Is Tadalafil Safe To Take?

What is Cialis (tadalafil)?

Cialis is a popular erectile dysfunction medication, which contains the active ingredient, tadalafil. Tadalafil tablets are also available as a generic, non-branded version, at a much cheaper price. Tadalafil belongs to a class of medication, known as PDE-5 inhibitors. PDE-5 is a chemical in the body that prevents men from getting an erection, so by inhibiting PDE-5, tadalafil works to help men get an erection. A relatively newer impotence treatment, tadalafil is taken 30 minutes before sex, with effects lasting up to 36 hours. It will only work in situations where sexual stimulation occurs.

There is also a lower dose of tadalafil that can be taken every day. This means that men do not need to schedule doses by taking a tablet when required. By taking a tablet every day, it allows men to achieve and maintain an erection spontaneously, upon sexual stimulation.

How much Cialis is safe?

While Cialis is generally considered to be a safe and effective ED medication, there are some individuals for whom this treatment is not suitable for. Certain medical conditions, such as very high or low blood pressure, heart failure, uncontrolled arrhythmias, kidney or liver failure, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders or other severe heart problems, could potentially be exacerbated by the drug. Whilst it is safe to take Cialis if you have had a heart attack or stroke, your doctor will usually wait three months to allow you to recover, before starting you on treatment. In fact, studies have shown that Cialis may be associated with lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Before taking ED medication, it is important to consult your doctor or a licensed medical professional in order to ensure the treatment protocol is right for you. They will diagnose the severity of your condition, as well as any prescriptions you’re currently taking, before ascertaining if Cialis is appropriate for you. 

It is important to disclose any medication you are taking, as drug interactions are a potential concern, regardless of how non-invasive or ‘safe’ you may feel your current protocol may be.

Tadalafil is a PDE-5 inhibitor and has potential interactions with certain medication, including: 

• Alpha blockers
• Some heart medications
• Epilepsy drugs
• Certain antibiotics
• Nitrates and antiviral medications
• Some antifungals
• Cancer treatments

Whilst you may still be eligible to take tadalafil, your doctor or pharmacist may wish to monitor your response to treatment. It is highly recommended that you read the Patient Information Leaflet provided with your medication and monitor any perceived changes or concerns with your healthcare provider.

Recommended dosage of tadalafil

The tadalafil dosage is dependant upon what type of treatment you would prefer.

The 2.5mg and 5mg strengths provide a continuous effect when taken daily. By taking a tablet every day, tadalafil builds up in your system, allowing for spontaneous sex as you do not need to schedule doses. This dosage of the medication is recommended for men who have more than 2 sexual encounters per week. You are also less likely to experience side effects with the lower dose.

Tadalafil is also available in a 10mg or 20mg strength, which is taken when required (30 minutes before sex). These doses are commonly referred to as “the weekend pill”, as their effects can last for up to 36 hours, which means they can be taken on a Friday night, and still be effective on Sunday morning.

The recommended starting dose for tadalafil daily is 2.5mg. Your doctor may wish to increase the dose depending on your response.

For the “when required” tablets, the recommended starting dose is 10mg. Again, depending on your response to treatment, your doctor may wish to increase the dosage.

Here’s how you can effectively take tadalafil, ensuring safe usage:

• Only take one tablet at a time
• The tablet should be taken approximately half an hour before you plan to engage in sexual activity. If you are taking the daily dose tablet, try to take your tablets at the same time every day
• Avoid alcohol consumption prior to taking tadalafil; this can negatively impact your ability to achieve an erection. Alcohol may increase the chances of experiencing some of the more common side effects of the medication, such as headaches and dizziness
• Do not take more than one tablet in a 24-hour period

Is tadalafil safe to take daily?

If you would like to take tadalafil daily, you should begin by taking Cialis or the generic version in the 2.5mg dosage. Should you feel that the effects of this dosage are unsatisfactory, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about increasing the dosage to 5mg. 

The continuous effect provided by taking tadalafil can help you maintain spontaneity in your sex life and remove the need to schedule sexual activity.

If you are taking the “when required dose”, these are also safe to take every day.

Whether taken daily or as needed, tadalafil may still be in your system up to one and a half days after you stop taking the medication, meaning that it exits the body relatively quickly. Any negative effects experienced from taking tadalafil will usually after a few days. So, provided you have got the all clear from your doctor or pharmacist, Cialis is safe to take every day.

Cialis will not lose its effectiveness over time

It is not possible to build up resistance to Cialis. Unlike antibiotics, which can cause resistance as a result of bacteria evolving to fight off medication, Cialis works to simply prevent the action of PDE-5. PDE-5 is the chemical responsible for causing the penis to go flaccid, and excess PDE-5 can cause ED. As PDE-5 is not a living organism, it is not able to evolve, in order to counteract the effects of tadalafil. For this reason, tadalafil will not lose its effectiveness over time, and it is not possible to build up tolerance.

What are the side effects of tadalafil?

Like any other medication, there are a number of potential side effects associated with taking Cialis. The more commonly reported side effects include:

• Headache
• Dyspepsia (a condition where proper digestion is impaired, resulting in upper abdominal discomfort)
• Blurred vision
• Muscle pain
• Nasal congestion 
• Indigestion
• Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
• Nosebleeds

Remember, tadalafil tablets will only work in the event that you’re sexually aroused: The treatment itself (or any other type of ED drugs) will not increase your libido. If you’re experiencing a loss of sex drive, consult a medical professional in order to determine whether your condition is being caused by an underlying health concern. If you have a history of heart disease or have experienced a heart attack, be sure to ask your doctor is Cialis is right for you.

Are there any long-term side effects of Cialis?

Cialis is not likely to have any long-term side effects, and therefore unlikely to cause any permanent damage. However, there have been rare instances where a very small number of people have reported hearing loss, visual disturbances, and priapism (an erection lasting for longer than 4 hours). These instances are rare, however, you should discuss any concerns with your GP or pharmacist beforehand. Obtaining Cialis from a reputable source will reduce the likelihood of long-term damage, as a doctor or pharmacist will assess your eligibility for treatment. This will reduce any potential complications and dangers associated with taking tadalafil.

FAQs:

Is taking tadalafil safe?

Studies show that taking tadalafil in doses of 5, 10 or 20mg as needed for 18 to 24 months are safe and well-tolerated. The results of a study, entitled Long-term safety and tolerability of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction support the usage of tadalafil in the clinical management of ED. 

By following the recommended dosage, most men can safely experience the erection-enhancing effects of tadalafil or its branded version of Cialis for improved sexual health.

Can Cialis cause permanent damage?

The chances of any permanent damage from Cialis are low. Prolonged or painful erections have been reported, but the instances of occurrence are low, and often attributed to exceeding the recommended dosage.

The most common side effects include dyspepsia and headache. Other side effects include facial flushing, stomach ache, nasal congestion and muscle cramps. Cialis is excreted by the body after a few days, with the effectiveness declining by the hour, so side effects should only last for a few hours, or a few days at most.
 

Does tadalafil raise blood pressure?

Tadalafil is highly unlikely to cause high blood pressure since it acts to relax the smooth muscles of the blood vessels in order to increase blood flow. This means that is has the opposite effect and can lower blood pressure slightly. However, it has been reported that an uncommon side effect of tadalafil is that it can cause high blood pressure. This has been reported in between 0.1%-1% of users, and it is not known if the increase in blood pressure was a result of anxiety from using treatment.

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.