Tadalafil and Alcohol: Are They Safe to Mix?

How does tadalafil interact with alcohol? 

There is no direct interaction between Cialis and alcohol. Having a drink or two is unlikely to have an effect on Cialis, or cause any adverse effects to users. However, excess alcohol can exacerbate side effects of Cialis. Both alcohol and tadalafil are vasodilators. A vasodilator relaxes walls of blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, light-headedness, fainting and nausea.

What is tadalafil?

Tadalafil tablets belong to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors were initially used to treat high blood pressure, and their effects on treating ED were discovered accidentally. Clinical trials reported an increase in better quality erections.

Available on the market since 2013 under the brand name Cialis, tadalafil is the non-branded version of the same drug. Once ingested, the effects of the medication usually take effect within a half-hour. 

There are two ways you can choose to take the drug: As a daily medication, also known as ‘tadalafil daily’. This provides a continuous effect, without the need to schedule doses before sex. It can also be taken as needed, a treatment nicknamed ‘the weekend pill’, owed to the 36-hour window that tadalafil is active for.

How does tadalafil work?

Tadalafil works by acting as a vasodilator, increasing the flow of blood to the penis during instances of sexual arousal. By causing your blood vessels to dilate, a greater amount of blood is able to make its way to the penis, enabling a hard erection that is fit for sexual intercourse.

By ‘relaxing’ your blood vessels, they essentially widen, which in turn enables more blood to flow freely to the penis. Stimulation of the penis – either mental or physical – is required to manifest a firm erection.

Is tadalafil safe to take with alcohol?

It is safe to take Cialis with alcohol. However, you should limit your consumption in order to experience the full benefits of tadalafil. One or two drinks is unlikely to have an effect on tadalafil, or the user. However, excess alcohol consumption can make it harder to get an erection, and keep it.

The more you drink alcohol, the more unlikely you are to enjoy the firm erection you’re counting on, when the need arises.

Whilst you may not be looking to keep a reference chart handy beside your alcohol cabinet, simply keeping in mind that excessive consumption is related to the potential ‘wasting’ of your ED medication can be enough to have you employ restraint when drinking.

If you want to have a drink after taking Cialis, you should wait a few hours to reduce the chances of getting side effects. Cialis can remain active in the body for up to 36 hours, however, after a few hours, your body will start to metabolise the drug, reducing blood levels.

Since tadalafil lowers your blood pressure, there are several symptoms that could be augmented with alcohol consumption. Let’s examine what to watch for when reaching for that extra glass if you plan on taking Cialis too.

What are the common side effects of Cialis (tadalafil) and alcohol?

Dizziness

Early indicators that you may have overindulged could be a lightheaded or dizzy sensation when sitting or standing, or the gradual emergence of a headache. 

Although a little dizziness is common when having a drink or two, the compounding effects of Cialis can make these effects more pronounced.  

Hypotension

Large amounts of alcohol whilst on tadalafil or Cialis, increases your risk of orthostatic hypotension –dizziness or light-headedness that comes about when you stand up. Sudden drops of blood pressure can cause you to faint, or black out. 

Erectile Dysfunction

Alcohol acts as a depressant and can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection, even when taking Cialis. In fact, excess alcohol consumption may render Cialis ineffective.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

FAQ:

How much alcohol can you drink with tadalafil?

For best results, limit your alcohol consumption to one or two drinks if you’re taking Cialis. Overindulgence can counter the effects of Cialis and can cause side effects such as dizziness and headache.

Which ED drug works best with alcohol?

No ED drug is designed to be used with alcohol. Alcohol can reduce your ability to get and keep an erection, rendering ED medication as ineffective. Viagra and alcohol are likely to also cause side effects when alcohol consumption is high, however, to a lesser extent than Cialis. This is because Viagra is metabolised much quicker than Cialis, and has a shorter window of action.

Does alcohol stop Cialis from working?

In a word, yes. The same enzymes that break down alcohol break down ED medications as well. Although you can safely have a drink or two when taking Cialis, too much alcohol can result in the medication being broken down in your system before it has a chance to take effect. If you’re not absorbing the correct amount of the dosage, you may not be able to achieve an erection.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.