1. What is Tadalafil used for?
Tadalafil (Cialis) is used for the treatment of men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or erectile dysfunction (ED), or both conditions. Tadalafil (Adcirca) is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
With BPH, the prostate gland is enlarged but is not cancerous. It can pinch or squeeze your urethra (the tube that carries urine from the kidneys out of the body). Symptoms of BPH include trouble urinating, painful urination, and a frequent or urgent need to urinate.
With ED, the penis does not fill up with enough blood to harden and expand when a man is excited. ED can also prevent a man from keeping an erection.
PAH is a rare but serious form of high blood pressure. It occurs in the pulmonary arteries, which are blood vessels in your lungs.
2. How does Tadalafil work?
Tadalafil belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Tadalafil may help relax the muscle in your prostate and bladder. This could help improve your BPH symptoms.
To improve ED symptoms, tadalafil helps increase blood flow to the penis. This can help you get and keep an erection. For tadalafil to help you have an erection, you need to be aroused.
For PAH, tadalafil works to improve your ability to exercise by relaxing blood vessels in your lungs. This increases blood flow.
3. What’s the difference between Tadalafil and Sildenafil?
Tadalafil and Sildenafil are marketed as Revatio and Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Tadalafil and Sildenafil received approval for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Tadalafil also comes as Cialis which is approved to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. The use of Sildenafil and Tadalafil are contraindicated in patients who are using any form of organic nitrate, either regularly or intermittently.
And Tadalafil (generic Cialis) has an advantage over Sildenafil in that it lasts a lot longer – up to 36 hours (compared with 4-5 hours for Sildenafil). Some men prefer this as it allows for more spontaneity.
4. Who should and should not take Tadalafil?
Tadalafil can only be taken by adults aged 18 and over.
But do not take tadalafil if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to tadalafil or any other medicines in the past
- are taking medicines called nitrates for chest pain
- have a serious heart and liver problem
- have recently had a stroke or a heart attack
- have low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- have ever lost your vision due to reduced blood flow to the eye
Check with your doctor before taking tadalafil if you:
- have sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia (cancer of blood cells) or multiple myeloma (cancer of bone marrow)
- have Peyronie’s disease (curved penis) or a similar problem with your penis
- have liver or kidneys problems
- have a heart problem – your doctor will advise you whether your heart can take the additional strain of having sex
5. How and when to use Tadalafil?
1) When to use Tadalafil?
Usually, take tadalafil before having sex. Take it at least 30 minutes before you want to have sex.
2) How to use Tadalafil
The Tadalafil dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
- To treat the symptoms of BPH,
Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. If you are also taking finasteride with this medication to treat symptoms of BPH, talk with your doctor about how long you should continue taking this medication.
- To treat erectile dysfunction-ED,
there are 2 ways that tadalafil may be prescribed. Your doctor will determine which is the best way for you to take tadalafil. Follow your doctor’s directions exactly since your dosage depends on how you are taking it. The first way is to take it as needed, usually at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. Tadalafil’s effect on sexual ability may last up to 36 hours.
The second way to treat ED is to take tadalafil regularly, once a day every day. If you take it this way, you may attempt sexual activity at any time between your doses.
If you are taking tadalafil to treat both ED and BPH, take it as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. You may attempt sexual activity at any time between your doses.
If you are taking tadalafil once daily for BPH, for ED, or for both, take it regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Reference
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2. Ervin, Keith (June 21, 1998). “Deep Pockets + Intense Research + Total Control = The Formula — Bothell Biotech Icos Keeps The Pipeline Full Of Promise”. The Seattle Times. p. F1. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
3. Borthwick AD (May 2012). “2,5-Diketopiperazines: Synthesis, Reactions, Medicinal Chemistry, and Bioactive Natural Products”. Chemical Reviews. 112 (7): 3641C3716. doi:10.1021/cr200398y. PMID 22575049.
