Tadalafil Tablets: Overview

Tadalafil is a prescription medication that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing blood flow to the penis. It belongs to a group of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Tadalafil works by relaxing smooth muscle in the blood vessels of the penis which increases blood flow and, when sexual stimulation is present, leads to an erection.

Also available in the brand known as ‘Cialis’, tadalafil is often referred to as the ‘weekend pill’ due to its long duration of action - up to 36 hours.

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Daily Tadalafil vs On-Demand

Tadalafil can be taken at a lower dose everyday, or as a higher dose when needed for sexual activity. The right option for you will depend on how frequently you will need to use tadalafil.

Daily tadalafil provides continuous coverage, allowing you to have sex at any time without planning. On-demand doses are taken when needed before sexual activity.

Available Doses

Tadalafil is available in four strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg.

Each dose is prescribed based on your health, response to treatment, and chosen dosing approach.

Lower doses (2.5mg and 5mg) are typically used for daily treatment, while 10mg and 20mg are used on-demand. Your prescriber will recommend the safest and most effective dose for you.

How to Order Tadalafil Online

As a prescription-only (POM) treatment, tadalafil must be prescribed following a consultation. Fill out an online consultation today, this asks about your symptoms, your medical history and if you take any other medication.

Once submitted, add your chosen product to your basket and checkout. Our GPhC-registered prescribers review your responses for clinical effectiveness and safety before approving and dispatching usually on the same day in plain, discreet packaging.

Various delivery methods are used with next-day delivery available.

How It Works

Tadalafil belongs to a class of erectile dysfunction medication called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis. The extra blood fills the spongy tissues of the penis where it is trapped, helping to achieve and maintain an erection for sexual activity.

For tadalafil to work effectively, sexual stimulation is required.

Tadalafil stays in the body for up to 36 hours (a long half-life). For the purpose of erectile dysfunction, this means men can be ready for sex without prior planning anytime within this period, with a single dose.

Other ED treatments such as sildenafil (Viagra), only last up to 4 hours. For this reason, using sildenafil requires planning as the dose must be timed relative to anticipated sexual activity.

Who Can Take Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is suitable for most adult men with erectile dysfunction, including those who want either daily or on-demand treatment.

Suitability depends on your medical history, medications, and cardiovascular health. A consultation with a prescriber is required before treatment.

Important Safety Information

Most patients can safely take Tadalafil (generic Cialis), but as with all medicine, it cannot be taken by patients suffering from certain medical conditions. These include patients who:

• Have had a heart attack within the last 90 days.

• Have unstable angina - a type of chest pain characterised by a sharp pain in the chest.

• Have serious heart disease - such as heart failure or a history of heart attack.

• Have an uncontrolled heart rate and high or low blood pressure.

• Have had a stroke within the last 6 months.

• Have loss of vision in one eye - due to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy.

• Are allergic to the active ingredient or any of the excipients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Men with mild to moderate kidney disease can continue taking tadalafil 20mg tablets with no dose adjustment necessary. Once-daily dosing is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.

Men with liver impairment usually have their dose adjusted to tadalafil 10mg. There is limited safety information available on the use of tadalafil in patients with severe liver impairment. Its use is therefore determined by careful evaluation of the benefit/risk ratio.

Patients who take certain medications must not take tadalafil due to drug interactions. These include anyone taking:

• Nitrates - such as glyceryl trinitrate - a spray used under the tongue for angina.

• Riociguat - taken for pulmonary hypertension.

• Medicines used to treat high blood pressure - as this can lead to a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure.

• Alpha-blockers - used to treat an enlarged prostate.

• Antifungal drugs - such as fluconazole and ketoconazole.

• Antibiotics - such as clarithromycin.

• Antiviral drugs - used for the treatment of HIV.

• Grapefruit juice.

Alcohol can affect the way tadalafil works. It is advised to limit your alcohol intake to ensure you are getting the most benefit from the medicine.

The use of recreational drugs whilst on tadalafil has not been studied but as a general rule should be avoided or at least not taken at approximately the same time as each other.

Tadalafil is not indicated for use in women and there is limited data available to determine its safety in females who may be pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects

As with all medications, tadalafil can cause side effects though not everyone gets them

Common side effects

The most common side effects are mild and temporary. They usually resolve on their own as the body adjusts to treatment and include:

• Headache

• Indigestion

• Back pain

• Muscle aches

• Flushing

• Nasal congestion

Serious side effects

More serious side effects include:

• Priapism - a prolonged, painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours

• NAION (sudden vision loss)

• Cardiovascular events - such as sudden chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or heart attack/stroke

• Sudden hearing loss - accompanied by tinnitus (ringing) or vertigo

• Anaphylaxis - severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyes, face, lips or throat.

• Severe skin reactions - such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis

If you experience any of these side effects, you should seek immediate medical attention, by calling 999 or going to the nearest A&E immediately.

For a complete list of side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet.

Related Treatments

Alternative ED treatments include sildenafil, vardenafil and avanafil. All work in exactly the same way and are of benefit to patients with ED.

Though avanafil gets to work sooner, tadalafil is the only treatment available as a daily-dose, which also lasts up to 36 hours - a single tablet can last over a weekend.

Non-pharmacological treatments

If you cannot take medication, or it doesn’t work, there are alternative therapies available, including:

• A penis pump - which creates a vacuum pulling blood into the penis. Once you achieve an erection, you slip a tension ring at the base of the penis to maintain the erection.

• A penile implant - which involves surgically inserting a device into the penis to control erections. This is usually reserved for when other treatments have failed.

• Exercise - can help improve your overall cardiovascular health, including blood flow, which in turn can help treat the symptoms of ED.

• Psychological counselling - can help improve your relationship if your symptoms occur as a result of anxiety or stress.

Additional Tips for Managing Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition, especially in men over 40. Medication isn't the only thing you can do to treat erectile dysfunction - lifestyle changes can also make a big difference. Here are our top 3 lifestyle tips for managing ED:

Losing weight

Losing weight is one way to improve your erectile function. One study found that around one third of overweight and obese men could cure their ED through weight loss.

Stop smoking

Several studies have found a link between smoking and erectile dysfunction. After stopping smoking, many men find that their ED symptoms improve.

Exercise more

Exercising is a natural way to boost nitric oxide levels - a chemical involved in blood vessel relaxation. It's also a great way to manage stress and lose weight, which are two other factors that can worsen symptoms.

The bottom line

Whilst lifestyle changes are important, many men want a quicker way to manage their ED. Clinically proven treatments, when used alongside healthcare advice offer viable options to help reinvigorate your sex life. Start your consultation today by clicking here.