Cialis
In clinical trials, CIALIS was shown to improve, up to 36 hours
after dosing, the ability of men with ED to have a single successful
intercourse attempt. CIALIS has not been studied for multiple
sexual attempts per dose. |
CIALIS DRUG INFO
Why is this medication prescribed?
Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction
(impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Tadalafil
is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors.
It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.
This increased blood flow can cause an erection. Tadalafil does
not cure erectile dysfunction or increase sexual desire. Tadalafil
does not prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How should this medicine be used? Tadalafil
comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or
without food before sexual activity. Your doctor will help you decide
the best time for you to take tadalafil before sexual activity.
Tadalafil should not be taken more often than once every 24 hours.
If you have certain health conditions or are taking certain medications,
your doctor may tell you to take tadalafil less often. Follow the
directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor
or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tadalafil
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more
often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on an average
dose of tadalafil and increase or decrease your dose depending on
your response to the medication. Tell your doctor if tadalafil is
not working well or if you are experiencing side effects.
Other uses for this medicine This
medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking tadalafil,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tadalafil
or any other medications.
- do not take tadalafil if you are taking alpha blockers such
as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress),
and terazosin (Hytrin). However, you may take tadalafil if you
are taking an alpha blocker called tamsulosin (Flomax) at a dose
of 0.4 mg daily. Also do not take tadalafil if you are taking
or have recently taken nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordril,
Sorbitrate), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), and nitroglycerin
(Nitro-BID, Nitro-Dur, Nitroquick, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates
come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays,
patches, pastes, and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not
sure if any of your medications contain nitrates.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements,
and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of
the following: antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole
(Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral); carbamazepine (Tegretol);
cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); dexamethasone
(Decadron); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin
(E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); ethosuximide (Zarontin); fluoxetine
(Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors
such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir
(Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for high blood
pressure; metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone);other medications
or treatments for erectile dysfunction; phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin
(Rifadin, Rimactane); troleandomycin (TAO), verapamil (Calan,
Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor
may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an erection that
lasted more than 4 hours; a condition that affects the shape of
the penis such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's
disease; high or low blood pressure; irregular heartbeat; a heart
attack; angina (chest pain); a stroke; ulcers in the stomach or
intestine; a bleeding disorder; blood cell problems such as sickle
cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma
(cancer of the plasma cells), or leukemia (cancer of the white
blood cells); and liver, kidney, or heart disease. Also tell your
doctor if you or any of your family members have or have ever
had an eye disease such as retinitis pigmentosa. Tell your doctor
if you have ever been advised by a health care professional to
avoid sexual activity for medical reasons or if you have ever
experienced chest pain during sexual activity.
- you should know that tadalafil is only for use in males. Women
should not take tadalafil, especially if they are or could become
pregnant or are breast-feeding. If a pregnant woman takes tadalafil,
she should call her doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are taking tadalafil.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while
you are taking tadalafil. Alcohol can make the side effects from
tadalafil worse. Your doctor will tell you how much alcohol you
may drink while you are taking this medication.
- you should know that sexual activity may be a strain on your
heart, especially if you have heart disease. If you have chest
pain during sexual activity, call your doctor immediately and
avoid sexual activity until your doctor tells you otherwise.
- tell all your health care providers that you are taking tadalafil.
If you ever need emergency medical treatment for a heart problem,
the health care providers who treat you will need to know when
you last took tadalafil.
What special dietary instructions
should I follow? Talk to your doctor about
drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
What side effects can this medication
cause? Tadalafil may cause side effects.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go
away:
- headache
- indigestion or heartburn
- flushing
- pain in the back, muscles, or any limb
- stuffy or runny nose
Some side effects can be serious. The following
symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your
doctor immediately:
- erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
- changes in vision (seeing a blue tinge on objects or having
difficulty telling the difference between blue and green)
- chest pain
Tadalafil may cause other side effects. Call
your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed
for this medicine? Keep this medication
in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of
children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat
and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that
is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the
proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose In
case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency
services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- headache
- indigestion or heartburn
- flushing
- pain in the back, muscles, or any limb
- stuffy or runny nose
- erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
What other information should
I know? Keep all appointments with your
doctor .
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your
prescription.
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