Cialis has become popular
as an erectile dysfunction (ED) prescription medication as it is effective for 36 hours. All other
medications, Viagra, Sildenafil, Levitra and Spedra are active for 4-6 hours.
Cialis is the brand name for the
medication created by Eli Lilly in 2003. The active ingredient in Cialis is Tadalafil and the composition
couldn’t be recreated, by law, until Eli Lilly’s production patent ended on 14th November 2017. Now
it can be produced and distributed by other drug manufacturers, in the generic form of Tadalafil.
Generic
forms of any
medication are medically identical to the branded originals and are quality
controlled to the same standards as the brand name versions; they are just as
safe and effective but generally cost
much less.
Tadalafil
on demand is
known as “the weekend pill” as, due to it's 36 hour duration of action, it
can be taken on a Friday night and still be active on Sunday morning.
There is also a low dose tadalafil option
taken on a daily basis, called Tadalafil
daily, so you don’t have to plan ahead and can be ready for action “anytime, anyplace, anywhere”.
Cialis (tadalafil) has
been licensed in the UK for over a decade. It was the third erectile
dysfunction (ED) prescription medication of its type to receive
a UK license, after Viagra
and Levitra.
Its prolonged duration of action and the option to take a low dose daily tablet
have led to Cialis(tadalafil) becoming increasingly popular and being more widely
prescribed.
How does tadalafil work?
Erections
are primarily achieved through blood flow.Tadalafil works by helping to
relax the blood vessels in your penis and the erectile tissue itself, allowing
blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited. It does not
have an effect on your sexual desire but can greatly improve your erection when
you become sexually aroused.
Is tadalafil more effective than sildenafil
(generic Viagra)?
Both medications have a high success
rate, helping the majority of men to regain control over their erection and
have an improved sex life. Clinical trials have indicated that both are equally
effective.
Does tadalafil have fewer side
effects than sildenafil?
As both drugs work in the same way, they
share many of the same side effects. These include facial flushing, headaches
and indigestion. However, sildenafil has an effect on your vision that doesn’t
seem to affect users of tadalafil to the same extent, as it may produce a green-blue
visual tinge. Headaches also occur more commonly with sildenafil but may
last longer with tadalafil. Any side-effects experienced may last longer
with tadalafil.
Is tadalafil a safe medication?
Generally, tadalafil is a safe drug but is
not recommended to be taken if you have certain conditions or are taking
specific medications that might interact with tadalafil. This is the same for
all other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors like Spedra, Viagra, Cialis,
Levitra and sildenafil.
Sildenafil and
tadalafil should not be taken by men who take medicines or recreational drugs
containing nitrates.
Nitrates
interact very adversely with all phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors like
Spedra, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and sildenafil. They can cause a FATAL lowering
of blood pressure and should NEVER be used together.
Nitrates
include medications like GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, nitrate patches,
gel or ointment and nicorandil. These are usually prescribed for heart
conditions. If you take nitrates you should consult your GP for other options
for your ED. Also, the recreational drugs called
"poppers" should be avoided.
Tadalafil should not be
taken by men who are on medicines called alpha blockers which are sometimes
used to treat prostate problems or high blood pressure. Men who take alpha
blockers can use Viagra, sildenafil, Levitra or Spedra but must allow at least
a six hour gap between taking the alpha blocker and the ED medication.
There is a full list of the contra-indications
and interactions on the website and on the medical questionnaire that is sent
to our doctor for approval.
Can I drink alcohol with tadalafil?
Having
just one or two drinks is unlikely to affect tadalafil (or any other similar ED
medication) or cause any health risks. However, if you drink excessively while
taking tadalafil you may experience some adverse effects and not achieve as
firm an erection.
The
main problem you may experience by drinking too much alcohol while you take
tadalafil is orthostatic hypotension. This can cause a headache, dizziness,
and fainting, which can lead to you injuring yourself. Hypotension may also
make your heart beat at a faster rate which can lead to severe heart problems.
This
effect can occur because tadalafil and alcohol both act as vasodilators.
Vasodilators are substances that lower your blood pressure by relaxing the
walls of your blood vessels, which allow the blood vessels to open wider.
Orthostatic
hypotension can be even more likely with tadalafil than with the other erectile
dysfunction drugs as it stays in your system longer than the other ED drugs.
Does tadalafil have any advantages over other ED
medications of a similar type?
The main differences between tadalafil
and other ED medications of a similar type is three-fold.
1) Tadalafil’s long duration of action - 36 hours. Where other Ed products only last for 4 to 6 hours.
2) Low dose tadalafil can be taken on a daily
basis, called Tadalafil Daily, so that you don’t have to plan ahead and can be
ready for any sexual activity at any time.
3) It's not affected by food.
Conclusion
Tadalafil is unique in that it can
either be taken when required or on a daily basis so that no planning ahead is
needed and enables spontaneity. It’s also not affected by food and since it’s
now off patent it can be bought at a much lower price than Cialis.
Due to all of these advantages, tadalafil will
probably knock sildenafil off the number one spot as the drug of choice for men
with erectile dysfunction.
Medically reviewed by: Superintendent Pharmacist Margaret Hudson BSc(Hons)MRPharmS 19/12/17