Drawbacks of Cialis

Cialis (Tadalafil) is a common oral treatment prescribed for those suffering from erectile dysfunction. This is quite a common condition experienced by men with around 1 in 5 men being diagnosed with erectile dysfunction in the UK. Half of its sufferers choose to ignore the condition and not seek treatment and one main reason is the feeling of embarrassment about it. Some men believe that having erectile dysfunction reduces their ‘masculinity’ so they choose not to talk about it.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition where a man cannot start or get an erection that is hard enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. It is also sometimes referred to as ‘impotence’.
It is the result of a reduced blood supply going to the penis and can include reduced nervous stimulation. Any interruption to the blood flow to the penis will reduce the chance of an erection happening and they can be physical or psychological causes.
However, occasional erectile dysfunction is common and not something to worry about. All men have some good days and some bad days. Problems that lead to stress and anxiety or not enough sexual arousal or simply not wanting to ‘get in the mood’ are all common reasons for lack of an erection. If it is an ongoing problem that potentially affects relationships, then really medical help should be sought. In some men, their self – confidence is affected and can even lead to depression and some couples who plan to have children may find difficulty in conceiving as a consequence of erectile dysfunction, so the condition should not be taken lightly.

 

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Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Most cases of erectile dysfunction are either physical or psychological or both. Possible physical causes of erectile dysfunction include:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Obesity
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • These physical causes generally reduce the blood supply to the penis, or in some cases nervous stimulation is affected.

Possible psychological causes of erectile dysfunction include:

  • Depression
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Other mental health conditions

These psychological causes usually reduce arousal and nervous stimulation which affect the ability to gain an erection.

 

Treatment

The main treatments available in the UK are classed as ‘Phospho-diesterase 5 Inhibitors’ (PDE-5 Inhibitors) and they work by blocking an enzyme that would normally cause blood vessels to narrow and reduce blood supply. As a result, these oral treatments for erectile dysfunction increase blood supply to the penis and help with getting and maintaining a satisfactory erection. The duration of action and choosing which treatment to take is based on individual needs and preferences. For example, Cialis can work up to 36 hours whereas Viagra can last up to 4 hours.

How Cialis should be taken:

In combination with sexual stimulation, Tadalafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection. It is important to note that Cialis does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhoea, syphilis). So you should practice “safe sex” such as using condoms. Tadalafil is usually prescribed at 10mg starting dose and can be increased to maximum 20mg strength. It is recommended to be taken at least 30 minutes before your planned sexual activity and its effect may last up to 36 hours. A maximum of one tablet in 24 hours should be taken and it is best taken on an empty stomach so that maximum absorption and quicker effects can be experienced.

What are the drawbacks of Cialis?

The drawbacks of Cialis can probably be regarded as the type of person who cannot take the tablet due to other medical conditions (see below). However, Cialis is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and it really depends upon you taking the tablet in the right way and at the right time.
Firstly, a common misconception for the erectile dysfunction oral treatments such as Cialis is that as soon as the tablet is taken, an erection is experienced almost immediately and for the whole 36-hour duration of action of the tablet! This is not true because an erection will only happen in response to sexual stimulation. Sexual arousal will allow the tablet to work and the blood to flow, so you should plan for the sexual activity in advance and be prepared.
So to get the maximise the benefit from taking Cialis tablet, ensure that there is some arousal to allow an erection to be produced. Sometimes, not enough sexual arousal can be a cause for the lack of erection and not the medication itself. It is not really a drawback to the effectiveness of Cialis but rather a very important counselling point to be aware of!
Taking the Cialis tablet on an empty stomach also increases effectiveness. If you have a meal just before you take the tablet (especially a high – fat meal), it can delay the absorption of the medication. Any delay in absorption will slow down the effectiveness of the tablet and this is quite easily avoided by simply taking Levitra on an empty stomach.
A common cause for a lack of effectiveness of Cialis is when the prescribed strength is not high enough. Most men are started on a 10mg strength provided they are in good health overall. If you are not experiencing sufficient erections with this strength, then you would probably be increased to 20mg. There is also a once – daily preparation of 5mg strength tablets if you find that you need more regular sexual activity. So make sure you have a consultation with your doctor to decide which strength works best for you.

All medicines come with side effects and Cialis is no exception. They include:

  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea (feeling sick)
  • Facial flushing
  • Nasal congestion

Most of these side effects are generally mild and will go away after time. Some men experience more or stronger side effects with one medication over another, so each person is different. Some of these side effects can be managed through doing simple things such as taking paracetamol for headaches (which will wear off eventually), taking indigestion remedies for upset stomach and eating ginger biscuits which can be good for nausea. As always with any medication, if the side effects become troublesome you should see your doctor or pharmacist. To reduce the risk of dizziness and light-headedness which is quite common, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Who should not take Cialis?

The following conditions are contraindicated with this drug (but not limited to):

  • multiple myeloma
  • Leukaemia
  • Sickle Cell Anaemia
  • increased risk of bleeding due to a clotting disorder
  • alcohol intoxication
  • hearing loss
  • Severe Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

Your doctor will know your suitability for taking Cialis when prescribing and if you have any concerns ask your doctor.
Rarely, a sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness, may occur. Stop taking Cialis and get medical help right away if these effects occur. In the rare event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur. This is called Priapism and is a risk with all PDE-5 Inhibitors. Priapism is where a man has a painful and sustained erection for longer than 4 hours. It is treated as a medical emergency and you should ring 999 or go to A&E if this happens. Priapism is a rare risk and is associated with all of the erectile dysfunction treatments that work in the same way as Cialis. If you do not seek treatment early enough, there may be permanent damage to the penis and so this should be avoided at all costs.

 

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References:

  1. BNF.org/Tadalafil
  2. Nhs.org.uk/erectile dysfunction
  3. www.treated.com/erectiledysfunction/cialis
  4. MedicalNewsToday Cialis; ‘What is it and who can use it?’ (August 2017)

Mens Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected].