Tadalafil: Brand Name, Uses, Side Effects And More
Read our guide to tadalafil, its brand name and how it could help you boost your erectile function.
Looking for an erectile dysfunction treatment? If you are, it's likely you've seen many generic and brand-name medications that can help improve your sexual performance. Tadalafil is one of the most common drugs we here at ZipHealth prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction, but you might know it better by its brand-name: Cialis.
Here's our guide to tadalafil, its brand name and how it could help you boost your erectile function.
What is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is an oral medication that belongs to a drug class known as PDE5 inhibitors, which help improve blood flow.
It's available as an on-demand pill, taken as and when you need it, and a smaller daily dose.
What is Tadalafil's brand name?
Tadalafil is also prescribed as the brand-name drug Cialis. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly developed a patent on Cialis in 1997. The FDA approved Cialis as an erectile dysfunction treatment six years later.
Cialis and tadalafil are medically equivalent. Tadalafil is the name of the active drug, while Cialis is the brand-name medication. Eli Lilly's Cialis patent expired in 2018, so generic Tadalafil can now be produced by any manufacturer and sold for a much lower price than the branded version.
What is Tadalafil used for?
Tadalafil was originally developed to treat heart disease, but it was discovered during clinical studies that this medication could also help with erectile dysfunction (ED). Now, Tadalafil is most commonly used in the treatment of ED, but it's also approved to help people with pulmonary hypertension to improve their ability to exercise.
How does Tadalafil work?
Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, a type of drug that helps to relax the smooth muscles around your blood vessels. This helps to increase blood flow into your penis when you experience sexual stimulation, making it easier to get prolonged erections during sex.
The on-demand dose of Tadalafil takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working, and can help you get erections any time you're aroused over a 36-hour period. If you take the daily dose, you maintain a steady level of the medication in your bloodstream, so you can get an erection whenever you want to have sex.
How effective is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is clinically proven to be an effective medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction with around 80% finding that it improves their erectile function.
Does Tadalafil have any side effects?
Like many prescription drugs, Tadalafil has some common side effects, including:
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
- Facial flushing
- Indigestion
These are usually minor and tend to settle within an hour of you taking the pill.
More rarely, you may experience some adverse effects. These are more likely if you have underlying medical conditions, or take medications that cause a drug interaction. Seek medical attention if you notice:
- A sudden decrease in blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision, or loss of vision
- A prolonged, painful erection
- Allergic reaction
You should speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice before trying tadalafil if you have cardiovascular disease, or have recently experienced a heart attack or stroke.
Interested in Tadalafil, or any other treatments for erectile dysfunction? Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.