Side Effects of Tadalafil and How To Manage Them

When it comes to treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Tadalafil is one the most popular medicine.

It has the longest duration of effect among all the Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. 

Tadalafil can be effective in the body for upto 36 hours, much longer than others (4 to 6 hours). 

Tadalafil, commonly known as Cialis, relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood flow. 

It is highly effective in treating ED, PAH, or BPH. However, like any other medicine, it has some side effects.

It is essential to understand the side effects of Tadalafil to minimize the risk and get the desired results. 

This article will discuss all the side effects of Tadalafil and tips to manage them.

Side Effects of Tadalafil

Medicines are designed to exert a specific effect on the body and treat a particular condition or symptom.

For example, painkillers target the nervous system to reduce pain, antibiotics target bacteria to fight infections, and Tadalafil targets the vascular system to improve blood flow.

Although medicines are designed to be accurate while targeting the body part with the disease, they are not 100% accurate.

When you take a medicine, it interacts with various biological systems and can affect not only the targeted area but also other parts of the body. Thus, leading to side effects.

Some of the side effects are common, and some are very rare.

Common Side Effects of Tadalafil

The common side effects of Tadalafil generally occur in most people. However, they are mild and diminish as the body adjusts to the medication.

Some of the most common Cialis side effects are:

• Headaches
• Facial flushing
• Indigestion 
• Muscle pain
• Nasal congestion
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting

These side effects are normal, and you should not worry about them if they are mild. If they become severe, consult your doctor.

Serious Side Effects of Tadalafil

Serious side effects of Tadalafil are rare and relatively uncommon in most people. 

Serious side effect includes:

• Priapism – Tadalafil can cause Priapism, a painful and prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours. It causes permanent damage to the penis and requires immediate medical attention.

• Sudden vision loss – In rare cases, Tadalafil can cause sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. This may indicate a serious eye problem called Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION).

• Cardiovascular issues – Cialis may lead to chest pain or irregular heartbeat, particularly in individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

• Severe Hypotension: Tadalafil can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or even shock, especially when taken with other medications like Nitrates or Alpha-blockers. 

Source: Pixelshot

If you ever experience the following side effects, stop taking the medication and seek medical help immediately.

How to Manage The Side Effects of Tadalafil

You should only manage the common and mild side effects of Tadalafil by yourself. If side effects are severe, contact a doctor immediately for help.

You may only need to manage the mild side effects until your body adjusts to the medication.

Here are some strategies to address common side effects of Tadalafil:

• Headaches – If you feel headache, use over-the-counter painkillers like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. 

• Indigestion – To reduce the problem of indigestion, take Cialis with or after the meal. Avoid spicy and junk food that may cause digestive problems.

• Facial Flushing – Avoid warm environments and excessive sweating. Keep yourself cool and dress in lightweight and breathable clothing.

• Muscle Aches – Use painkillers to relieve the pain. In the affected areas, apply a hot or cold compress.

Besides these, monitor vision and hearing, manage cardiovascular health, identify and manage allergies and avoid alcohol. 

Always follow the prescribed schedule and keep consulting your doctor regularly.

Factors That Can Increase The Risk of Side Effects From Tadalafil

There are certain factors that can affect the way your body process Tadalafil and increase the risk of side effects. 

These factors include other pre-existing diseases, slow metabolism, interaction with other medication, age, etc.

Here we will discuss some of them in detail.

Pre-existing Diseases

Diseases like liver and kidney disease can increase the risk of side effects. The liver and kidneys are responsible for the metabolism and elimination of the medications.

If the liver and kidneys are not functioning properly, it may cause drug accumulation. This accumulation may lead to drug overdose and increase the intensity of other side effects.

Other Medications

Some medicines can interact with Cialis and increase the risk of side effects. These include Nitrates, Alpha-blockers, some antibiotics, some antifungals, etc.

Nitrate and Alpha-blockers are the two with the worst outcomes. If taken with Tadalafil, they can drop the blood pressure to a dangerous level.

Slow Metabolism

Other factors may also decrease metabolism leading to drug accumulation. 

Older age is one of the most common factors causing slow metabolism. Some diseases and treatments like Cancer treatments also reduce metabolic rate.

Lack of physical activity also reduces the metabolic rate of the body. 

It is recommended to follow a healthy lifestyle and exercise daily. It will minimize the risk of side effects of Cialis and improve overall health.

Conclusion

Tadalafil is a medication for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED), PAH, and BPH. It relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Like every medicine, Tadalafil has some side effects. Some of these side effects are common, and some are rare. 

Common side effects of Tadalafil include muscle pain, headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Serious side effects of Cialis include Priapism, sudden vision loss, cardiovascular issues, severe hypotension, etc.

Certain factors like disease, medications, and age can intensify side effects. 

Therefore, it is advisable to follow the prescribed dosage to avoid the risk of side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

• nhs.uk
• accessdata.fda.gov
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• drugs.com