So it’s been a great night out, you’ve gotten more than your fair share of “liquid confidence” at the bar, and now you’re ready for some action between the sheets.
And if you’re among the hundreds of millions of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) worldwide, you might have found yourself asking the question: “Can I take tadalafil when I’ve already had a drink (or two)?”
We’ll make it short but sweet: yes, you can take tadalafil (Cialis®) with alcohol – with a few caveats.
Knocking back a few drinks or cocktails while taking tadalafil will probably not affect or reduce the ED drug’s proven effects.
However, if you’re planning to go on an all-night binge, you will increase the likelihood of developing unpleasant side effects associated with tadalafil.
After all, studies suggest that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over an extended time can increase a person’s chances of developing ED.
And all men know this to be true: a night of heavy drinking can lead to performance issues at the most inopportune times. Excessive drinking can lead to “brewer’s droop” or “whiskey dick.” No matter what your preferred libation is, data suggests that overconsumption can lead to impacted performance.
If you drink alcohol regularly, you need to know the effects of mixing alcohol with your prescription drugs, including tadalafil.
That’s because alcohol use can worsen ED – the primary medical condition tadalafil is prescribed to treat.
What is tadalafil (Cialis®)?
Tadalafil, first introduced by pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Co in 2003 as Cialis®, is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, otherwise known as impotence. Numerous studies attest to its safety and effectiveness as a treatment for ED symptoms.
Cialis® is a brand name for tadalafil, the active ingredient responsible for its effects. Cialis® is also available in a generic version called tadalafil, with the same effects, duration, and side effects as its branded counterpart. The only difference between generic tadalafil and Cialis® is that the former is significantly cheaper.
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How does tadalafil work?
Tadalafil belongs to the PDE5 inhibitor category of drugs, along with other ED drugs like sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and avanafil (Stendra®).
And while its category may sound like a mouthful, PDE5 inhibitor drugs share the same mechanism of action to help you produce an erection: they relax smooth muscles in the penis and open up the blood vessels and arteries to increase blood flow in the area.
Tadalafil is used to treat ED and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The latter condition is also known as prostate enlargement. In addition, tadalafil 20 mg is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, better known by its brand Adcirca®.
Although tadalafil works similarly to other ED drugs, it lasts much longer – sildenafil (Viagra®) lasts up to four hours, while tadalafil works for as long as 36 hours after taking a single dose.
Tadalafil is available as an oral tablet taken as needed, ideally 30 minutes before sexual activity and not more than once daily.
Can you mix tadalafil and alcohol?
Tadalafil works by opening up the blood vessels in your penile muscles. But it also does the same thing throughout your body. Its vasodilatory effect leads to a reduction in blood pressure.
However, like tadalafil and its PDE5 inhibitor ilk, alcohol has the same effect on your blood vessels, opening them up so that blood flows more freely.
Therefore, combining tadalafil and alcohol might cause your blood pressure levels to drop massively, causing dizziness. And if a short brush with vertigo isn’t enough to turn down that sixth beer, alcohol is proven to make it harder to “get wood.”
“Whiskey dick” isn’t an old wives’ tale – it’s very real, and it can diminish the effects of drugs like tadalafil.
Does alcohol cause erectile dysfunction?
One of the primary causes of erectile and sexual dysfunction in men is alcohol abuse.
In a study conducted on men dependent on alcohol, nearly three in four subjects had one or more symptoms of sexual dysfunction, with premature ejaculation, low libido, and ED as the top talkers.
It was suggested that the amount of alcohol consumed tends to be the biggest predictor of sexual dysfunction in men.
Here’s some good news, though: ED arising from alcohol abuse can be treated or cured at the source by curtailing or abstaining from alcohol use.
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Can I take tadalafil and alcohol simultaneously?
Again, enjoying alcohol in moderation while taking tadalafil is unlikely to cause any side effects, but overindulgence may lead to harmful interactions.
Tadalafil and alcohol may act as vasodilators, which could lower your blood pressure and increase the likelihood of developing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fainting spells.
Such symptoms could be serious or life-threatening for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or low blood pressure.
That said, it’s best to reduce alcohol intake or abstain from it entirely while taking tadalafil.
The key here is moderation: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate drinking is two drinks a day for men, with one drink defined as a 12 oz glass of beer, 5 oz glass of wine, or a 1.5 oz shot of liquor.
Conclusion: is it safe to take tadalafil and alcohol?
We get it – sometimes, there’s nothing more you want than to knock back a few cold ones with some good company, and you don’t want to obsess over how it might affect your ED regimen.
For as long as you drink in moderation, you should be perfectly fine. But always remember that the more alcohol you consume, the more it may affect your ability to get an erection.
Moderate drinking is unlikely to cause any serious complications, but it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about possible interactions between your chosen ED drug and your alcohol consumption before taking the plunge.
If you have any doubts or more questions about taking tadalafil and alcohol simultaneously, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or healthcare provider.
