What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is when a man has difficulty getting or keeping an erection long enough for sex. It is also known as ED or impotence. It happens when not enough blood flows to the penis, preventing an erection.
Currently, ED effects about 30 million men in the United States. Some guys with ED find it difficult to either get or keep an erection every time they try to have sex. For other guys, ED symptoms can happen just occasionally. Either way, you should know that you are not alone, it’s a real medical condition. About 50% of men over the age of 40 have some degree of ED. As a real medical condition, it should be addressed like one.
When talking to your healthcare provider, inform them of all medications and supplements you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Cialis® may affect the way other medicines work and in the same way other medicines may affect the way Cialis® works, causing side effects. Have the discussion with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough for sex. If you are experiencing chest pain, nausea, or dizziness during sex, seek medical attention immediately.
What can cause erectile dysfunction?
ED is often caused by something physical, such as an injury, disease, or side effects from other drugs. Some medical conditions that can cause ED include:
- Depression
- Prostate cancer treatment
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Spinal cord injury
For other men, ED is a side effect of some medications that are used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and/or depression.
Some psychological and lifestyle factors can play a role in causing ED. Stress, smoking, and drinking may lead to conditions that affect blood circulation and in turn may cause ED. There are things you can do each day to improve your circulation and avoid some conditions that can lead to ED:
- Find ways to stay more active
- Help manage your weight by eating healthy and watching portion sizes
- Quit smoking
- Drink less alcohol
- Look for ways to reduce stress in your daily life
How does Cialis® work?
Cialis® is the brand name for tadalafil, a drug used for erectile dysfunction. Cialis® increases blood flow to the penis enabling a man to achieve an erection. It does not lead to sexual arousal. Cialis® should be taken with caution and only under medical supervision.
Penile erection occurs when the penis fills with blood. This happens when the blood vessels that bring blood flow to the penis dilate, increasing the blood supply. At the same time, the blood vessels that remove blood from the penis contract. Thus, blood accumulates in the penis causing an erection.
When a man is sexually stimulated, nitric oxide (NO) is released into the penis. NO enables the production of cGMP, which in turns controls the contraction and dilation of the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the penis. Another substance, PDE5, destroys cGMP allowing the blood vessels to return to their normal size and the erection ends. Cialis® stops PDE5 from destroying cGMP and allowing the erection to last longer.
What are the doses of Cialis®?
Patients with erectile dysfunction can take Cialis® as needed. Cialis® comes in a yellow, film-coated and almond shaped tablet in either 5, 10, and 20 milligram (mg). The medication can only work if a male is sexually aroused. The drug will not create an erection without sexual stimulation.
The patient should not take more than one dose in 24 hours. This is partly because the drug remains in the system for at least 24 hours. Patients who expect to be sexually active two or more times a week can take a daily dose of 5 mg. Talk with your medical provider to discuss what dose would work best for you and your needs.
What are the common side effects of Cialis®?
- Headache
- Nausea, upset stomach
- Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)
- Stuffy nose
- Muscle pain, back pain, or pain in your arms or legs
What are the major side effects of Cialis®?
Seek emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Cialis®: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop and immediately seek medical help if you have nausea, chest pain, or dizziness during sex. You could have a life-threatening side effect
Stop using this medication and call your doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
- Vision changes or sudden vision loss
- Ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss
- An erection is painful
- An erection lasting longer than 4 hours
- Heart attack symptoms – chest pressure or pain, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sweating, nausea
Who should not take Cialis®?
Males with the following conditions should not take Cialis® unless they get approval from their physician:
- High or low blood pressure
- Any kind of heart disease
- Congestive heart failure or stroke within the last 6 months
- Myocardial infarction within the last 3 months
- Liver or kidney disease
- Stomach ulcer
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Heart rhythm problems or angina
- Sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, hemophilia, leukemia, or another blood disorder
- Structural deformity of the penis
- Any health condition for which they have been advised to not have sexual intercourse
What other drugs will affect Cialis®?
It is important to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you start or stop taking. Especially:
- An antibiotic or antifungal medicine
- Drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder
- Seizure medicine
- Medicines to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS
Cialis® should not be taken with a nitrate medication as this can cause a serious and sudden drop in blood pressure or hypotension. If you are taking a nitrate drug prescription for heart problems or chest pain, you should not use Cialis®.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cialis®
What are the ingredients contained in Cialis® and how do they work?
Cialis® is the brand name for tadalafil and belong to a class of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors only work in the presence of sexual stimulation because they rely on the natural release of nitric oxide (NO). NO is only released during sexual arousal and in turns activates other substances to relax the smooth muscle inside the penis to allow the inflow of blood and an erection to occur. PDE5 inhibitors enhance the effect of NO.
How quickly does Cialis® work?
Cialis® generally begins to work within 16 – 45 minutes.
Does food effect how quickly Cialis® work or last?
Cialis® and its activity are not affected by food.
What is the effectiveness of Viagra® vs Cialis®?
Effectiveness of all PDE5 inhibitors is similar; although from reports, Viagra®, at 84% is slightly higher than that of Cialis® at 81%. However, men currently prefer Cialis® because of its longer duration of effect.
