Tadalafil is also prescribed as a generic form of the prescription Adcirca. These tablets or capsules work to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. They may also be used to help with bodybuilding and exercise. There are a lot of Cialis alternatives that were created on the tadalafil basis.
What Is Dosage, Side Effects, and Interaction of Tadalafil?
Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) or suffer from the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate? Many doctors are prescribing Tadalafil for men experiencing these conditions, and many men have found the results to be successful.
What Is Tadalafil Used For?
Tadalafil is a multipurpose drug that helps correct and treats different types of conditions. Cialis is one brand name for this generic drug; under this name is used for treating ED and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. Treatment for ED was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003, while treatment for BPH was approved in 2009.
Tadalafil is also prescribed as a generic form of the prescription Adcirca. These tablets or capsules work to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. They may also be used to help with bodybuilding and exercise. There are a lot of Cialis alternatives that were created on the tadalafil basis.
Tadalafil Dosage
Tadalafil tablets are yellow and are available in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg or 20mg doses. Higher dosages for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension may be prescribed as well, such as 20mg, 40mg or 60mg. While other similar drugs like Viagra, have high maximum dosages, such as 100mg, most doctors do not recommend such high doses of Tadalafil.
Most often, the pills are recommended for daily use. Dosage may be increased or lowered by your doctor depending on how well you tolerate them and how well they work for you. For safety, patients using Tadalafil should follow the directions on the medication label.
For Erectile Dysfunction
Dosages of Tadalafil for ED vary depending on several factors. The dosage for a patient taking this prescription as needed will be different than those taking it on a daily basis. The most common dosages prescribed by doctors both initially and long-term are available in the following table.
Use | Initial Dose | Maintenance Dose |
---|---|---|
As needed for ED | 10mg once daily as needed prior to sexual activity | 5mg to 20mg once daily prior to sexual activity |
Once a day for ED | 2.5mg once daily at the same time every day | 2.5mg to 5mg once daily at the same time every day |
Daily for ED and BPH | 5mg to 60mg once daily for up to 16 weeks | Dosages of up to 60mg once daily |
For Pulmonary Hypertension
The average adult dosage for Adcirca, when used once daily, is 5mg orally. The same dosage is recommended by most doctors when the drug is taken at the same time as finasteride. Finasteride is prescribed along with Tadalafil for patients that experience urinary problems because their BPH condition has enlarged their prostate gland.
Your doctor may adjust your Tadalafil dose depending on how well you tolerate it. However, adjusted dosages are typically not given to patients 65 years of age or over unless these patients experience hepatic impairment or renal impairment. Increases in dosages (up to 60mg daily) may be made for patients taking certain other medications.
Many individuals who take this medication for pulmonary hypertension can tell that the drug is working when their BPH symptoms improve. Many of the symptoms associated with the condition include trouble initiating urination, weak urine flow and straining while urinating. You may also experience sudden and frequent urges to use the restroom. Tadalafil is a long-term drug that helps reduce and even eliminate these symptoms.
Influence of Age and Weight on a Dosage
Men 18 years old or younger should not use Tadalafil. In men older than 65 years old, the drug may process more slowly in the body. Because of this, most doctors will prescribe a smaller dose initially for these types of patients. This helps avoid high levels of medication in the body, which can lead to dangerous side effects.
Your doctor will consider your body weight before prescribing the optimal Tadalafil dosage for you. He will also consider other important factors, such as the condition being treated, other medical conditions you have and how severe your condition is.
This medication is not intended for female use. Tadalafil is not for women, including those who are pregnant and breastfeeding. It is considered a pregnancy category B drug, which means there is a potential risk to a fetus if the prescription is taken by a pregnant woman.
Side Effects of Tadalafil
How shows reviews – Tadalafil can cause both minor and major side effects in some individuals. Some minor side effects that do not require medical attention include:
- heartburn;
- belching;
- upset stomach;
- indigestion;
- nosebleeds;
- dry, itchy eyes;
- congestion;
- fever;
- dry mouth.
Major side effects are not common, but may include:
- confusion;
- chest pain;
- fainting;
- blurred vision;
- irritated, red eyes;
- headache;
- arm, back, jaw or leg pain;
- sweating;
- vomiting;
- hearing loss;
- vision loss.
Major side effects can be serious and sometimes dangerous. They require immediate medical attention. While not a normal symptom of using Tadalafil, some men have been known to experience prolonged erections of the penis. Whether these erections are painful or not, it’s important to consult a health care professional if the erections last for more than four hours.
Side effects of this medication can be unwanted and bothersome. It’s important to discuss both the risks and benefits with your doctor prior to taking the drug.
How Does Tadalafil Work?
Tadalafil is used to treat male impotence by helping men achieve and maintain a lasting erection. Like other similar medications, such as Levitra and Viagra, it has a safe mechanism of action and is effective for erectile dysfunction.
As mentioned above, it is a PDE5 inhibitor; PDE5 is an enzyme found that most men with erectile dysfunction suffer from. This enzyme prevents a substance called cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) from sending the correct signals to the pelvic region’s nerve endings. This is what makes it difficult for men to achieve an erection.
