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KEY POINTS
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Type of medicine: PDE-5 inhibitor; erectile dysfunction therapy
Generic and brand names: tadalafil, oral; Cialis
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat erectile dysfunction (when a man is unable to get and keep his penis erect for sexual intercourse). It may also be used to treat an enlarged prostate. This medicine is prescribed for men only.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
This medicine can interact with many other medicines and cause harmful side effects. It is very important that you tell your healthcare provider about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, or supplements you take.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take your dosage of this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more than prescribed. Do not take this medicine more than once a day.
This medicine is not for use in children. Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole.
Carefully follow your healthcare provider's instructions for when you should take this medicine for erectile dysfunction and how often. This medicine can improve erectile function for up to 36 hours after you take it. If you are taking it for erectile dysfunction, there must be some sexual stimulation in order for this medicine to work. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you take this medicine to treat an enlarged prostate, take it at the same time each day.
If you take this medicine regularly once a day and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses and do not take more than one dose a day. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.
This medicine may affect your vision. If you have a sudden loss of vision, contact your healthcare provider right away. You may also have blurred vision, problems with night vision, or trouble telling the difference between blue and green. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may cause sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with dizziness or ringing in the ears. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Alcohol may increase your chances of getting a headache or dizzy, increasing your heart rate, or lowering your blood pressure. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
Rarely, this medicine may cause a painful erection of the penis that does not return to normal within 4 hours. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider or get medical care right away. It can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction if not treated.
The use of this medicine does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. If you need emergency medical care for a heart problem, it is very important you inform the healthcare provider when you last took this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe headache; sudden trouble with vision, speech, balance, or walking.
Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours; dizziness; fainting; rash; chest pain; fast or pounding heartbeat; trouble breathing; loss of vision or abnormal vision (eyes sensitive to light, blurred vision, change in color vision); loss of hearing or ringing in the ears; severe nausea or vomiting.
Other: Headache, mild nausea, flushing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, back pain, muscle aches, pain or burning when urinating, diarrhea.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do NOT eat or drink products that contain grapefruit, Seville oranges, and tangelos at any time while you are taking this medicine. These fruits and juices affect the way this medicine works and increase your risk of serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.