Tadalafil
(tah-DAL-a-fil )
is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Erectile dysfunction is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. When a man is sexually stimulated, his body's normal response is to increase blood flow to his penis. This results in an erection. Tadalafil helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity. Once a man has completed sexual activity, blood flow to his penis decreases, and his erection goes away.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Oral
Tablets (U.S.)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tadalafil, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tadalafil. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Tadalafil is for use in men only. Tadalafil has not been studied in pregnant women. Tadalafil has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals.
Breast-feeding—Tadalafil is for use in men only. It is not known whether tadalafil passes into human breast milk.
Children—Tadalfil is not for use in children.
Older adults—This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking tadalafil, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
Erectile dysfunction medicines—these medicines should not be used at the same time as tadalafil because the safety of using these medicines in combination has not been proven.
Nitrates (medicine used to treat chest pain [e.g., nitroglycerin])—these medicines should not be used at the same time as tadalafil because they can cause very low blood pressure and serious side effects
Alcoholic beverages— drinking alcohol can cause an increased chance of some side effects.
Alpha blockers, other than tamsulosin 0.4 mg taken once a day (medicine for high blood pressure)—these medicines should not be used at the same time as tadalafil because they can cause very low blood pressure and serious side effects
Erythromycin (e.g., Apo-erythro) or
Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox) or
Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral) or
Grapefruit juice or
Ritonavir (e.g., Norvir) or
Saquinavir (e.g., Fortovase, Invirase)—These medicines or food may increase your chance of getting side effects.
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of tadalafil. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Angina (reoccurring chest pain) or
Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or
Hypotension (low blood pressure) or
Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
Stroke (recent history of) or
Heart attack (within the last 3 months) or
Heart failure (within the last 6 months) or
Retinal disorders (rare hereditary eye problem)
Stroke (within the last 6 months)—tadalafil has not been studied in patients with these medical conditions and should not be used
Kidney disease (severe)—tadalafil should be used with caution in these patients and a lower dose may be needed
Liver disease—tadalafil should not be used in patients with serious liver disease; in patients with less serious liver disease, tadalafil should be used with caution and a lower dose may be needed
Abnormal penis, including curved penis and birth defects of the penis—chance of problems occurring may be increased and this medicine should be used with caution in these patients
Bleeding disorders or
Stomach ulcers—chance of problems occurring may be increased; it is not known if the medicine is safe for use in these patients
Heart disease, underlying—chance of low blood pressure occurring is greater; tadalafil should be used carefully in these patients
Heart blood flow problems—these conditions may cause you to be more sensitive to tadalafil
Sickle-cell anemia (blood disorder) or
Bone marrow cancer or
Leukemia (blood related cancer)—tadalafil should be used with caution in these patients as problems with prolonged erection of the penis may occur
Proper Use of This Medicine
Special patient directions come with tadalafil. Read the directions carefully before you start using tadalafil and each time you get a refill of your medicine.
Use tadalafil exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. If too much is used, the chance of side effects or other problems is increased.
Dosing—
The dose of tadalafil will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of tadalafil. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
For treatment of erectile dysfunction:
Adults—10 mg as a single dose no more than once a day, taken before you think sexual activity may occur. The ability to have sexual activity may be improved up to 36 hours after taking tadalafil when compared to placebo (sugar pill). If needed, your doctor may change your dose.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Tadalafil has not been studied with other medicines used for treatment of erectile dysfunction. Using them together is not recommended .
It is important that you tell all of your healthcare providers that you take tadalafil. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is important that your healthcare provider knows when you last took tadalafil.
If you experience a prolonged or painful erection for 4 hours or more, contact your doctor immediately. This condition may require prompt medical treatment to prevent serious and permanent damage to your penis.
This medicine does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. Use protective measures and ask your doctor if you have any questions about this.
It is important to tell your doctor about any heart problems you may have now or may have had in the past. This medicine can cause serious side effects in patients with heart problems.
Do not drink alcohol to excess (for example, 5 glasses of wine or 5 shots of whiskey) when taking tadalafil. When taken in excess alcohol can increase your chances of getting a headache or getting dizzy, increasing your heart rate, or lowering your blood pressure.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Arm, back or jaw pain;
blurred vision ;
chest pain or discomfort;
chest tightness or heaviness;
chills;
cold sweats;
confusion;
dizziness;
fainting;
faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly;
fast or irregular heartbeat;
headache;
nausea;
nervousness;
pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck;
pounding in the ears;
shortness of breath;
slow or fast heartbeat;
sweating;
unusual tiredness or weakness ;
vomiting
Rare
Painful or prolonged erection of the penis
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.
More Common
Acid or sour stomach;
belching;
heartburn;
indigestion;
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Less common
Bloody nose;
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles" , or tingling feelings;
burning feeling in chest or stomach;
burning, dry or itching eyes;
body aches or pain ;
congestion;
cough;
diarrhea;
difficulty in moving;
difficulty swallowing;
dry mouth;
dryness or soreness of throat;
eye pain ;
excessive eye discharge;
fever;
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings ;
feeling of warmth redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest;
hoarseness;
increased erection;
itching skin;
joint pain;
lack or loss of strength ;
loose stools;
muscle aching or cramping;
muscle pains or stiffness;
nasal congestion;
neck pain;
pain;
pain in arms and/or legs;
pain or burning in throat;
rash;
redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid ;
reduced sensitivity to touch;
runny nose;
sensation of spinning;
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness;
sleeplessness;
sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or tongue or inside the mouth;
spontaneous penile erection;
stomach upset;
swelling of eyelids;
swelling or puffiness of eye or face;
swollen joints;
tearing;
tender, swollen glands in neck;
tenderness in stomach area;
trouble sleeping;
unable to sleep;
upper abdominal pain;
voice changes;
watering of eyes
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.