Tadalafil Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tadalafil Tablet (generic name tadalafil) is a prescription phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor taken by mouth, available under brand names like Cialis and Adcirca as well as in generic form. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), both conditions together, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. It works by blocking the PDE5 enzyme to relax muscles and improve blood flow, and it is available as an oral tablet or oral suspension.

What is Tadalafil Tablet

Tadalafil is a prescription medicine taken as a tablet by mouth. It is available under brand names like Cialis and Adcirca, as well as in generic form. It belongs to the drug class known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Tadalafil Tablet uses

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate
• Both ED and BPH together
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare and serious high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs

Benefits of Tadalafil Tablet

• Helps improve erections during sexual activity in men with ED
• Can improve urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (BPH), such as trouble urinating, weak stream, and frequent urges to urinate
• Can improve the ability to exercise in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension

How Tadalafil Tablet works

Tadalafil blocks an enzyme called PDE5. For ED, this helps relax muscles and increase blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal, allowing an erection. For BPH, it may relax muscles in the prostate and bladder to ease symptoms. For PAH, it relaxes blood vessels in the lungs to improve blood flow and exercise ability.

Tadalafil Tablet dosage

Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. If prescribed once daily, take it at about the same time every day. If taken as needed for ED, take it before you expect to have sexual activity, since some form of sexual stimulation is needed for it to work. Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period. Do not split or cut the tablet; swallow the whole dose. If taking a suspension form, shake the bottle well before measuring a dose.

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, but skip it if it's almost time for your next dose; never take two doses at once. For BPH combined with another BPH drug, your other medication may need to be stopped at least one day before starting tadalafil. Older adults may process the drug more slowly, so a lower dose may be used.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet
• Oral suspension

Side effects of Tadalafil Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Upset stomach or indigestion
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Flushing (warmth or redness of the face)
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Cough

Serious

• Priapism (a painful erection that won't go away)
• Vision changes, including a sudden decrease or loss of vision, or trouble telling blue from green
• Sudden loss or decrease in hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness
• Low blood pressure, causing lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Chest pain or symptoms of a heart attack
• Severe allergic reaction, including rash, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing or swallowing

Warnings and precautions

• Tadalafil is prescribed for men, so it's unlikely to be taken during pregnancy. There isn't enough research to know if it's safe for a human fetus, so it should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed and after talking with a doctor. For women taking tadalafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension, tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• It isn't known if tadalafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a breastfed child. Talk with your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
• If your kidneys aren't working well, the drug may stay in your body longer, raising your risk of side effects. Your doctor may lower your dose, have you take it less often, or avoid prescribing it depending on how severe your kidney problem is.
• If your liver isn't working well, your body may not process tadalafil correctly, so the drug could stay in your system longer and raise your risk of side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dose or avoid prescribing it.
• Don't drink large amounts of alcohol while taking tadalafil, since both alcohol and tadalafil widen blood vessels, and combining them can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, so be careful with driving or using machines until you know how it affects you.
• Your doctor won't prescribe tadalafil if you have a heart condition and have been told to avoid sexual activity, since sexual activity puts extra strain on the heart.
• Priapism is an erection that won't go away, and without treatment it could cause permanent damage, including the inability to get an erection.
• Never take tadalafil with nitrate medicines or with riociguat, since this combination can cause a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.
• Tadalafil can cause a severe allergic reaction with symptoms like rash, hives, or trouble breathing or swallowing, which needs urgent medical care.
• Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may raise tadalafil levels in your blood, increasing the risk of side effects.
• People with certain blood cell conditions or penis deformities may be at higher risk for prolonged, painful erections and should discuss this with their doctor before using tadalafil.
• Tadalafil does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C)
• Keep away from high temperatures
• Do not store in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms
• Keep out of reach of children
• Keep the medication in the container it came in, tightly closed
• Dispose of unneeded medication through a medicine take-back program; do not flush down the toilet
• When traveling, keep medication in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage, and don't leave it in a car in extreme temperatures

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, whether painful or not.
• Stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention right away if you have a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes.
• Stop taking the medicine and get prompt medical attention if you have a sudden decrease or loss of hearing, which may come with ringing in the ears or dizziness.
• Stop sexual activity and get medical help right away if you feel chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex.
• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
• If you think you've taken too much tadalafil, contact your doctor or your local poison control center right away; if symptoms are severe, seek emergency care immediately.

Alternatives

• Sildenafil
• Avanafil
• Mirodenafil