Tadalafil (brand name Cialis) is an erectile dysfunction (ED) drug belonging to the PDE5 inhibitor class of medicines, which coincidentally includes sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).
PDE5 inhibitors work by enhancing blood flow throughout the body –– including the penis –– when the body is in a state of arousal to help men with ED produce erections. It must be noted that tadalafil doesn’t produce erections immediately after taking it –– you need to be aroused and in the mood for sexual activity for it to work.
One of the main draws of tadalafil is its 36-hour window of effectiveness, allowing men with ED to enjoy more spontaneous sex when taking it in small daily doses.
Here are some tips to get the most out of your tadalafil experience.
Determine your ideal dosing schedule
Tadalafil can be taken in two ways: a small daily dose, or a higher as-needed dose. As-needed doses are taken ideally at least half an hour before engaging in sexual activity. Daily doses, on the other hand, can be taken at the same time daily without necessarily having to time it before having sex.
Research shows that both dosing schedules are just as effective in treating ED.
Consult your doctor to determine which dosing schedule works best for you. Taking tadalafil as-needed means you don’t need to take it daily, but it also means you need to plan your sexual engagements in advance.
Meanwhile, taking a smaller dose of tadalafil daily enables you to enjoy more spontaneous sex. You don’t need to worry about taking it 30 minutes before sex as you would taking an as-needed dose.
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What drugs interact with Tadalafil?
Tadalafil, when taken as directed, is an effective and safe ED treatment. However, like most drugs, there are some interactions with other substances you need to know. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions about potential drug interactions. Here are some drugs that are known to interact with tadalafil.
Nitrates
Nitrates such as nitroglycerin are used to treat chest pain in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Taking them with PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil may cause precipitous drops in blood pressure.
Nitrites
Nitrites such as amyl nitrite (colloquially known as “poppers”) should be avoided when taking PDE5 inhibitors. Nitrites (not to be confused with nitrates) cause vasodilation and muscle relaxation that can cause massive drops in blood pressure when combined with tadalafil.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a known and proven erection killer. Despite being effective in curtailing your inhibitions, alcohol is a depressant that may prevent you from producing an erection. Alcohol-induced ED, also known as “whiskey dick,” is caused by regular or excessive alcohol consumption. Eli Lilly and Co, the makers of Cialis, warn that taking the drug with excessive amounts of alcohol – defined as five shots of whiskey or five glasses of wine – may cause unpleasant side effects like headaches, facial redness, and chest pain, besides potentially reducing your blood pressure.
That doesn’t mean you need to completely abstain from alcohol, but rather take it in moderation.
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Grapefruit Juice
Do you enjoy drinking delicious grapefruit juice in the morning? Be forewarned: studies indicate that grapefruit juice may interfere with how your body metabolizes medicines and cause higher concentrations of said drugs in your bloodstream –– including PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil.
I’ve tried these tips and tadalafil still doesn’t work for me. What should I do?
Frustrated with your results with tadalafil? If you continue to experience disappointing results in the bedroom, consult your healthcare provider to determine whether adjustments to your dosage and its timing are needed. Do NOT under any circumstances change your dose without consulting your doctor. In certain cases, it’s not the dose or the schedule of a PDE5 inhibitor drug that’s causing problems, particularly when underlying medical conditions cause or exacerbate symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Medical conditions that cause ED include the following:
- Hypertension
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Low testosterone
- Cardiovascular disease
- Prostate enlargement
- Depression
That said, treating these medical conditions may help improve your outcomes with ED. And if you wish to try boosting your sexual function the natural way, there are certain lifestyle adjustments that can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.
For instance, male smokers were found to have experienced higher ED rates. Men who quit smoking, on the other hand, experienced improved erectile health and function. Consuming a healthy diet and engaging in regular aerobic exercise can also boost sexual function and help improve your erection quality.
In summary, tadalafil is a safe and effective ED treatment. To get the most out of your tadalafil experience, it’s essential to take it as directed by your physician, avoid taking substances like alcohol or recreational drugs that may interfere with it and incorporate healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and getting adequate amounts of exercise.
