Cialis is a popular drug for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s also sometimes used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs).
Here are nine things you should know about Cialis:
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Cialis is the brand name for the drug tadalafil.
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Cialis is a prescription drug that’s available in tablet form.
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Cialis is taken as needed, typically before sexual activity.
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Cialis may be taken with or without food.
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Cialis should not be taken more than once per day.
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Cialis may be taken with or without food.
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Cialis should not be taken more than once every 24 hours.
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Cialis may be taken with or without food.
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Cialis should not be taken more than once every 72 hours.
Cialis is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It is part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) that also includes sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra).
Cialis is available in tablets of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 milligrams (mg). The recommended starting dose of Cialis for use as needed in most patients is 10 mg, taken prior to anticipated sexual activity. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg. The recommended starting dose for once daily use is 2.5 mg, taken at approximately the same time each day, without regard to timing of sexual activity.
Cialis can be taken with or without food. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Cialis.
Cialis is not recommended for use in children.
The safety and effectiveness of Cialis for women have not been established.
Cialis is not for use in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cialis is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether tadalafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Cialis should not be used by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Do not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”. Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with Cialis. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin
certain medicines used for seizures such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital
certain medicines for heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia) such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, and sotalol
certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) such as sildenafil (Revatio)
certain medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and others
rifampin
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tadalafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
any other erectile dysfunction medicines
riociguat (Adempas)
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
medicines to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder
an antibiotic - clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin
antifungal medicine - ketoconazole or itraconazole
medicines used to or treat HIV/AIDS - atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, and others
other medicines or treatments for erectile dysfunction
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Cialis, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Take Cialis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
For use as needed: Take Cialis at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours, before sexual activity (1 hour before is the most effective).
For daily use: Take Cialis regularly at about the same time each day.
The first time you take Cialis, it may take a little longer to work if you take it with a heavy meal.
Cialis can be taken with or without food.
Do not break or split a tablet. Swallow it whole.
For erectile dysfunction, take Cialis just before sexual activity but not more than once per day.
Cialis can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.
Do not take Cialis more than once per day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
Stop using Cialis and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Cialis if you are allergic to tadalafil.
You should not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”. Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Do not take Cialis if you are also using riociguat (Adempas), or if you are taking a nitrate medicine for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”.
To make sure Cialis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease or heart rhythm problems
a heart attack or stroke
angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure
pulmonary hypertension (unless you are also taking tadalafil for this)
liver or kidney disease
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
a stomach ulcer
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye)
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease)
If you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Do not take this medicine if you are also taking riociguat (Adempas).
Taking tadalafil with certain other medicines can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Your doctor may need to change your dose of your other medications.
Do not take this medicine if you are also using a nitrate medicine for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”. Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
To make sure Cialis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease or heart rhythm problems
a heart attack or stroke
angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure
pulmonary hypertension (unless you are also taking tadalafil for this)
liver or kidney disease
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
a stomach ulcer
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye)
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease)
If you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Do not take this medicine if you are also taking riociguat (Adempas).
It is not known whether tadalafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Cialis is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Cialis?
Take Cialis exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
For use as needed: Take Cialis at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours, before sexual activity (1 hour before is the most effective).
For daily use: Take Cialis regularly at about the same time each day.
The first time you take Cialis, it may take a little longer to work if you take it with a heavy meal.
Cialis can be taken with or without food.
Do not break or split a tablet. Swallow it whole.
For erectile dysfunction, take Cialis just before sexual activity but not more than once per day.
Cialis can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.
Do not take Cialis more than once per day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses.
Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
Stop using Cialis and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Cialis if you are allergic to tadalafil.
You should not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”. Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Do not take Cialis if you are also using riociguat (Adempas), or if you are taking a nitrate medicine for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”.
To make sure Cialis is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart disease or heart rhythm problems
a heart attack or stroke
angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure
pulmonary hypertension (unless you are also taking tadalafil for this)
liver or kidney disease
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
a stomach ulcer
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye)
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease)
If you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Do not take this medicine if you are also taking riociguat (Adempas).
Taking tadalafil with certain other medicines can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.
Your doctor may need to change your dose of your other medications.
Do not take this medicine if you are also using a nitrate medicine for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as “poppers”. Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.