Tadalafil: Uses and Potential Side Effects

April 20, 2021

4 mins

For nearly two decades, one of the most common and popular methods of treating erectile dysfunction has been the prescription medication Cialis®(tadalafil). The active ingredient tadalafil is also the generic and chemical name for this popular ED treatment.

Viagra®(sildenafil) paved the way for tadalafil and other generic ED medications. Tadalafil is one of the medications that can be used more often than Viagra in some cases.

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What is Tadalafil Used For? 

Tadalafil is a prescription medication primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can also be effective in treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia — a noncancerous growth in the prostate gland. Many generic forms of tadalafil are purchased as a more affordable version of the medication.

How Does Tadalafil Work?

You can take it as a single-use tablet, but healthcare providers do not recommend taking the medication daily. Tadalafil is a part of a class of medicines known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Other medications in this category include Viagra® (sildenafil), Levitra® (vardenafil), and Stendra® (avanafil).  

These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man to achieve and maintain an erection. Tadalafil can also be used to help relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as difficulty urinating, having a weak stream, and needing to urinate frequently or urgently.

PDE5 inhibitors work by relaxing smooth muscles in the prostate, bladder, and penis to increase blood and urine flow. PDE5 inhibitors help the body to reach full erections.

What is the Proper Dosage for Tadalafil? 

One of the largest reasons for the growing popularity of tadalafil is its versatility. Unlike other prescription medications for erectile dysfunction, tadalafil can be taken daily at a low dose.

Other PDE5 inhibitors are only prescribed to be taken within an hour or two of sexual activity. Tadalafil can also be consumed in 5, 10, and 15 mg doses. The available doses of tadalafil are 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. 

The dosage prescribed to you by a healthcare provider will vary depending on a few factors such as:

• Age

• Severity of symptoms

• Coexisting health conditions

• Frequency of treatment

A healthcare provider may start you on a lower dose and readjust over time. A history of issues with the liver or kidneys may result in starting with the lowest dose of tadalafil. 

In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend taking medication an hour before sexual activity. A dosage may be reduced to 5 mg or increased to 20 mg if the medication is not working as well as it should be. This process can take some trial and error, but a healthcare provider will understand this process and can facilitate easy changes.

To treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, the recommended dosage of tadalafil is 5 mg taken once a day. In some cases, finasteride (Proscar) may be prescribed with tadalafil.

How long does tadalafil stay in the body?

The maximum dosage of tadalafil is 20 mg in a single day. Be careful not to consume more than 20 mg in 24 hours. Tadalafil stays in the body for up to 36 hours. Taking too much can create some potential health issues. Taking too much tadalafil in a single day may result in severely decreased blood pressure.

Many men find tadalafil to be an attractive option for treating erectile dysfunction because its effects can last for 36 hours. Compared to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra®, with a window for intimacy of about 4 hours, tadalafil offers considerably more flexibility.

How long does daily tadalafil stay in the body?

Unlike other medications for erectile dysfunction, tadalafil can be used daily at a lower dose. In this case, the tadalafil dosage will typically start at 2.5 mg per day. If this isn’t enough to meet expectations, then the dosage may be increased to 5 mg, though this is the limit for once-daily use.

The benefit of once-daily low-dose tadalafil is that it allows for sporadic intimacy without any planning in the day or hours preceding. This also benefits men with an active sex life who anticipate intimacy more than 2 or 3 times weekly.

One of the recommendations is for tadalafil daily to be taken at roughly the same time each day. The effects of tadalafil will last between 24 and 36 hours, so anytime during that window it can be effective. Missing a daily dose of tadalafil is okay, but it’s important not to take two doses in one day. 

What Are the Side Effects of Tadalafil? 

Tadalafil can cause mild or serious side effects depending on a variety of risk factors and conditions. Side effects while taking the medication may be an indication of a more serious underlying medical condition. 

Mild side effects you may experience while taking tadalafil include:

• Headaches

• Heartburn

• Back pain

• Muscle pain

• Stuffy nose

• Pain in arms or legs

• Abdominal pain

• Indigestion 

• Nasal congestion

• Hearing loss

Typically these side effects go away within a few days or a couple of weeks, at most. However, if they become more severe or aren’t going away then it’s best to talk with a doctor or pharmacist about these side effects. While severe side effects are less likely to occur, be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience a possible allergic reaction.

Can you have an allergic reaction to tadalafil?

It’s possible to experience an allergic reaction after taking tadalafil. Some symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Skin rash

• Itchiness

• Flushing

• Swelling

• Trouble breathing

• Vision loss

Low blood pressure is one of the more common side effects for people taking tadalafil, but high blood pressure can also occur. Clinical trials monitored blood pressure in people who took 20 mg of tadalafil and people who took a placebo. They found that blood pressure for those taking tadalafil decreased by an average of 1.6/0.8 mm Hg more in the tadalafil group than the placebo group. 

Although rare, tadalafil can also increase blood pressure. This side effect was only reported in people who took tadalafil once a day. Only 1% to 3% of the people reported high blood pressure, and no placebo was given during the study.

Can tadalafil cause prolonged erections?

It’s possible to have an erection that lasts longer than four hours when taking tadalafil. This side effect is also known as priapism, and can cause permanent damage to the penis that could result in losing the ability to achieve erections at all. 

What Other Medications Interact with Tadalafil?

Tadalafil can interact negatively with other medications and even certain foods. Different interactions can cause varying effects. For example, some interactions may only impact the effectiveness of the drug, while others may increase the number of side effects or make them more severe. 

The following medications should not be taken when using tadalafil:

• Nitrates

• Alpha blockers

• Antihypertensive medications

• Calcium carbonate

• CYP3A4 inhibitors

• Rifadin (rifampin)

• Tegretol (carbamazepine)

• Dilantin (phenytoin)

• Guanylate cyclase stimulators

What Should You Avoid While Taking Tadalafil?

In addition to these medications, it’s best to avoid alcohol and grapefruit as well.  Alcohol and tadalafil can both decrease blood pressure, so drinking while taking tadalafil could create some serious issues. A drink or two is okay, but moderate to excessive drinking can be harmful. 

In addition, eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can block the enzyme CYP3A4 in the body. This enzyme breaks down tadalafil in your liver.

How Rex MD Can Help

Tadalafil is one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction. It’s considered as effective as any other PDE5 inhibitor and has similar side effects.

One of the biggest concerns about tadalafil can be price. Rex MD offers affordable generic options for ED medications like tadalafil and sildenafil.

Get started today with finding the medication that works best for you.