What is Cialis?
Cialis (tadalafil) relaxes muscles of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy(enlarged prostate).
Another brand of tadalafil is Adcirca, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women. Do not take Cialis while also taking Adcirca, unless your doctor tells you to
What should I avoid while taking Cialis?
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with tadalafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking this medicine.
What other drugs will affect Cialis?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
- medicines to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension;
- an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
- antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS;
- drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder; or
- seizure medicine.
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 interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Cialis is the brand name of tadalafil, a prescription drug for men used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Tadalafil is also prescribed under the name Adcirca for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Additionally, it has been approved to treat signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlargement of the prostate.
Cialis was originally developed as a heart medicine by Glaxo Wellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline) in 1991, when another drug company Pfizer discovered that a similar enzyme inhibitor, sildenafil, caused erections in men taking part in a study.
The Lilly ICOS company tested Cialis as an ED medicine, and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ED in 2003.
Cialis was approved by the FDA in 2009 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Cialis vs. Viagra
Cialis helps to increase blood flow to the penis, enabling a man to hold an erection for a longer duration.
While similar to its competitors, sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra), Cialis is known as 'the weekend pill' because its effects last for up to 36 hours.
Cialis Warnings
Cialis should not be taken more than once every 24 hours.
A man needs to be sexually aroused for the medication to work. It does not provide an instant erection without stimulation.
Men who use Cialis should be healthy enough to have sex, not take nitrates for chest pain (angina), and consult a physician if an erection lasts more than four hours or is painful.
