Tadalafil is a drug to treat impotence or erectile dysfunction. This medicine can also be used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH), such as difficulty urinating and pain or a feeling of incompleteness when urinating.
Tadalafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis, so erections can occur and last longer. To treat the symptoms of BPH, tadalafil works by relaxing the prostate and bladder muscles so that urine can flow more smoothly.
Tadalafil is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. This drug should not be used carelessly and must be in accordance with a doctor's prescription.
Tadalafil trademarks: Caliberi, Cialis, Ciastar Yellow, Promel
What is Tadalafil
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Erectile dysfunction medication |
| Benefit | Treat impotence or erectile dysfunction, treat symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, and treat pulmonary hypertension. |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Tadalafil for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown a risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether tadalafil is absorbed into breast milk or not. Tadalafil is known to have the potential to be absorbed into breast milk based on the results of studies on experimental animals. However, this drug is not for use by women. |
| Drug form | Tablet, orodispersible film, oral dissolving film (ODF) |
Warning Before Taking Tadalafil
Tadalafil should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, namely:
- Do not take tadalafil if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Do not take tadalafil if you are on treatment with nitrates or riociguat.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart disease, stroke, hypotension, hypertension, heart attack, arrhythmia, kidney disease, liver disease, dehydration, retinitis pigmentosa, high cholesterol, peptic ulcer, blood disorder, impaired vision, or blindness.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had Peyronie's disease, priapism, or a disease that increases your risk of developing priapism, such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, or multiple myeloma.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after taking tadalafil, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages or grapefruit, and avoid smoking, while undergoing treatment with tadalafil, because it can increase the risk of side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, when taking tadalafil to treat pulmonary hypertension.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking tadalafil if you plan to have dental surgery.
- See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction, serious side effects, or overdose after taking tadalafil.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Tadalafil
The following are general doses of tadalafil for adults based on the condition to be treated:
- Condition: Impotence or erectile dysfunction
The initial dose is 10 mg, taken 30 minutes before sexual intercourse. If needed, the dose can be increased to 20 mg.
An alternative dose is 5 mg, once daily. The dose can be reduced to 2.5 mg, according to the patient's condition.
- Condition: Benign prostate enlargement (Benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH)
The dose of tadalafil for treating BPH is 5 mg, once daily.
- Condition: Pulmonary hypertension
The dose of tadalafil to treat pulmonary hypertension is 40 mg, once a day.
How to Take Tadalafil Correctly
Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging before taking tadalafil. Do not use this medicine more than once in 24 hours.
Tadalafil can be taken before or after meals. Tadalafil tablets can be swallowed with the help of a glass of water, while tadalafil orodispersible film and tadalafil oral dissolving film need to be placed on the tongue and wait for it to decompose before being swallowed with or without the help of water.
If your doctor prescribes tadalafil 1 time a day, take this medication at the same time every day for maximum effect.
Store tadalafil in a room at room temperature. Do not store it in a humid place or in direct sunlight. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Interactions of Tadalafil with Other Drugs
The following are the effects of drug interactions that may occur if tadalafil is taken with other drugs:
- Increased risk of severe hypotension which can be fatal if taken with nitrates or riociguat
- Increased blood pressure lowering effect when taken with amlodipine, enalapril, or metoprolol
- Increased blood levels of tadalafil if taken with azole antifungal drugs, macrolide antibiotics, cimetidine, or HIV drugs
- Decreased blood levels of tadalafil when taken with rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital
It is not recommended to take tadalafil with grapefruit, because the level of tadalafil in the blood can rise thereby increasing the risk of side effects.
Tadalafil Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that may appear after taking tadalafil are:
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Nasal congestion
- heartburn, heartburn, or stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Nauseous
- Sensation of heat all over the body (hot flush)
Check with your doctor if the side effects above don't go away or get worse. See your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or a more serious side effect, such as:
- Blurred vision, blindness, or difficulty distinguishing blue from green
- Sudden deafness or ringing in the ears
- Erections that last more than 4 hours
- Chest pain
- Seizures
- Severe dizziness until fainting