drugs like terazosin, tamsulosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin, and silodosin can cause dangerously low blood pressure when combined with Cialis.
Azole antifungals: Some antifungal drugs (ketoconazole and itraconazole) can increase Cialis levels in the bloodstream, potentially lowering your blood pressure further.
Macrolide antibiotics: Certain antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, and telithromycin can increase Cialis levels in the blood.
HIV protease inhibitors: These drugs (specifically ritonavir) can also increase the concentration of Cialis in the blood.
Alcohol: As a mild vasodilator (dilates blood vessels), excessive alcohol consumption while taking Cialis can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, and an increased heart rate.
Other pulmonary arterial hypertension medications like Revatio (sildenafil)
Other erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra (sildenafil) or Levitra (vardenafil)
Cialis side effects
Like any other drug, Cialis has the potential to cause certain adverse reactions. The most common side effects include:
Headache
Indigestion
Muscle aches or muscle pain
Back pain
Nasal congestion
Flushing
Stomach pain or discomfort
Pain in the arms or legs
There are some serious side effects that anyone considering Cialis should know. Erections lasting more than four hours (called priapism) require medical help. Otherwise, there’s a risk of lasting damage to the surrounding penile tissue.
While Cialis hasn't been linked to long-term heart problems, it can drop blood pressure to dangerously low levels (especially when taken with another vasodilator), potentially causing dizziness, fainting, heart attack, and stroke.
In rare cases, Cialis can also cause loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Anyone experiencing one of these reactions should seek medical attention immediately.
Even though Cialis can help sustain an erection, it won't prevent ejaculation, so contraceptives are still necessary to avoid pregnancy.
And it doesn't work for everyone (although it's effective for most). Fortunately, there are backup options. The first option would be adjusting the dosage or trying a different ED drug. If that doesn't work, penile injections, vacuum restriction pumps, and penile implants are viable options.
How do other ED pills compare to Cialis?
There are several different drugs on the market that can treat erectile dysfunction:
Viagra (sildenafil):
Viagra only lasts three to five hours (compared to Cialis, which lasts up to 36), but it's also often less expensive. Most often, it's prescribed for use as needed, not every day.
Levitra (vardenafil):
Levitra only lasts three to five hours and isn't intended for daily use. Like Viagra, it's usually somewhat cheaper than Cialis.
Stendra (avanafil):
This drug works a lot faster than Cialis, so it's good for spur-of-the-moment sexual activity, and it lasts for six hours on average. However, it's also more expensive than the alternatives.
Generic versions of tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil are also available for significantly lower prices than their brand-name counterparts. Stendra is only available as a brand-name drug, as generic avanafil has not yet been approved.
Which one is best? That depends on the specific person. Tadalafil and sildenafil have shown similar efficacy in treating ED. However, tadalafil can function continuously when taken daily, while sildenafil should be taken as needed. Avanafil is somewhat similar to sildenafil in chemical structure and effect. Anyone who is on a budget might look into a generic option rather than a brand name since they're quite a bit more affordable. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil have all shown efficacy in treating the symptoms of BPH too, although they can interact negatively with alpha-blockers, another common BPH treatment.
In terms of side effects, “Cialis and Viagra can have a different effect on the body,” Dr. Hall says. “Viagra tends to cause more vasodilation throughout the body, including in the nasal region, which can cause a lot of congestion. Viagra also has an effect on the eye, which can cause a blue hue, as it may impact retinal circulation.”