What Is Tadalafil Used For?
Tadalafil is a medication you’ve probably never heard of — until you find yourself in the position to need it. To be fair, most people are more acquainted with its brand-name offering, Cialis®.
Believe it or not, millions of men the world over have turned to Cialis for help with numerous health conditions.
Maybe you’re looking up tadalafil facts or need guidance for managing erectile dysfunction (ED). We’ll cover all the basics here, but know the instructions and safety protocols for using it are going to be the same as with Cialis.
Below, we’ll summarize how this medication can be used, what it does and what schedule to follow to use it safely. (Hint: It changes situationally). We’ll also go over potential health risks and what could happen if tadalafil isn’t used correctly — or under the care of a healthcare professional.
What Is Tadalafil Used for?
Tadalafil belongs to a category of prescription medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
This particular version was approved in 2003 by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). But the PDE5-inhibiting medications have been around since 1998, following the introduction of sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®).
PDE5 inhibitors block the PDE5 enzyme from constricting blood vessels. This makes for healthier blood flow in multiple circulatory scenarios, which we’ll look at in more detail.
Tadalafil can help with high blood pressure (hypertension), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction.
Tadalafil for Erectile Dysfunction
Arguably, the most famous use case for tadalafil is for the management of ED.
Since PDE5 inhibitors help relax the smooth muscle cells of the penis, they can encourage more blood to flow to the penis. This makes erections possible for guys who struggle to get or maintain an erection without treatment for erectile dysfunction.
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Tadalafil for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Tadalafil can be sold under several names, which is why we have to get into a quick digression about Adcirca® versus Cialis medications. While both use the same active ingredient (tadalafil), Adcirca’s dosage is much higher, as it’s formulated not for ED but for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BPH is a complicated term for an enlarged prostate — a condition common among aging men. Untreated benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms could lead to bladder or kidney problems down the road.
BPH may result in urination problems, including:
Feeling like your bladder is always full
Weak flow of urine
Straining while peeing
Difficulty emptying your bladder
Urgent urination
Research indicates that tadalafil can improve the quality of life and symptoms of BPH for men with erectile dysfunction.
How to Use Tadalafil
Tadalafil dosage and dosing frequency depend on how and why you’re using the medication.
For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you can take a dose of tadalafil once daily or as needed. When the medication is in your system, it can help you achieve an erection after being exposed to some form of sexual stimulation (whether it’s foreplay with a partner, porn or tantalizing thoughts).
Tadalafil is effective for up to 36 hours and stays in the body longer than other ED medications. That’s why you can take it daily rather than trying to time it an hour before having sex. For someone with a regular or frequent sex life, this can make things a lot easier.
On the other hand, as-needed tadalafil can be much more affordable simply because you’re buying fewer pills. Even if your dosage is increased or decreased from the starting dose of 10 milligrams (mg), you’ll still pay less over time with irregular use.
When taken once daily, tadalafil is only prescribed at a starting dose of 2.5 mg, though it may be increased to 5 mg, depending on your response to the drug.
For the treatment of BPH, daily tadalafil is taken in 5 mg dosages.
Regardless of what you’re treating, tadalafil should be taken around the same time each day — unless, of course, it’s being used as needed.
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The most commonly prescribed ED treatment, contains the same active ingredient as Viagra® but is 80% more affordable than the brand name.
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A clinically proven treatment for erectile dysfunction that helps men achieve and maintain erections more easily. It gives you the freedom to enjoy spontaneous sex without needing to plan ahead.
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The unbranded, more affordable generic form of Cialis® taken as needed. It is clinically proven to help men get and keep harder erections for up to 36 hours.
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The over-the-counter branded version of sildenafil. Viagra Connect® improves blood flow to the penis, helping you achieve and maintain strong and satisfying erections.
Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
Tadalafil Side Effects
If your sexual activity or prostate health is in question, tadalafil could be an essential solution to the management of those problems.
But even though this medication is considered safe and effective, it’s crucial to know about the potential drug interactions, side effects and medical conditions tadalafil could interfere with.
With every prescription drug, there’s a risk of side effects. According to the FDA, common side effects of tadalafil include:
Headache
Fatigue
Back pain
Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
Limb pain (in the arms or legs)
Flushing
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Muscle pain
Serious side effects require medical attention. These include dizziness, fainting, heart attack, hearing loss, chest pain (angina), prolonged erection (priapism), vision loss and heart failure.
Allergic reactions are rare, but they can happen with any medication. Additionally, tadalafil sometimes reacts poorly when combined with alcohol, certain over-the-counter supplements, nitrites, nitrates (like nitroglycerin or amyl nitrate), alpha blockers and antihypertensives.
There’s a risk of tadalafil interactions with other meds, too. So definitely tell your provider about any medications you’re taking, especially:
Erythromycin
Ketoconazole
Vardenafil
Clarithromycin
Doxazosin
Itraconazole
Ritonavir
Rifampin
Riociguat
Tamsulosin
Isosorbide mononitrate
Isosorbide dinitrate
Your healthcare provider also needs to know if you’re being treated for or have conditions like:
Liver disease
Kidney disease
Sickle cell anemia
Leukemia
Bleeding disorders
Heart disease and heart problems like angina or pulmonary arterial hypertension
Peyronie’s disease
Ulcers
Retinitis pigmentosa (eye disease affecting the retina)
Oh, and drinking grapefruit juice or breastfeeding while on this medication can also be dangerous — so don’t do it.
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The Bottom Line on Tadalafil Uses
Whether you’re on your way to pick up a tadalafil prescription or doing some Google searches ahead of a very scary urology appointment, you can rest easy. The medication is safe, ED is common, and this treatment path is effective for many men.
Here are the key takeaways from what we’ve discussed:
Tadalafil (generic Cialis) is a PDE5 inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of two conditions: erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
It’s considered one of the safest erectile dysfunction medications on the market today.
Tadalafil can be prescribed at varying doses depending on your needs, your response to the medication and the side effects you experience.
There are other options. Medications like vardenafil (Levitra®), sildenafil (and brand-name Viagra) and avanafil (Stendra®) can also treat ED. These meds can even be taken in discrete forms, like our chewable hard mints.
For more on how long tadalafil lasts, the risks and rewards of daily Cialis, tadalafil dosage and its potential side effects, check out our guides.
Still have questions? Connect with a healthcare provider on our telehealth platform to see if this medication might be a good treatment option for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.