Tadalafil
What is Tadalafil and how does it work?
Tadalafil is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It does this by improving blood flow to the penis when sexually stimulated. This allows men who suffer from ED to achieve firmer and longer-lasting erections.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in the well known erectile dysfunction drug Cialis. As of 2017, Cialis no longer has an exclusive patent on this drug, and this means that other companies are able to manufacture Tadalafil.
While medically the same, the competition means prices for generic medicines are cheaper than the original versions. By using the price comparison button, you can see that Tadalafil is significantly cheaper than Cialis. While some men still prefer the branded version, many others have switched to using Tadalafil.
Tadalafil, like other ED treatments such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Spedra), works by increasing the blood flow into your penis by relaxing the which flow into them.
It achieves this effect by blocking an enzyme called PDE5. As a group, these drugs are called ‘PDE5 inhibitors’. Because have very little effect on other parts of the body, there are generally well tolerated and safe medications. As a result, some forms of these drugs have been made available over the counter in the UK, such as Viagra Connect.
Why Tadalafil?
With a number of ED drugs available, many men are unsure which medication is right for them. The main advantage of Tadalafil over Sildenafil, Viagra, Levitra, and Spedra, is the length of action.
What does this mean? Basically, the effects of Tadalafil can last for up to 72 hours after taking a dose. It should be noted, this does not mean that your erection will last this long! In fact, any erection which is painful or lasts more than 4 hours should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. The 72-hour effect simply means that you should be able to achieve an erection when sexually stimulated, in the 3 days after taking the pill.
Tadalafil Dosage
Tadalafil 20mg and 10mg tablets – These are ‘when required’ doses, so should be taken around 30 minutes before sexual activity. 20mg is the maximum allowable dose. If you have found that this dose is not effective for you, it may be that this medicine is not for you. Speak to your GP for further options. If you have liver problems, speak to your GP before taking this because the dose may need to be reduced.
Tadalafil Daily – 2.5mg and 5mg – These are designed as daily dosages. You should take one tablet daily to help maintain the levels of Tadalafil in the bloodstream.
Adjustments
If you notice your erections are lasting too long, or you are not achieving an erection for long enough, you can adjust your dosage as appropriate. Remember; if taking Tadalafil daily, the maximum dosage is 5mg. If taking Tadalafil when required, the maximum dosage in a 72 hour period is 20mg as a single dose. You may find that to solve your ED issues you only need to take a 5mg tablet every 2-3 days.
Patient Information Leaflet
Click below to read the Patient information leaflet for Tadalafil:
