Tadalafil

What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is a prescription-only medicine (POM). It is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men (impotence), it is the active ingredient of the popular branded medicine called Cialis. Tadalafil and Cialis, therefore, have identical effects.

It has a long duration of activity a feature that makes this a very popular medication for use in Erectile Dysfunction.

Key advantages of Tadalafil

1. Long duration of activity of up to 36 hours
2. Short duration to act after taking the pill ~ 20-30mins
3. Extensive research and real-life experiences of success rate
4. Men with diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can take the lower dosage form of this medication.

How does Tadalafil work?

Tadalafil is a PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase type 5) Phosphodiesterase Type inhibitor. Its mechanism of action is by dilating the blood vessels within the penis. During the sexual arousal (sexual stimuli) process, a nucleotide called cGMP is released into your bloodstream. This relaxes the blood vessels within the penis, this, in turn, leads to an increase in blood flow and volume within the penis helping to achieve and sustain an erection.

To return to a non-erect state, cGMP is broken down by the naturally occurring enzyme PDE-5, this reduces blood flow in the penis. Tadalafil works by blocking the actions of PDE-5, this maintains a larger volume of cGMP within the bloodstream resulting in the effect of prolonging the erection (achieve a fuller and firmer erection). Tadalafil can start working within 30minutes after use and can last for up to 36hours. This however does not mean the user will maintain an erection for 36 hours, Tadalafil only works when the user is aroused (encounters sexual stimulation).

How long does Tadalafil last for?

Tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, this is not for every individual as factors such as weight, existing medical conditions and use of other medications will have an effect on duration. The diagram below shows the typical concentration of Tadalafil in the blood, peak concentration is reached between 5-6 hours.

Tadalafil dosages

The dosage that is prescribed depends on many factors such as age, medical conditions and other medications being taken. The severity of your Erectile Dysfunction (impotence) is also a key consideration too.

Our doctors will take these and other factors into account when prescribing the treatment.

Currently, there are FOUR different dosages of Tadalafil available in the UK.

• 2.5mg
• 5mg
• 10mg
• 20mg

In the majority of patients, a standard dose of 10mg is found to be beneficial.

A lower dosage of 2.5mg and 5mg are prescribed for individuals who are more susceptible to side effects.

The higher dosage of 20mg is only recommended after treatment failure with the lower dosages and the patient experienced no side effects.

Side effects & precautions

We always recommend that you inform your doctor before starting on any new treatment to rule out potential side effects or interactions with other medications that you are taking.

It is very important to disclose any cardiac (heart) problems you currently have or are being investigated for, this is crucial to avoid any serious harm prior to starting this treatment. This is information is critical if you are taking any nitrates as Tadalafil can cause low blood pressure when used together.

With active medical products, there are risks of side effects.

Common side-effects

If you do experience any of the following common side effects on a regular basis, a lower dose may be more beneficial for you.

• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Back pain · Muscle aches
• Flushing (reddish skin)
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Diarrhoea

Unusual side-effects If you experience any of these side-effects, immediately stop taking your medication and consult medical advice as soon as possible. In cases of emergency contact 999.

• Priapism
• Vision changes
• Hearing loss
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Angina (chest pain)

Allergies to Tadalafil is not common, in its most severe form it is life-threatening.

Ensure you seek medical advice before purchasing this treatment, especially if you have high or low blood pressure or any heart or liver issues. Download the attached patient information leaflet for more information.

Documentation