Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, a prescription medicine that treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cialis is safe for many men to take, but patients must carefully follow their doctor’s instructions for use. In addition,  Cialis can cause serious side effects in some rare cases. Explore all the safety information about Cialis (Tadalafil) at Smart ED, including standard dosages, typical side effects, and vital warning signs. Please review this information before you buy Cialis online in Canada to use as a sexual enhancement medication.

How Is Cialis Usually Prescribed?

Cialis is prescribed to men who are struggling with erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The medication may also be used to treat both conditions as needed. Since Cialis treats two different conditions, it’s prescribed using a few different treatment plans.

Cialis can be taken with or without food. Don’t split your Cialis pills in half. Instead, take the entire dose as prescribed.

Cialis For As Needed Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Cialis can be taken for ED on an as-needed basis. Patients are prescribed 10 mg dosages and should take their medication before having sex. Cialis is effective after thirty minutes. However, effects can last up to 36 hours from a single dose.

Dosages may be adjusted to 20 mg or 5 mg, depending on patient results. Patients who take Cialis as needed should not take more than one dose a day.

Cialis For Once Daily Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Cialis can also be an ongoing maintenance medication for ED symptoms. Providers usually start by prescribing a 2.5 mg dosage. Patients should take their medication at the same time every day, regardless of whether they plan to have sex that day or not.

Daily dosages may be increased to 5 mg depending on patient results.

Cialis For Once Daily Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment

Cialis treats BPH, or swelling of the prostate gland. The typical starting dose for BPH treatment is 5 mg. Patients should take their medication at the same time every day.

Cialis For Once Daily Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction And Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Cialis can treat both ED and BPH in patients suffering from both conditions. Patients usually start with a 5 mg dosage. The medication should be taken at the same time each day.

Standard Cialis Dose Adjustments

Whether you take Cialis for ED, BPH, or both conditions, your dosage can be adjusted based on your tolerance. In addition, your unique medication history, metabolism, and risk factors impact your ideal Cialis dose. Cialis is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg dosages. Patients with liver or kidney issues should usually start with lower dosages.

Cialis can interfere with other medications you take. Inform your healthcare team of all the medicines and supplements you take. You should tell your doctor if you take any of the following prescriptions:

• Nitrates
• Alpha-blockers
• Blood pressure medication
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors 
  

Common Cialis Side Effects

Cialis can cause side effects in some patients. Most side effects are mild, but some can be severe or even life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any severe effects.

Cardiovascular Effects Of Cialis

Cialis makes it easier to get an erection because it improves blood flow and circulation. This effect is safe in most men but can pose risks for men with heart or lung trouble. Cialis can also cause severe drops in blood pressure. Therefore, you should only use Cialis if your heart and lungs are healthy enough to have sex.

Men with the following conditions may not be good candidates to use Cialis:

• A heart attack (myocardial infarction) within the past 90 days
• Unstable angina
• Angina while having sex
• New York Heart Association Class 2 or above heart failure within the past six months
• Uncontrolled arrhythmias 
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Stroke within the past six months
  

Prolonged Erections While Taking Cialis

Cialis can cause painful or long-lasting erections in rare cases. If you experience an erection lasting longer than four hours while taking Cialis, you need to seek medication attention. Prolonged erections or priapism can cause permanent damage to your penis.

Ask your doctor if Cialis is safe for you to use if you have any of these conditions:

• Leukemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Angulated penis
• Cavernosal fibrosis
• Peyronie’s Disease
• Any other penis abnormality

Cialis And Your Vision

Sudden vision loss is a rare side effect of Cialis. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a rare eye condition leading to permanent vision loss. If you’ve already survived a NAION event, you’re more likely to have another attack while on Cialis.

Cialis And Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss can also occur while using Cialis. This condition isn’t well understood but has been tracked in some patients. Contact your doctor if you notice hearing loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or tinnitus while on Cialis.

Low Blood Pressure And Cialis

Cialis can cause drops in blood pressure. If you have hypotension, low blood pressure, or take medicine to lower your blood pressure, Cialis can lead to dangerously low pressure. Get medical help if you feel dizzy or lightheaded while taking Cialis.

