CIALIS TADALAFIL: All You Need to Know

Cialis (tadalafil) is a medication mainly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and also for the treatment of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

1. Mechanism of action for treating ED

- Tadalafil works by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). In the penis, sexual stimulation causes the release of nitric oxide (NO). NO activates an enzyme that produces cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels of the penis, allowing increased blood flow into the penis and resulting in an erection. PDE5 breaks down cGMP. By inhibiting PDE5, tadalafil helps to maintain higher levels of cGMP, thus facilitating and sustaining erections.

2. Use in treating BPH

- In the context of BPH, tadalafil helps to relax the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, which can improve urinary symptoms such as difficulty in starting urination, weak urine stream, and the need to urinate frequently.

3. Dosage and administration

- The dosage may vary depending on the condition being treated. For erectile dysfunction, a typical starting dose might be 10 mg, taken as needed prior to sexual activity. However, the dose can be adjusted based on individual response and tolerability, with a maximum dose of 20 mg in a 24 - hour period.

- For the treatment of BPH, a daily dose of 5 mg is often used.

4. Precautions and side effects

- Precautions:

- Tadalafil should not be used in combination with nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) as this can cause a significant and potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure.

- It should be used with caution in patients with certain cardiovascular conditions, liver or kidney problems.

- Side effects:

- Common side effects may include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and nasal congestion. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as vision or hearing problems may occur.