What is Cialis (tadalafil)?
Tadalafil (Cialis®) is a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotence), developed by the biotech ICOS. The generic name for this compound is tadalafil. The tablet are yellow and oval-shaped. Cialis's main selling points: It works for up to 36 hours after being swallowed and can be taken with or without food. It has the same mode of action as Viagra®, and Levitra.
Cialis received approval for use in the United States November 21, 2003. Cialis is a member of a family of drugs known as PDE5 enzyme inhibitors. Cialis is known as the " 36 hour pill" or the "weekend pill" because unlike other similar drugs, Cialis has a long duration of action. Cialis blocks an enzyme that causes an erection to go flaccid.
Although Cialis is similar to Levitra and Viagra, its dose, onset of action, and duration of action is unique. Cialis is a member of a family of drugs called PDE5 Inhibitors. Cialis is now marketed in approximately 40 countries and is available by prescription in pharmacies on five continents.
Cialis is not an aphrodisiac. It will not increase sexual drive. Cialis works by helping the blood vessels in the penis to relax, allowing blood to flow into the penis causing an erection. For Cialis to be effective, sexual stimulation is required. Men who do not have erectile dysfunction should not take Cialis.
Both Cialis and Viagra work in the same way. Although no direct comparative research has been carried out, both drugs appear to be similar in how effective they are for men with erectile dysfunction. Cialis does differ from Viagra in that it has been shown to work for up to 24 hours, although this does not mean the man gets an erection for 24 hours because Cialis only works when he is sexually stimulated. In addition, Cialis is not affected by food so can be taken with a meal and its effects remain unchanged.
As Cialis enhances the actions of the chemical messengers responsible for producing an erection, it will only work once these messengers are present. This means that sexual stimulation is required for it to produce and maintain an erection. The dose should be taken at least 30 minutes before intended intercourse, and it may produce an erection in response to sexual stimulation for up to 36 hours after taking the dose.
The recommended starting dose of tadalafil for most patients is 10 mg taken orally approximately 1 hour before sexual activity. The dose may be adjusted higher to 20 mg or lower to 5 mg depending on efficacy and tolerability. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day, although for many patients tadalafil can be taken less frequently since the improvement in erectile function may last 36 hours. Tadalafil may be taken with or without food.
Cialis is available in 2 doses: 10 mg and 20 mg. Cialis can work in 30 minutes, but peak results usually take longer. Cialis has the advantage of a much longer period (24-36 hours) during which sexual ability is increased. Cialis may be used with the alpha-blocker medication Flomax but not with other alpha-blocker medications.
Men taking nitrates or or alpha blockers are not supposed to take Cialis because it could cause blood pressure problems. Some of the side effects of the drug include back ache, stomach ache, muslce aches, or headaches. The company advises that in the rare event that an erection lasts for more than four hours that the man should seek emergency medical attention. |
