| Usage |
Tadalafil is available in tablet form for oral consumption and can be taken with or without food, depending on your doctor's guidance and the specific dosing regimen. There are two primary ways to take Tadalafil: daily or as needed. Your doctor will help you determine the most suitable dosing schedule for your needs.
If you're using Tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you can take it as needed, typically about 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activity, and no more frequently than once every 24 hours. Your healthcare provider will assist you in determining the optimal timing for taking Tadalafil before sexual activity. Alternatively, Tadalafil can be taken once daily, regardless of the timing of sexual activity. With this approach, you can attempt sexual activity at any time between doses. If you're on a daily schedule, strive to take Tadalafil at approximately the same time each day. Should you have specific health conditions or be taking particular medications, your doctor might advise less frequent dosing or prescribe a lower daily dose. Always adhere to your prescription label's instructions, and don't alter the dosage or frequency without consulting your healthcare professional.
For individuals taking Tadalafil to address pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the recommended regimen is typically once a day. Take all the prescribed tablets in one daily dose, without splitting them into separate doses. Ensure consistency in the timing of your daily Tadalafil intake. If you're already using medication for BPH, your doctor may advise discontinuing it at least one day before commencing Tadalafil treatment. Follow your doctor's instructions closely, and seek clarification from your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any aspect is unclear.
Should you be taking Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, your doctor will likely initiate treatment with an average dose and may adjust it based on your response to the medication. If you find Tadalafil ineffective or experience adverse effects, promptly inform your doctor. For those using Tadalafil to manage PAH, remember that it controls the condition but does not provide a cure. Continue taking Tadalafil even if you feel well, and never discontinue its use without consulting your doctor. You can also request a copy of the manufacturer's patient information from your pharmacist or doctor.
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| Side Effects |
Tadalafil may lead to side effects. If any of the following symptoms are severe or persistent, inform your doctor:
• Headache
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Flushing
• Abdominal discomfort, backache, muscle pain, arm pain, or leg pain
• Cough
Certain side effects require immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical help if you experience any of the following:
• Sudden decrease or loss of vision (details below)
• Blurred vision
• Changes in color vision, such as seeing a blue tinge on objects or having difficulty distinguishing between blue and green
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing (details below)
• Ringing in the ears
• Erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Hives
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Enlargement or puffiness in the facial area, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Blistering or peeling of the skin
Some individuals have reported a sudden loss of vision, either partial or complete, following the use of tadalafil or similar medications. In some cases, this vision loss has been permanent. The exact cause of this vision loss is uncertain. If you encounter a sudden loss of vision while taking tadalafil, promptly contact your doctor or seek emergency medical care. Do not take additional doses of tadalafil or similar medications like sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra) or vardenafil (Levitra) until you've consulted with your doctor.
Similarly, some individuals have experienced a sudden decrease or complete loss of hearing, often affecting only one ear and sometimes persisting even after discontinuing the medication. The cause of this hearing loss is also unknown. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, accompanied by ringing in the ears or dizziness, while taking tadalafil, contact your doctor immediately. As with vision loss, refrain from taking more doses of tadalafil or similar medications until you've spoken with your doctor.
Tadalafil may cause additional side effects not mentioned here. If you encounter any unusual problems while using this medication, reach out to your doctor for guidance
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| Storage |
To ensure the safe storage and disposal of this medication, follow these guidelines:
• Keep the medication in its original container, securely sealed, and out of the reach of children.
• Store it at room temperature, avoiding exposure to excessive heat and moisture (avoid storing it in the bathroom).
• Dispose of any unnecessary medications in a manner that prevents access by pets, children, or others. Do not flush this medication down the toilet.
• For proper disposal, consider participating in a medicine take-back program. You can inquire about such programs from your pharmacist or your local garbage/recycling department.
• Remember the importance of keeping all medications out of sight and reach of children, as some containers, including weekly pill organizers and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers, may not be child-resistant, making them easy for young children to open. To prevent accidental poisoning, always secure safety caps and promptly place medications in a secure location that is out of children's sight and reach.
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| Special Precautions |
Before initiating tadalafil treatment, it's crucial to communicate the following information to your doctor and pharmacist:
• Any known allergies to tadalafil, other medications, or any components in tadalafil tablets. You can request a list of the ingredients from your pharmacist.
• Current or recent use of riociguat (Adempas) or nitrates, such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitromist, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates are available in various forms, including tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes, and ointments. If you're uncertain whether any of your medications contain nitrates, consult your doctor, as they may advise against taking tadalafil if nitrates are in your regimen.
• Use of street drugs containing nitrates ("poppers") like amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, or nitrite, while taking tadalafil. Similar advice may be given by your doctor regarding street drugs containing nitrates.
• Tadalafil is available under the brand names Adcirca and Cialis, and you should only use one of these products at any given time.
• Full disclosure of all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Be sure to mention medications such as alpha-blockers (e.g., alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin), antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors, high blood pressure medications, and others, as your doctor may need to adjust doses or monitor you closely for side effects.
• Usage of herbal products, especially St. John's wort.
• Inform your doctor if you smoke, have experienced prolonged erections, or recently had conditions like diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, or sweating, which can lead to fluid loss. Additionally, report any history of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD), conditions affecting penile shape, diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure irregularities, heart problems (including angina, heart attack, and heart failure), stroke, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, circulation problems, blood cell disorders (like sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia), kidney disease, liver disease, eye diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa or sudden vision loss), or if any family members share similar eye conditions or vision loss history.
• For women using tadalafil to treat PAH, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. In case of pregnancy while on tadalafil, contact your doctor.
• If surgery is in your future, including dental procedures, alert your healthcare provider about your tadalafil usage.
• Discuss the safe consumption of alcoholic beverages during tadalafil treatment with your doctor. Consuming a large amount of alcohol (over five glasses of wine or five shots of whiskey) while taking tadalafil may increase the likelihood of certain side effects like dizziness, headaches, rapid heartbeat, and low blood pressure.
• If tadalafil is intended for erectile dysfunction treatment, let your doctor know if a healthcare professional ever advised you to abstain from sexual activity for medical reasons or if you have previously experienced chest pain during sexual activity. Sexual activity can strain the heart, particularly in individuals with heart disease. If chest pain, dizziness, or nausea occurs during sexual activity, contact your doctor immediately, seek emergency medical care, and refrain from sexual activity until instructed otherwise.
• Ensure all healthcare providers are aware of your tadalafil use. In the event of emergency treatment for a heart condition, this information will be essential.
This comprehensive communication will aid in safe and effective tadalafil therapy.
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