Tadalafil Review
Tadalafil is one of the more popular and well know erectile dysfunction medications (after Viagra), and you may recognise the brand name of it; Cialis. It was not long ago when little was known of erectile physiology, and adequate treatment was still “someday” away. Prior to the turn of the century, the pharmacologic treatment options for ED were cumbersome and invasive, limited to intracavernosal injections or intraurethral pellets. Everything changed when oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors became available, completely revolutionizing the treatment of ED of all severities and etiologies. Pfizer introduced the first PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil (Viagra®; Pfizer, New York, NY, USA), in March of 1998, and over the past years, the new oral pharmacologic therapy together with an unbridled acceptance and newfound candor by the general public has not only dramatically increased the awareness and prevalence of ED but also made treatment of the disease simple and effective. Once one of the most frustrating and refractory diseases for the urologic specialist, ED is now enthusiastically discussed and treated in the primary care setting. (1) In November 2017 the patent on the popular Erectile Dysfunction (ED) medication Cialis, came to an end. This means a none branded, or generic version of the medication, known as Tadalafil, is now available to those suffering from ED symptoms, at a lower price.
Does Cialis work the same way as Viagra?
Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil and Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil. Both belong to a class of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors work only in the presence of sexual stimulation, as they rely on the natural release of nitric oxide (NO), a chemical only released during sexual arousal. NO, in turn, activates other substances to relax the smooth muscle inside the penis to allow the inflow of blood and an erection to occur. PDE5 inhibitors enhance the effect of NO. Cialis has an advantage over Viagra in that it lasts a lot longer for up to 36 hours compared with 4-5 hours for Viagra. Also, Viagra could
take up to an hour to work whereas Cialis takes about half that time. The onset of action of tadalafil may occur in as early as 15 minutes of dosing, although successful erections occur in fewer than 40% of men at this time point.
Is there any difference between Tadalafil and its branded version Cialis?
No, not at all. They are exactly thTadalafil_8TAB 20MGe same medication in the same quantities, it’s just the packaging that is different. There is no difference in quality or effectiveness.
Can women take Tadalafil?
The short answer is no. There has been no research that has been done to determine how safe it is for women to take Cialis and the effect it would have.
How does tadalafil work?
As mentioned, Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medicines prevent an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 from working too quickly. The penis is one of the areas where this enzyme works.
Erectile dysfunction is a condition where the penis does not harden and expand when a man is sexually excited, or when he cannot keep an erection. When a man is sexually stimulated, his body’s normal response is to increase blood flow to his penis to produce an erection. By controlling the enzyme, tadalafil helps to maintain an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis. Without physical action to the penis, such as that occurring during sexual intercourse, tadalafil will not work to cause an erection. Studies suggest that ED is a common disorder in men, affecting up to 52% of men between the age of 40 and 70 years.
Does age play a role in ED?
Age alone does not lead to ED. ED can be treated no matter your age (CIALIS is only for men aged 18 or older). ED is often caused by other health problems that your doctor should know about, like heart disease or diabetes—which are also more common with age.
There can be many reasons for ED, most men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection. This is usually due to stress, tiredness, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol, and it’s nothing to worry about. If it happens more often, it may be caused by physical or emotional problems.
The best way to prevent erectile dysfunction is to make healthy lifestyle choices and to manage any existing health conditions. For example:
Work with your doctor to manage diabetes, heart disease or other chronic health conditions.
See your doctor for regular checkups and medical screening tests.
Stop smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, and don’t use illegal drugs.
Exercise regularly.
Take steps to reduce stress.
Get help for anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns.
How is Tadalafil taken?
Tadalafil is unique in the fact that it is available in two formulations in the branded version; Cialis for daily use and Cialis for use as needed
Cialis/Tadalafil for daily use (2.5 mg)
Take Cialis daily
You can attempt sex anytime between doses
No need to plan around a pill
With a 2.5 mg or 5 mg tablet once a day, you may be able to have successful intercourse in as early as 4 to 5 days
Do not take more than one time each day
Cialis/Tadalafil for use as needed (10 mg, 20 mg)
Take Cialis when you need it
Cialis 20 mg can last for up to 36 hours
A 20 mg dose works in as little as 30 minutes in some men
Do not take more than one time each day. (11)
Recommended starting doses of tadalafil are 10 mg for on-demand dosing and 2.5 mg for once-daily dosing, and these doses can then be titrated up or down according to the efficacy and tolerability.
