Cialis
Generic Name: tadalafil (ta DAL a fil)
Brand Names: Cialis
What is Cialis?
Cialis relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body. It is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor.
Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). It works by helping to increase blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. This helps you to achieve and maintain an erection.
Cialis may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Cialis
Do not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Cialis with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack. If you become dizzy or nauseated during sexual activity, or if you have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Cialis. Do not take this medication more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.Cialis can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Cialis, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether this medication is the actual cause of vision loss.
Stop using Cialis and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.Before taking Cialis
Do not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers") Taking Cialis with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.Before taking Cialis, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
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a recent history a heart attack (within the past 90 days);
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a recent history of stroke or congestive heart failure (within the past 6 months);
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angina (chest pain);
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high or low blood pressure;
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liver disease;
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kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
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a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
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a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
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a stomach ulcer;
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retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
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a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
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if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Cialis.
This medication can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Cialis, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Cialis is the actual cause of vision loss. Stop using Cialis and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
FDA pregnancy category B: Although Cialis is not for use in women, this medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Cialis without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Although Cialis is not for use in women, it is not known if Cialis passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.How should I take Cialis?
Take Cialis exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Taking this medication in larger doses will not make it more effective, and could cause dangerous side effects.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.Cialis can be taken with or without food.
Cialis is usually taken only when needed, just before sexual activity. However, Cialis may also be taken daily (at a lower dose), regardless of when sexual activity is planned. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Cialis can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not take Cialis more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses. If you take the medication daily, take it at the same time each day.Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis. Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Cialis is used as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
If you take Cialis every day and you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do nottake extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and feeling light-headed or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking Cialis?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Cialis.Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Cialis. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Avoid using other medicines to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), without first talking to your doctor.Cialis side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your doctor right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Cialis.Stop using Cialis and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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sudden vision loss;
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ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
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chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
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irregular heartbeat;
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swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
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shortness of breath;
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vision changes;
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seizure (convulsions);
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feeling light-headed, fainting; or
- penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.
Less serious side effects may include:
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warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
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stuffy nose, sore throat;
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headache;
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diarrhea, upset stomach; or
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>muscle pain, back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Cialis?
Do not take Cialis if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").Before taking Cialis, tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are using any of the following medications:
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heart or blood pressure medications;
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cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
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erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
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doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin);
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HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), tipranavir (Aptivus), darunavir (Prezista), efavirenz (Sustiva), nevirapine (Viramune), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept);
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itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
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carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), or phenytoin (Dilantin); or
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Cialis. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about Cialis.
What does my medication look like?
Tadalafil is available with a prescription under the brand name Cialis. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
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Cialis 5 mg - yellow, almond-shaped, film-coated tablets
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Cialis 10 mg - yellow, almond-shaped, film-coated tablets
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Cialis 20 mg - yellow, almond-shaped, film-coated tablets
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Click here for more information on Cialis from the manufacturer.
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Cialis - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
