Cialis is a drug of choice for about 70% of men dealing with poor erection. This preparation possesses unique properties allowing it to become a leader of the world’s rating of the most commonly applied ED medications. Being approved by the FDA for impotence treatment in 2003, this medication has long ago proven its excellent quality and ultimate efficiency. In 2011, Cialis was approved for clinical use in men dealing with prostate enlargement.
The active ingredient of Cialis tablets is called tadalafil. This is a preparation of the PDE5 inhibitors class of drugs. The beneficial effect of the medication on the male erectile function is achieved due to the relaxation of the smooth muscular tissue of the cavernous bodies of the penis and enhancement of the blood inflow to the penile area. Cialis inhibits the production of an enzyme called PDE5 thus helping to raise the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate – the chemical that takes part in the relaxation of the muscles and widening of the blood vessels.
The cGMP secretion is stimulated by nitric oxide, which is released by the endothelial cells under the impact of the physical stimulation of the male sex organs. Therefore, adequate sexual stimulation is an obligatory condition for Cialis to start working.
Cialis is a drug sold on prescription. Of course, it can be ordered over-the-counter online, yet the doctor’s consultation is still highly recommended. The general advice on Cialis administration says that the tablet should be taken approximately 1 hour before anticipated sexual intercourse. However, the time of the onset of the effect of the preparation varies in different men. It depends on the dose of the drug they take, the severity of their dysfunction, their response to the drug, and some other factors. Studies say that the minimum time needed for tadalafil to start working is 18 minutes, though in some individuals the erection may get firm enough for intercourse only after 2 hours.
Unlike other PDE 5 inhibitors, Cialis can be taken with or without food. A meal will influence neither the time the drug needs to come into effect nor its efficacy. The tablet should be taken whole and washed down with a glass of water.
One of the main reasons why Cialis is in such high demand is its duration of action. A man will be able to achieve a firm erection for up to 36 hours after taking a single dose of the medication.
This preparation is often recommended to men having certain precautions for other PDE 5 inhibitors intake at it is available not only in high but in low dosage strengths as well. Men choosing Cialis for the therapy of erectile dysfunction may be offered two schemes of taking the drug.
The first one is common for all ED drugs. It’s the on-demand intake of the medication. For this purpose, either 10 mg or 20 mg dosages are commonly used. This way of treatment is more preferable for men who don’t have a regular sex partner or those who prefer spontaneous sexual intercourse. The only drawback of on-demand Cialis intake is that the risks for experiencing side effects of the drug are higher.
The other option that may be offered by a doctor is taking Cialis daily. This way of treatment is also recommended to men suffering from benign prostate enlargement. For everyday intake, 2.5 mg or 5 mg dosage strengths are advised. The pills can be administered without regard to sexual activity. This method of Cialis intake is best for:
men suffering from some comorbidities;
those experiencing unwanted effects from the high doses of the drug;
individuals aged 65 and older;
men with BPH.
The only drawback of such Cialis therapy is the need to take tablets daily.
Cialis is usually well-tolerated. Still, certain categories of patients are at a much higher risk of developing severe adverse effects because of the comorbid health conditions they suffer. If such men need to take Cialis, this should be done with caution and only if their doctor decides that the benefits prevail on the risks. Here are the diseases that demand special attention when on Cialis:
elevated blood pressure;
heart disease;
liver disorders;
kidney impairment;
blood disease.
Caution is required when driving a car or operating machinery as Cialis may worsen the quality of your vision or make you dizzy. It’s better to avoid activities demanding alertness until you know your body’s reaction to the effects of the drug.
Sometimes combinations of Cialis with other medications may lead to exacerbation and an increase in the frequency of certain side effects. Some interactions may influence the efficacy of the ED drug or the medication it interacts with. For this reason, it’s crucial to consult a doctor, giving him/her a list of all the preparations you take so that a specialist can titrate the doses of some of them or substitute them with safer medicines.
Patients on Cialis should better avoid taking such preparations:
nitric oxide donors, including recreational drugs called ‘poppers’;
riociguat;
antihypertensive drugs;
alpha-blockers;
HIV protease inhibitors;
‘azole’ antifungals;
CYP3A4 inhibitors;
rifampin.
Alcohol is not recommended together with Cialis as it may slow down the body’s reaction to the drug and exacerbate the blood-pressure-lowering effect of the medication. Drugs can impair your reaction to the preparation as well, which means they are also not advised.
Tadalafil may cause more side effects if administered with grapefruit juice or grapefruit. Don’t use these food products until the effect of the drug is over.
Because of the strong impact of Cialis on the cardiovascular system, some men are not advised to take this medication regardless of how severe their erectile dysfunction is. Let’s have a look at the list of the diseases that make the use of tadalafil-containing drugs contraindicated:
heart attack within the past 3 months;
a stroke within the past 6 months;
uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension;
heart rhythm disorders;
unstable angina;
priapism in medical history;
NAION;
retinitis pigmentosa;
cancer;
active gastric ulcer;
penile scarring and deformities, including Peyronie’s disease;
severe renal or hepatic disease.
You should never take Cialis is you are hypersensitive to tadalafil or any other component of the tablet. This preparation is not intended for men who don’t have difficulties with achieving and maintaining an erection. Cialis cannot help to increase the duration of sexual intercourse or stimulate libido. The preparation is contraindicated in men under 18 and women.
All medications possess some risks for side effects. Cialis causes light-to-moderate adverse reactions in approximately 25% of its users. The unwanted symptoms appearing most often are:
headache;
back pain;
dyspepsia;
nasal congestion;
flushing of the chest, neck, and face;
muscle pain;
dizziness.
The duration of these reactions is similar to the duration of the effects of Cialis. The unwanted reactions usually disappear soon after the drug is withdrawn from the body. In rare cases, they may persist or get worse, which should make you consult a doctor or visit the nearest clinic.
Though extremely rare (less than 2% of cases), Cialis may trigger some severe adverse effects. They are:
heart attack symptoms (chest pain radiating to the arm, back, and jaw);
prolonged erection or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours;
sudden vision loss (either partial or complete);
tinnitus, hearing loss (either temporary or permanent);
severe hypotension.
Any of these reactions should make you seek medical help promptly as they may be not only dangerous to your health but also life-threatening. For example, if not treated, a prolonged erection may lead to permanent penile tissue damage and, consequently, complete impotence.
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