Basic Information For Cialis Patients

What Is Cialis?

Cialis is a prescription medicine that treats erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cialis treats men with ED by making it easier to get an erection when sexually aroused. It treats BPH by relaxing smooth muscles, including the muscles surrounding the prostate gland. Cialis should not be used by women or children. 

What Are The Most Important Things To Know About Taking Cialis?

Cialis can lower your blood pressure to a potentially dangerous level. This is more likely to happen if you take Cialis with other medications. For example, don’t take Cialis if you take medicines called nitrates or street drugs known as poppers. Nitrates are commonly used for chest pain or angina.

If your blood pressure drops while taking Cialis, you could become dizzy, fall, pass out, or have a heart attack or stroke. These side effects can lead to death in some men.

Cialis lasts in your body for up to two days after taking a single dose. Be careful not to combine it with other medicine during this time.

Tell Your Entire Healthcare Team That You Take Cialis

Your entire medical team needs to know that you take Cialis. Inform your doctors, specialists, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, EMTs, emergency providers, and anyone else who treats you that you take Cialis. Cialis is safe when used as directed, but it can cause serious side effects. You may need to tell providers the last time you took a Cialis dose in case of an emergency.

Know When To Seek Help

Sexual activity can be dangerous if your heart isn’t healthy. Call your doctor or seek emergency care if you feel chest pains, nausea, or dizziness while having sex.

Cialis doesn’t prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, you should use safer sex practices while taking Cialis.

Who Should Not Take Cialis?

You shouldn’t use Cialis if you also:

• Use nitrate medications
• Take street drugs known as “poppers”
• Are allergic to tadalafil or other Cialis ingredients

What Does My Doctor Need To Know Before I Take Cialis?

Tell your medical providers if you have any of the following:

• Heart problems
• Blood cell problems
• Low blood pressure
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have had a stroke
• Liver or kidney problems
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Past vision loss or NAION
• Stomach ulcers
• Bleeding problems
• A deformed penis or Peyronie’s Disease
• Have had an erection longer than four hours

Your doctor also needs to know about all medications you’re taking. The following drugs can cause serious side effects when taken with Cialis:

• Nitrates
• Alpha-blockers
• Blood pressure medication
• HIV protease inhibitors
• Certain antibiotics
• Other ED medications
• Revatio

How Do I Take Cialis?

Follow the instructions listed with your prescription. Cialis can be used in different ways for different conditions, so following your unique treatment plan is essential. Store Cialis at room temperature.

Cialis for BPH

Take your medication at the same time each day. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take more than one dose of Cialis in a day.

Cialis for ED: Daily Treatment

Take your Cialis dosage at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take more than one dose of Cialis in a day.

You can have sex at any time while taking Cialis daily. However, you will need some form of physical, sexual stimulation to become erect.

Cialis for ED: As-Needed Treatment

Take Cialis before you plan to have sex. Cialis will be effective after 30 minutes. Effects can last up to 36 hours. Don’t take more than one dose a day.

You’ll need some kind of physical stimulation to get an erection while taking Cialis.

What Are The Side Effects Of Cialis?

Most Cialis side effects are mild. You may notice the following:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Upset stomach or nausea
• Abnormal vision, including blurred vision and seeing a blue colour tinge
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Back pain
• Muscle pain
• Dizziness 
• Rash

The following symptoms are signs of more serious concerns. Stop having sex and get medical attention immediately if you notice:

• An erection that doesn’t go away after four hours
• Sudden hearing decrease or loss
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes

If side effects bother you or don’t go away, reach out to your doctor for advice.

What Are The Ingredients In Cialis?

Active Ingredient: tadalafil

Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, lactose

monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, titanium dioxide, and

triacetin. 

Don’t take Cialis if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Medication Safety

Cialis is a prescription medication. Keep your loved ones and community safe by storing Cialis away from children and pets.

Don’t take Cialis for any reason other than why it was prescribed to you. You must not sell or give your medication to anyone else, even if they show the same symptoms as you. Their doctor will need to determine if Cialis is safe for them to use.

References: 

• The Food and Drug Administration. (2011, October). Cialis (tadalafil) tablets Label. Access Data FDA. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021368s20s21lbl.pdf