Did you know that 19% of Canadians admit to rarely, if ever, having sex with their partner? That’s two in every ten people.
This could be for various reasons, but at least one of those is most likely due to erectile dysfunction (ED). Thankfully, ED is treatable, and, with the proper treatment program, sex can once again be on the menu in your relationship.
But what should you know about Cialis before committing to it? Keep reading as we examine Cialis drug interactions, side effects, etc.
Table of contents
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is a part of a class of drugs named Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitors and is among the many medications used to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in adult men. It is only legally available via a prescription from a qualified medical health practitioner and can be used individually or with other medications.
Read more: How Long Should I Wait For Cialis To Work? An Easy Guide To Know How Cialis Works
Cialis, or tadalafil, is available in tablet form, which is indicated to be administered orally. They’re almond in shape and come in strengths of 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 mg.
Each tablet contains tadalafil as well as the following inactive ingredients:
- Sodium lauryl sulphate
- Triacetin
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Hypromellose
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Lactose monohydrate
- Iron oxide
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose
- Talc
- Magnesium stearate
- Titanium dioxide
Cialis tablets should never be split and should only be consumed whole. It can be prescribed in two ways: once daily or “use as needed.”
If prescribed as “one a day,” the starting dose typically starts at 2.5mg. The medication is then taken simultaneously every day, regardless of sexual activity. This dose can be further increased to 5 mg daily, but this will depend on the patient and how they react to the drug.
Read more: How To Use Cialis (Tadalafil): What, Why, And How
If prescribed as “use as needed,” the starting dose typically begins at 10 mg. The patient will ingest the tablet just before sexual activity is expected to start. Depending on how the patient reacts to the dose, it could be further decreased to 5 mg or increased to a maximum strength of 20 mg.
For optimal use, it’s recommended to use within 24 hours, but its effects can last up to 36 hours. There is no indication that it needs to be taken with food.
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What Cialis Drug Interactions Should I Watch Out for?
Cialis interactions can occur with several medications or classes of drugs. If you’re taking any of the following, discuss this with your doctor before taking Cialis:
Alpha-Blockers
Using Cialis while taking alpha-blockers can have serious side effects like perilously low blood pressure. Examples of alpha-blockers are medications such as doxazosin and tamsulosin.
Nitrates
Nitroglycerin-based medication, or nitrates, can cause a severe reaction or even be fatal when used with Cialis. This includes other medicines used to treat chest pain and angina.
Antibiotics
Certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and telithromycin, can elevate Cialis levels in the blood. This leads to unintended and sometimes dangerous side effects such as low blood pressure or priapism (prolonged erections). Conversely, Rifampin and other antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of Cialis by decreasing its blood concentration.
Read more: 8 Saw Palmetto Benefits for Men
Riociguat
Riociguat and other guanylate cyclase stimulators can cause dangerously low blood pressure when taken with Cialis.
Other ED Medication
Combining Cialis with Viagra or Levitra (vardenafil) or their generics may increase the risk of side effects.
HIV Medication
Cialis levels in the blood may be increased by HIV medications and protease inhibitors, resulting in unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects, including priapism.
Read more: Flomax vs. Viagra: Are Tamsulosin & Sildenafil the Same Thing?
Oral Antifungals
Some antifungals like ketoconazole and itraconazole may raise Cialis levels in your blood.
St. John’s Wort
The level of Cialis in your bloodstream may be altered by some herbal or over-the-counter remedies, causing severe side effects. Therefore, disclosing any dietary supplements you’re taking to your doctor is recommended.
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If something you’re taking is not on this list, always disclose any medications and supplements you may be taking to your medical health professional. While some side effects may not be serious, the risk of a fatal reaction is still prevalent.
Is There an Interaction Between Cialis and Alcohol?
Alcohol can have a significant effect on many medications, and Cialis is no different. Cialis interaction with alcohol can cause the following effects:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dilated blood vessels
- Increase heart rate
- Low blood pressure
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should discuss your alcohol consumption with your prescribing doctor.
Read more: Tribulus Benefits for Men
What About Cialis Food Interactions?
It’s important to note that ingesting grapefruit fruit or juice can also increase the Cialis levels in your blood. This can result in a greater risk of side effects, so monitor your intake or cut out grapefruit from your diet altogether.
Any Side Effects That Should Concern You?
Every drug has the potential for side effects, as every patient will react differently to the same medication. Common and less severe side effects of Cialis include:
- headache
- nausea
- hot flashes (warmth or tingly feelings)
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle pain (incl back pain)
- upset stomach
- pain in your appendages
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However, there are more severe side effects one needs to look out for. If you’re presenting one or more of the following symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately:
- chest pain
- pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder
- sweating
- nausea
- vision abnormalities
- sudden blindness
- ringing in your ears
- sudden deafness
- an erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours
Cialis is only intended for adults, and its safety and effectiveness in children are unknown. Cialis is also not designed for use in women.
Key Takeaways
Erectile dysfunction is something many men suffer from, considering the statistic at the beginning: 2 in every ten people. Medical practitioners are very accustomed to patients coming in presenting all kinds of medical symptoms, so it’s best to take a deep breath and be open and honest about your situation to get the ideal treatment for you.
