Cialis

What is Cialis?

Cialis is a prescription treatment for erectile dysfunction. It contains the active ingredient tadalafil which allows the arteries to open up and as a result allow better blood flow to the penis. 

How effective is Cialis?

Cialis has been shown to be 81% effective. Viagra has a slightly higher rate of effectiveness, but the effects of Cialis can last longer.  

How to get an erection when taking Cialis

Cialis peaks around 2 hours after you take it. It won’t give you an instant erection however, rather it helps your body to react the way you want in situations which cause you to feel aroused. For example, initiating sex.

Active ingredients

Tadalafil is the active ingredient contained in Cialis.

Inactive ingredients

The other ingredients in Cialis are: lactose, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium laurilsulfate, magnesium stearate, triacetin, titanium dioxide, (E171) and iron oxide.

How to start Cialis

When you take Cialis for the first time you should stick to the minimum dose of 10mg and allow 1-2 hours for the drug to take effect. Once you become familiar with how it affects you, you can adjust your dose of Cialis accordingly. 

How to take Cialis

If you are taking Cialis for the first time then you should take it 1-2 hours before you expect to have sex. It may take effect sooner than this, everyone is different. The tablet should be taken with a glass of water.

Cialis dosage

The minimum Cialis dose is 10mg which can be increased to 20mg - you should speak to your doctor about which dosage would be best for you. 

Can Cialis be crushed/split?

Check the instructions provided with your medicine to find out if the brand of Cialis you are using can be crushed or split. If the tablet has an indented line down the middle this is an indication that it can be split. Otherwise it should be swallowed whole. If you have difficulties swallowing tablets, you may want to try Levitra which is available in an orodispersible form.

Can Cialis be taken with food?

Cialis can be taken with food, however it works best on an empty stomach. Taking it with a rich, fatty meal means the tablet will take longer to work. 

Cialis side effects

Common side effects associated with taking Cialis are: 

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Pain in arms and legs
• Facial flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Indigestion

Less common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• sSomach ache
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Acid reflux
• Blurred vision or a pain in the eye
• Breathing difficulties 
• Bloody urine
• Heart palpitations or increased heart rate 
• Prolonged erection 
• High or low blood pressure 
• Nose bleeds 
• Swollen feet, ankles or hands 
• Tiredness

Rare side effects include: 

• Fainting 
• Seizures 
• Memory loss
• Swollen eyelids 
• Redness in the eyes 
• Hearing problems 
• Hives 
• Bleeding from the penis or blood in the semen 
• Increased sweating  

Contraindications

Cialis is not suitable to take if any of the following apply to you: 

• If you are taking nitrates to treat chest pain
• If you have heart disease or have suffered a heart attack in the last 90 days
• If you have problems with your blood pressure
• If you have ever experienced a loss of vision due to a stroke of the eye
• If you have experienced a stroke in the past six months  

Drug interactions

Cialis should not be taken alongside nitrates.  Before you start taking Cialis you should inform your doctor about any additional medications you are taking. Particular care should be taken if you are using: 

• Alpha blockers to treat high blood pressure or benign prostatic hyperplasia
• High blood pressure medication 
• Riocuguat
• Protease inhibitors
• Ketoconazole tablets
• Anticonvulsant medicines
• Rifampicin
• Erythromycin 
• Clarithromycin
• Itraconazole
• Additional treatments for erectile dysfunction  

Cialis and heavy machinery/driving

Taking Cialis can cause dizziness or it may affect your vision so you should avoid driving and operating heavy machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.  

Nitrates and Cialis

Cialis has some drug interactions like most medicine and must not be taken with any form of nitrate medicine such as GTN, nicorandil, “poppers” etc.

Can I drink alcohol when taking Cialis?

Moderate consumption of alcohol shouldn't cause problems while taking Cialis. However, excessive drinking can interact with the drug, leading to orthostatic hypotension. Signs of this include dizziness, headaches and feeling faint. Both alcohol and Cialis can lower your blood pressure so care should be taken when mixing the two.

Cialis vs Cialis Daily

Cialis is prescribed for one-off uses whereas Cialis Daily is taken on a long term basis every day as a smaller dose.

Cialis vs Tadalafil

Tadalafil is the generic name of the medicine contained in Cialis. Cialis is the brand name that it is produced under.

Cialis vs Levitra and Viagra

Levitra and Viagra are two other medications to help erectile dysfunction. They all work in a similar way but Levitra and Viagra last for 4-6 hours in contrast to Cialis which last for 36 hours. Underlying health conditions and other medications may affect each drug differently. Your doctor will prescribe you with the one most suitable for you. 

Cialis and psychological ED

If your erectile dysfunction is caused by a medical issue or physical impairment then Cialis is likely to provide a great deal of help. However, if the root cause is psychological, taking medication may mask the problem. Often the difficulty gaining an erection is due to anxiety. Being willing to confront what these anxieties are and discussing it with your partner may help you to feel relaxed in sexual situations.

Lifestyle changes to make when taking Cialis

Reducing stress and anxiety can improve erectile dysfunction. Chronic stress has a significant impact on your body so taking time to learn how to manage stress and practice self care can help. Talking to your partner about any sexual anxieties is also a healthy step to take. A healthy diet, exercise, losing weight and cutting down on alcohol and smoking are all things that help.

Can I Take Cialis Regularly?

As mentioned in the Cialis dosages section, Cialis 10mg and 20mg are taken on an as needed basis, approx. 30mins before sex and should not be taken for daily use. If you require Cialis on a daily basis you should opt for Cialis daily 2.5mg or 5mg dosages which are more suitable.

Do I need a prescription for Cialis?

Yes, Cialis is licensed by the MHRA (uk regulator for medicine) as a prescription only medicine. This means only a registered GP can prescribe Cialis tablets and a registered pharmacist can dispense the medicine. You can see your regular GP to request tadalafil (Cialis) tablets or use online doctor & pharmacy services like Dr Felix to safely order Cialis online. Our doctors issue a prescription after assessing your answers only if you are suitable. Our UK NHS pharmacy will dispense the prescription and send your medicine out in plain and discreet post.

Is Cialis a cure?

Cialis is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction but it is not designed to cure the underlying cause.

Will Cialis give me an erection for hours?

Cialis gives you erection assistance for 36 hours but you will only get an erection if you are sexually stimulated within this time period.

Why doesn't Cialis work for me?

Cialis doesn’t work for everyone but many men find that they need to try it a few times before finding out how to make it work for them. Remember, the medication will only work if you feel aroused and are stimulated sexually during foreplay. It also works better on an empty stomach so if you take it after a meal you won’t get the full effect of it. Cialis takes a few hours to work so you may want to try taking it 2-3 hours before you plan to have sex. 

Can Cialis lower blood pressure?

If you are taking medication for high blood pressure then Cialis can increase the effects of it. You should let your doctor know before you start taking it. 

Can Cialis treat enlarged prostate?

Yes, Cialis can be used to treat an enlarged prostate. It helps to relieve the symptoms by relaxing the muscle in both the prostate and bladder, easing difficulties in urinating. 

Can Cialis cause headaches? Are they dangerous?

Headaches are a common side effect of taking Cialis. They are not generally dangerous but if you have a history of migraines, low or high blood pressure or heart disease then you should inform your doctor. If headaches are combined with dizziness and feeling faint this can be a sign of low blood pressure.

Sources

• Patient Information Leaflet
• Healthline > Cialis & Alcohol
• PsychologyToday > Healing Erectile Dysfunction
• MensHealth > Common Erectile Dysfunction Medication Mistakes