TADALAFIL - ORAL
Common Brand Name(s): Cialis
Phonetic Pronunciation: (tah-DA-la-fil)
Information last revised May 2010
What does TADALAFIL - ORAL look like?
Cialis 20 mg Tab
Cialis 10 mg Tab
Cialis 5 mg Tab
Cialis 2.5 mg Tab
Uses:
Tadalafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction) by blocking a certain enzyme (phosphodiesterase-PDE5) in the body. In combination with sexual stimulation, tadalafil helps blood flow into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. Use of this drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Practice "safe sex" such as using latex condoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Missed Dose
If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
Read the patient information leaflet provided by your pharmacist and ask questions if any of the information is unclear. Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor. There are two ways that this drug may be prescribed and taken for male sexual function problems. It may be taken as needed, or it may be taken once a day every day. Your doctor will determine which is the best way for you to take this drug. Follow your doctor's directions exactly. If used regularly every day, your doctor will prescribe a low dose (usually 2.5 to 5 milligrams per day). When this drug is taken only as needed, the dosing may need to be higher. Never take more of this drug than prescribed because you may experience serious side effects. Your doctor will adjust your dosage based on your response and other medications you may be taking (see also Drug Interactions section). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. When taken as needed, take this drug at least 30 minutes before sexual activity; or use as directed by your doctor. This medication's effect on sexual ability may last up to 36 hours. Therefore, do not take more than once daily as needed. When taken regularly every day, you may attempt sexual activity at any time between your doses. Do not take more than one dose each day. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Drug Interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. See also How To Use section for drug-food interactions. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide), nitroprusside (or any "nitric oxide donor" drugs), recreational drugs called "poppers" containing amyl or butyl nitrite. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting tadalafil. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alpha-blocker medication (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin), drugs that affect certain liver enzymes (CYP 3A4 substrates, inhibitors and inducers such as cimetidine, rifamycins, St. John's wort, or certain anti-seizure drugs), high blood pressure medicines, other medications for impotence. Do not take this medication with any other product that contains tadalafil or other similar medications used to treat erectile dysfunction/pulmonary hypertension (e.g., sildenafil, vardenafil). If you are also taking certain drugs (potent inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as fosamprenavir, amprenavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole), you must place special limits on your use of tadalafil to reduce the risk of severe dizziness. If you are taking tadalafil as needed, do not take more than one 10-milligram dose of tadalafil in a 72-hour period. If you are taking tadalafil once a day, do not take more than 2.5 milligrams a day. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug, or they may have a condition that is complicated by this drug.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Precautions
Before taking tadalafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: penis conditions (e.g., angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie's disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), sickle cell anemia, blood system cancers (e.g., leukemia or myeloma), eye problems (e.g., retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa), kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers, heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack or serious arrhythmia within past 6 months, heart failure, coronary artery disease with unstable angina, aortic stenosis, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis), recent stroke within past 6 months, very high or low blood pressure. This drug may make you dizzy or cause vision changes. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. This brand of the drug is not usually used in women. During pregnancy, tadalafil should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Headache, stomach upset, back pain, muscle pain, nasal stuffiness, flushing, pain in arms or legs, dizziness, or vision changes may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Rarely, a sudden loss of eyesight in one or both eyes (NAION) may occur. This may or may not be due to tadalafil. If this serious problem occurs, seek immediate medical attention. You have a slightly greater chance of developing this serious eye problem if you have heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain eye problems ("crowded disk"), high blood pressure, are over 50 years of age, or if you smoke. Sexual activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heart problems or experience any of the following serious side effects during sex, stop and seek immediate medical attention: severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain. For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. Rarely, tadalafil may cause sudden hearing problems, or ringing in the ears. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. Tadalafil is also available in another brand for treating high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension).