Cialis overview
Cialis is a drug that is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (or ED) in men. With tadalafil as its active ingredient, it is part of a type of medicines called PDE5 ( or phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitors. It is also used to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate (medically called prostatic hypertrophy).
Cialis was first formulated by Glaxo Welcome Company in 1991 to help in treating heart complications. This was after Pfizer, another well-known drug manufacturing company, found out that sildenafil, an enzyme inhibitor that works like Cialis, caused men who were participating in a study to have erections. Lilly ICOS also a drug company would later test Cialis as a drug for treating erectile dysfunction. In 2003, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved Cialis as a medicine for the treatment of ED. In 2009, the FDA also approved Cialis for the management of pulmonary hypertension.
How it works
After sexual stimulation, tadalafil causes nitric oxide to be released. This in turn results in the dilation of blood vessels, which boosts blood flow to the sexual organs. This enables a man to attain and sustain an erection during sex.
Precautions
Patients who are allergic to tadalafil should not use Cialis. Also, if one is using other ED medicines such as Viagra or Kamagra, they should not take Cialis. Other patients who should abstain from using the medication include those who have heart problems, liver disorders, or vision problems as a result of taking Cialis. Anyone who is using nitrates medicines for conditions such as angina or those using nitrates for recreational purposes such as users of poppers(alkyl nitrites) may are also not permitted to use the drug. Other people who should not use Cialis include women and people below 18 years. Senior citizens over 75 years of age should be extra cautious or only use it under strict doctor supervision.
How to take it
The drug is normally available in 10 or 20 milligram tablets. There is also Cialis for daily use, which comes in 2.5 and 5 milligrams tablets. The normal daily maximum recommended dose is 20 milligrams, but those people with kidney problems are advised to start with the 10-milligram tablet. The drug should be taken before the start of sexual activity. It can also be taken together with food. Alcohol and grapefruit products can interact with the drug and result in unwanted side-effects. Research indicates that after sexual stimulation, the medicine begins to work in only 15 minutes, and the effects can last up to 36 hours. If a patient is using the drug daily and they miss a dose, they should not make up for this with an extra dose.
Side effects
Common and moderate side effects include headaches, stomach upsets, mild aching of muscles, flushes and nasal congestion. Severe side effects include impairment of vision, chest pains and irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, breathlessness and sudden loss of hearing. Users of Cialis are advised to consult a doctor if they get an erection lasting for over four hours. Patients who are using antibiotics, antiviral or anti-fungal drugs or medicines to treat seizures should talk to their doctors before taking Cialis.
Storage
Cialis should be stored away from children in a cool and dry area in temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius.
Hello, welcome. I am Peter Doherty, Australian physician from Melbourne. My goal is to provide you important information about Viagra and its substitutes.