Tadalafil reduces the effects of PDE5, resulting in more normal levels of cGMP in the body. This lets the cGMP send the correct signals to your nerve endings, increasing blood flow to the area for a longer and harder erection. One dosage of this drug has a short half-life of only 2 days, but let you experience a healthy erection during this time. Daily doses help maintain healthy levels of cGMP.
This drug does not increase your sex drive or cause an instant erection. You must be sexually aroused for it to work.
How to Take Tadalafil?
When taking Tadalafil for recreational use and the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it’s important to understand the difference between on-demand dosing and daily doses. Daily doses are typically lower and should be taken once every 24 hours, regardless of sexual activity. For best results, they should be taken at the same time every day.
On-demand dosages are typically higher, between 10mg and 20mg. Most physicians provide instructions that you take an on-demand dose approximately 17 minutes before any planned sexual activity. The recommended dosage amount helps determine how long it lasts, but the drug often continues working for up to 36-40 hours. A max of one tablet per day should be taken.
Tadalafil can be taken with food/drinks or without but should be taken with any liquid. If you forget a dose, you may be concerned with when to take your next one. Do not try to catch up by taking more than one tablet or dose at a time. This can result in dangerous side effects. If you accidentally overdose on the medication, call 911 or your doctor immediately. Severe and dangerous Tadalafil side effects may result.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions regarding how to take or how to use this medication and follow his recommendations.
Who Should Take 10mg Tablets?
10mg tablets of Tadalafil or Cialis are typically given to those first starting the drug. If you’ve never taken this medication before, your doctor will likely prescribe this or a smaller dosage, to begin with. If you find the 10mg is not working, you may ask your doctor to up the dosage to 20mg instead.
10mg tablets are also often the best choice for individuals suffering from erectile dysfunction caused by stress or anxiety. Most doctors will switch you to this dosage if you experience side effects when taking a higher dosage as well.
Men who suffer from certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, or are taking prescriptions to lower blood pressure may also need to stick with a low dosage. When evaluating your condition, your doctor will ask you several questions. The information you provide will help him determine what the correct dosage is for you.
What Are Tadalafil 20mg Tablets For?
In most cases, 20mg tablets of Tadalafil are the maximum dosages prescribed by doctors for erectile dysfunction. It’s important to follow the directions provided by your doctor and not exceed the recommended dosage to avoid dangerous side effects. These tablets are most often provided for men who have tried 10mg tablets and found they are not effective for their particular situation.
10mg Vs 20mg Comparison
When considering 10mg vs 20mg tabs of this medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what other medications you are currently taking and the severity of your ED. Stronger doses may interact poorly with other medicines and may result in increased side effects, especially if you are older.
On the other hand, 10mg capsules may not be as effective if your ED is severe. You may need a stronger dose to normalize the levels of cGMP in your body and reduce the PDE5 enzyme.
Both 10mg and 20mg work the same way. How long it takes to work varies, but you can generally see results in 15 to 45 minutes.
Can I Take Medicine Daily?
Yes, Tadalafil is often recommended for daily use by physicians, especially for individuals who are healthy enough for sex several times a week. A low daily dosage of the medication helps increase the duration of action while also restoring and maintaining healthy levels of cGMP in the body.
In most cases, a 5mg Tadalafil dosage is prescribed for individuals taking the medication on a daily basis. Higher dosages, like 10mg and 20mg, are reserved for on-demand dosing.
Before taking Tadalafil, always check the date that it was prescribed. While the drug has a shelf life of three years, the way it has been stored can affect whether or not it remains as potent as it was when first prescribed.
Tadalafil Interactions
Interactions between Tadalafil and medications, food, herbs, and vitamins can occur. These interactions can change the way the drug works, resulting in harmful side effects. They may also prevent the medication from working and lower its effectiveness.
To prevent interactions, always talk to your doctors about what medications you are taking. If you notice any indication of interaction, let your doctor know as quickly as possible. Pay attention because how you work, your eating habits and the medication you take affect the drug.
With Food
Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruits while taking this medication. Tadalafil is known to interact poorly with these substances. Eating and drinking them can result in higher than normal levels of Tadalafil in the body, which increases your risk of serious side effects.
With Alcohol
Avoid using both Tadalafil and alcohol at the same time. Both of these substances widen blood vessels. When combined, they can cause your blood pressure to drop dramatically, especially when you stand after lying down or sitting. You may experience dizziness, heart rate, and a headache as a result.
With Other Drugs
When you go to use Tadalafil, make sure you avoid certain medications that may change the way that Tadalafil works in your body. Some common medications that interact with this drug include:
- nitrates;
- high blood pressure medications;
- HIV drugs;
- oral antifungal drugs;
- certain antibiotics;
- other ED drugs;
- pulmonary arterial hypertension medicines;
- stomach acid drugs.
Interactions with these drugs vary. Some may lower the level of Tadalafil in the body, while others may keep you from absorbing the drug well. To avoid negative interactions, use the same pharmacy for all of your prescriptions. Your pharmacist will be able to spot potential interactions, even if you forget to tell your doctor about some medicine you are taking.
Of course, not all interactions are bad. Some medications are prescribed together to provide users with improved results. Dapoxetine, typically prescribed in dapoxetine 30mg or dapoxetine 60mg doses, is often prescribed to patients taking Tadalafil who experience premature ejaculation. There are also tablets available that feature both medications combined into one pill.