Tadalafil: Your Complete Guide to Uses, Dosage, and Safety

Tadalafil is a medicine you’ve probably not heard of until you are in the position to need it. Millions of men have turned to this medication for help with numerous health conditions. 

In this context, we will summarize what this medication is, what it does, and how to use it safely.

What Is Tadalafil? A Comprehensive Overview

Tadalafil belongs to a group of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 or PDE5 inhibitors. 

The use of Tadalafil was approved in the United States in 2003. This drug was initially developed by ICOS Corporation, and later, it was marketed by Eli Lilly and Company [1].

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) first approved Tadalafil in 2003. In its first year on the market, Tadalafil generated more than $200 million worldwide [2].

Tadalafil Formulation 

Tadalafil tablets contain tadalafil itself as the active salt along with the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose, hypromellose, iron oxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, talc, triacetin, and titanium dioxide. 

Popular Brand Names of Tadalafil Explained

Some of the popular brand names of Tadalafil, along with their manufacturers, are Tadacip (Cipla Limited), Zydalis (Zydus Cadila), Vidalista (Centurion Laboratories Private Limited), Tadalis (Ajanta Pharma Limited), Cialis (Eli Lilly), and Megalis (Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited). 

Vidalista is available at the following dosage strengths at Vedi Care Health: Vidalista Professional (sublingual tablet), Vidalista 20 mg (oral tablet), Vidalista 40 mg (oral tablet), and Vidalista 60 mg (oral tablet). 

Top Uses of Tadalafil: More Than Just ED Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves Tadalafil to treat the following conditions: 

Erectile Dysfunction

Tadalafil is an excellent option for treating erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is a condition tied to the sexual health of men, and it can significantly impact a person’s well-being. This condition is characterized by the inability to get and maintain an erection.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition that negatively impacts the lungs’ arteries. It is a type of high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries responsible for carrying oxygen-poor blood to the lungs from your heart. 

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common benign tumor found in men. A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland characterizes this condition. 

Working Mechanism Of Tadalafil

Tadalafil reduces the activity of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (an enzyme). This enzyme breaks down a molecule called cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), which relaxes the body’s muscles.

By reducing the activity of phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, Tadalafil elevates the level of cGMP in the penile area, leading to the relaxation of muscles in the abdomen, which is important for treating conditions like impotence or ED. This thus improves blood flow, resulting in a firmer erection. 

For benign prostatic hyperplasia, tadalafil works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder. This PDE5 inhibitor shows its effects on pulmonary arterial hypertension by opening the blood vessels that carry blood to the lungs from the heart, thus allowing easy blood flow. 

What Is The Onset Of Action Of Tadalafil? 

Tadalafil shows its effects within 30 minutes to an hour of intake. It is essential to keep in mind that ED pills such as Tadalafil make it easier for you to maintain an erection only when you’re sexually aroused. 

Tadalafil Dosage Information 

Tadalafil is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. The dosage of Tadalafil varies from condition to condition. 

• The usual Tadalafil dosage for erectile dysfunction is 10 mg, taken once daily.
• The dose of Tadalafil for benign prostate hyperplasia is 2.5 mg or 5 mg, taken once daily. But if you have both ED and BPH, the dose is 5 mg. 
• For pulmonary hypertension, the usual dose of Tadalafil is 40 mg—two 20 mg tablets, taken once a day. 

How To Take Tadalafil? Administration Guidelines 

• Take Tadalafil with a plain glass of water or juice. 
• Individuals can take this medicine on an empty stomach or with food. 
• Do not break or chew the pill.
• Individuals who are taking this ED pill for benign prostatic hyperplasia should make sure to take this medicine at the same time every day. 
• Take Tadalafil as recommended by your doctor. 

Check out the detailed guide by NHS on dosage information about the ED medication to understand how and when to take Tadalafil. 

What Do People Say? Real Tadalafil Reviews

On the website WebMD, Tadalafil has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 [3]. 

On the website drugs.com, Tadalafil has 754 reviews (81% positive and 11% negative) and has an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 [4]. 

Tadalafil Warnings And Precautions

To ensure effective and safe treatment with Tadalafil, consider the following precautions.

• Avoid food containing vitamin C, such as grapefruit, while taking Tadalafil. 
• Individuals below the age of 18 should avoid taking Tadalafil.
• The consumption of this medicine among females is not recommended.
• People with kidney dysfunction should avoid taking tadalafil or consult their doctor for dose adjustments. 
• Before taking Tadalafil, ensure you’re not allergic to its compositions.

Tadalafil Interactions 

Tadalafil tablets can interact with other medications, supplements, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. This interaction can lower the potency and efficacy of either of the medicines and increase the risk of experiencing side effects. 

Examples of drugs that have the potential to interact with Tadalafil are [5] – 

• Angina drugs (nitrates) such as butyl nitrite, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and amyl nitrite.
• Certain HIV drugs, such as ritonavir.
• Oral antifungal drugs, including ketoconazole and itraconazole. 
• High blood pressure medicines (alpha-blockers) include terazosin, prazosin, and alfuzosin. 
• Other erectile dysfunction medicines like vardenafil and sildenafil. 
• Epilepsy drugs such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin.
• Other pulmonary arterial hypertension drugs, like riociguat. 

Tadalafil Side Effects 

Tadalafil is usually well tolerated in most individuals, but it could lead to side effects if it is not as directed. 

According to the FDA, the common side effects of this medication include headaches, back pain, upset stomach, nasal congestion, muscle pain, limb pain, and flushing. 

Serious side effects of this medication include hearing loss, vision loss, and prolonged painful erection. 

Tadalafil Long-Term Side Effects 

There are no long-term side effects with the use of Tadalafil, and few studies have shown that the use of Tadalafil in the long term is well tolerated. 

If you’re curious to know more about the side effects of Tadalafil, you can check the independent pharmacy’s in-depth guide on the topic.

Safe Disposal And Storage Of Tadalafil Tablets 

• Keep Tadalafil away from damp or moist areas.
• Store the medication at room temperature.
• Do not expose Tadalafil tablets to direct light. 
• For proper disposal of Tadalafil, consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. 

Tadalafil Alternatives 

Just like Tadalafil, there are various other ED medications as well that are widely available in the market. These ED medications differ from each other in their duration of action and dosage strengths, but they all work in the same way as they belong to the same drug class (PDE5 inhibitors).

A popular alternative to Tadalafil is Sildenafil citrate, which the FDA approved for erectile dysfunction in 1998. 

We have a comparative blog on Sildenafil and Tadalafil, which can help you understand these two popular ED medications and help you choose the proper medication for you.  

Conclusion 

If you’re one of the many men in the US suffering from ED, medicines like Tadalafil can improve your condition.  But you must take this medicine safely with a doctor’s consultation for optimal results.