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Did you know? Only four types of erectile dysfunction medication circulate in the US market today—Viagra (Sildenafil), Avanafil (Stendra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Vardenafil (Levitra).
Despite them all being FDA-approved and prescribed regularly by medical professionals, every one of them comes with the risk of certain side effects. And one of the biggest offenders is tadalafil, or Cialis.
These drugs—known as phosphodiesterase (PDEI) 5 medicines—relax the tissues in the penile area, stopping blood from leaking out and making an erection strong enough for sexual stimulation.
Aside from facilitating the blood flow going into the penis, these medications also treat the following ailments:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Combined symptoms of ED and BPH
- Delayed orgasms
While this increase in blood flow is essential for erectile quality and sexual satisfaction, don’t be fooled. Misusing PDEI5 medication can potentially lead to dangerous side effects.
If you’re considering trying Cialis to spice up your sex life—or any other ED medication for that matter—it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects.
The fact of the matter is this: Cialis can be harmful to your health if you don’t exercise caution or disregard your doctor’s advice.
Here’s what you need to know about Cialis and some of the most common side effects associated with the drug.
How is Cialis Different from Other ED Medications?
Cialis is unique in that it has a much longer half-life than other ED drugs.
For instance, the effects of Viagra typically only last for four hours, while the effects of Cialis last for a whopping 18 hours. Some anecdotes claim that the drug’s effects can still be felt a whole 36 hours after ingestion.
That means that you can take it in the morning in a low dosage and have room to be sexually spontaneous the entire day—and even have some room for sex before the next day.
To compensate, Viagra breaks down more quickly in comparison, kicking in less than an hour after ingestion. Cialis kicks in at a slightly slower pace, meaning you’ll have to take it 1 to 2 hours before it’s needed to get a good, strong erection suitable for sexual activity.
Risk Factors of Cialis
It’s important to know about the risks involved when taking any drug, as well as possible medical interactions that may worsen your health in the long run.
For people with underlying health conditions, Cialis can exacerbate their conditions. That’s why patients need to get cleared by their physician before taking the drug.
If you suffer from any of the conditions below, you should avoid taking Cialis and find another way to treat sexual dysfunction:
- Heart problems (such as angina, sex-induced chest pain, and heart failure)
- High blood pressure
- Recent history of stroke (6 months)
- Sickle cell anemia and blood cell conditions
- Allergic reaction
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
In addition to the health problems listed above, don’t drink alcohol while taking Cialis. Both alcohol and Cialis can cause a sudden decrease in blood pressure in the body, which can further intensify side effects.
Moreover, only men and males assigned at birth are presently approved to use this drug.
Side Effects of Cialis
Depending on your medical history, genetic background, and harmful drug interactions, you may develop side effects following Cialis ingestion that can affect your quality of life.
According to medical reports, here are some common side effects that you may experience after taking Cialis.
All of the reported side effects have at least a 2% chance of occurring following ingestion, if not higher.
Headaches
Headaches are a common side effect when taking Cialis. It’s more common in patients who take a higher dosage of the drug.
Here’s a snapshot of the likelihood of being affected by it, according to the above medical report:
- 5 mg Cialis: 11% of respondents had headache symptoms
- 10 mg Cialis: 11% of respondents had headache symptoms
- 20 mg Cialis: 15% of respondents had headache symptoms
The reason for headaches being common among respondents is because these substances both induce low blood pressure.
Back Pain
Temporary back pain is another common side effect when taking Cialis. According to the aforementioned medical report, 6% of respondents who took 20 mg of Cialis reported symptoms of back pain.
This symptom typically goes away after 12 to 48 hours or after taking painkiller medications. It’s usually more frequent in people who engaged in sexual positions where they were lying down.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia, commonly known as indigestion or a sour stomach, affected 10% of respondents who took 20 mg of Cialis.
The reason for this is because the drug relaxes your lower esophageal sphincter, the organ responsible for regulating stomach movements. As control is subdued, this causes stomach acids to pile up and eventually make their way up to your stomach and into your esophagus.
Muscle Pain
Some people may experience muscle pain as a Cialis side effect, affecting 6% of respondents who took the 20mg pill.
Just like back pain, the muscle aches usually subside after 24 to 48 hours. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs were generally effective treatments for people who had this side effect.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion is a less common side effect, occurring in 3% of men who took 20 mg Cialis.
This is because the drug relaxes smooth muscle tissue, which includes the muscles that line your blood vessels. Relaxing these muscles leads to the dilation of your blood vessels, affecting your nitric oxide levels and causing a stuffy nose.
Talk to an erectile dysfunction specialist in great detail regarding your medical and drug history to reduce the risk of side effects and drug interactions.
Contact an Erectile Dysfunction Specialist for a Medical Consultation Before Taking ED Pills
If you experience any of the above symptoms or have experienced any untoward developments in your body following PDE5 use, consult with a doctor about it urgently.
Generally, treatment is prescribed depending on your symptoms. But there are general health and wellness tips you can follow to help you reduce your risk of developing erection problems.
These include:
- Managing a healthy weight and diet
- Exercising regularly
- Getting at least 7 hours of sleep
- Reducing stressors
- Using approved ED therapies like acoustic wave therapy
No matter what your symptom, know you don’t have to be alone in your fight for sexual wellness. There are medical therapies to help you keep an erection and stay hard without pills.
Contact a healthcare professional today to improve your sex life.
If you’re having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), contact the team at Paramount Men’s Medical Center in St. Louis now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with an experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Missouri’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, testosterone therapy, and much more.
