Tadalafil Side Effects: Everything You Need to Know
Tadalafil Side Effects: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re struggling to get or maintain an erection, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. While erectile dysfunction (ED) is particularly common in men over 40, it can affect men of any age.
While struggling to get an erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern, it can have a significant impact on your sex life and your relationships. So, you may be looking to find a treatment that works for you.
You’ve probably heard of Viagra (sildenafil), the most popular treatment for ED. But that’s not your only option. You could consider tadalafil tablets, which are the generic version of Cialis.
Read on below to find out the side effects of tadalafil, and whether it is safer than alternatives like sildenafil.
Three key takeaways
Tadalafil is a common medication used to treat ED, pulmonary hypertension and benign prostate enlargement.
Common side effects of tadalafil include headaches, indigestion, a stuffy nose and muscle aches.
You should go to A&E if you experience a sudden loss of vision, priapism (a prolonged or painful erection) a seizure or chest pain when taking tadalafil.
What is tadalafil used for?
Tadalafil is a type of medication called a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor. These are the most common forms of medication used to treat ED and are known for being extremely effective. At least two-thirds of men report having improved erections after taking one of these medicines.
Tadalafil is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs) and benign prostate enlargement (when your prostate is larger than it should be).
Tadalafil brand names
Tadalafil is sold under a few different brand names, including:
What are the most common side effects of tadalafil?
Taking tadalafil for ED is unlikely to cause side effects, as you usually only take a relatively small dose from time to time.
However, tadalafil used to treat pulmonary hypertension is more likely to cause side effects as it tends to be used at a higher dose and on a more regular basis.
Serious side effects are extremely rare, occurring in less than one in 1,000 people. However, you should go to A&E straight away if you have:
a sudden loss of vision or sudden problems with your hearing
priapism (a prolonged or painful erection)
a seizure or fit
chest pain
It is also possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to tadalafil. The symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
a swollen throat or tongue
having trouble breathing or breathing very fast
finding it difficult to swallow, feeling tight in your throat or having a hoarse voice
wheezing, coughing or loud breathing
feeling tired or confused
feeling faint, dizzy or falling unconscious
a weak or rapid pulse
nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
cold skin
blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue (if you have brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
You should call 999 (do not drive yourself) or go to A&E if you experience any of these symptoms.
Tadalafil vs sildenafil: which is safer?
"Both tadalafil and sildenafil are generally well tolerated and considered safe to use.
"Certain side effects, however, may be more common in one than the other. For example, sildenafil is more likely to cause flushing, while a stuffy nose is slightly more likely with tadalafil.
"To be on the safe side, always make sure to read the patient information leaflet before taking either medication."
When taking tadalafil for ED, the usual dose is 10mg, although this can be increased to 20mg by your prescriber if you need a stronger dose.
You should swallow one tadalafil tablet with water or juice (but not grapefruit juice) at least 30 minutes before you want to have sex. You should not take more than one tablet a day, when needed.
You can also take a daily dose of tadalafil, starting at 5mg a day
Tadalafil only works in combination with sexual arousal, so you will need to engage in foreplay for it to work properly.
A daily dose of tadalafil is available if you think you’ll be engaging in sexual activity at least twice a week. This dose starts at 5mg a day, before being reduced to 2.5mg a day depending on your response to the treatment.
Before taking tadalafil, you should enquire with a doctor or pharmacist if you:
have ever had an allergic reaction to tadalafil, or any other medicine
are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain (angina)
have a heart, liver or kidney condition
have recently had a stroke, heart attack or a heart problem
have low blood pressure (hypotension) or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare inherited eye disease
have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow)
have Peyronie's disease (curved penis)
have a stomach ulcer
What to do if you take too much tadalafil
Taking too much tadalafil can cause side effects like:
headache
dizziness
indigestion
stuffy nose
changes to your vision
If you take too much tadalafil, you should call 111 for advice.
FAQs
How to store tadalafil?
Tadalafil doesn’t require any specific storage arrangements. However, you should keep it out of the sight and reach of children.
Is tadalafil stronger than Viagra?
Tadalafil isn’t necessarily stronger than Viagra, but it does last longer in the body – up to 36 hours compared to 4–5 hours for sildenafil. For some people, this makes tadalafil the better option as it allows for more spontaneity. It also tends to work more quickly than Viagra.
Can Cialis cause a sore throat?
Yes, it is an uncommon side effect, but tadalafil (Cialis) can cause a dry or sore throat.
How can I avoid Cialis side effects?
To minimise your risk of experiencing the side effects of Cialis, you can try taking a lower dose and avoid taking Cialis every day. If you do experience side effects from taking Cialis and they are impacting your life, you should speak to your GP or a pharmacist.
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