Cialis is a prescription medication containing the active ingredienttadalafil.
Cialis belongs to a group of medications known asphosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.
Healthcare providers commonly prescribe tadalafil to treaterectile dysfunction (ED).
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Several things maycause ED.
Most commonly, the natural aging process limits blood flow into the penis.
ED occurs more frequently in older men.
Understanding PAH and BPH
PDE5 inhibitors also treat other conditions.
One of these is PAH.
With PAH, high blood pressure develops when a blockage in the arteries within thelunglimits normal blood flow.
This leads to shortness of breath when exercising or completing regular daily activities.
BPH happens when theprostateand the surrounding tissues become enlarged.
Though this growth is not cancerous, prostatecancerand BPH can co-occur.
The FDA approves tadalafil to help manage PAH and BPH.
Brand-name versions of the drug approved for PAH include Adcirca.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is a brand-name prescription medication.
It belongs to the drug class known as PDE5 inhibitors.
Tadalafil is its active ingredient and is available as a generic drug.
The drug is approved for use in adults.
Cialis may be prescribed once daily to treat ED, BPH, or both.
Alternatively, Cialis may be prescribed as an as-needed treatment for ED, to be taken before sexual activity.
For this purpose, one dose works for up to 72 hours.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in several other brand-name medications that treat BPH or PAH.
Tadalafil is sometimes prescribed off-label to treatureteralstones(a bang out ofkidney stone) andRaynauds syndrome.
How Cialis Works
Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors primarily work by inducing muscle relaxation.
Tadalafil stops the breakdown of a chemical responsible for relaxing muscles.
In ED and PAH, the drug targets muscle cells inblood vessels.
In BPH, the medication relaxes theurinary tractand bladder muscles, allowing for more effortless urine flow.
How Effective Is Cialis?
Tadalafil has been extensively studied for ED.
Interestingly, Cialis has been more linked to improved self-esteem and other psychological factors than the other PDE5 medications.
Cialis is also highly effective in reducing the symptoms of BPH.
In trials of the drug, individuals taking Cialis saw a significant reduction in thefrequencyandurgencyof urination and improvedurine flow.
Cialis was also investigated in combination with finasteride, another BPH medication, in another trial.
The results showed the combination to be even more effective than either medication alone.
Be sure to follow your healthcare providers instructions.
Side Effects and Safety
Tadalafil may cause mild side effects.
The side effects may differ depending on your dosage and medical conditions.
If these side effects worsen or do not go away, contact a healthcare professional for advice.
When to Avoid Cialis
Tadalafil may not be safe for everyone.
Interactions can lead to severe side effects or may cause medications to be less effective treatments.
Therefore, talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider about avoiding or safely managing drug interactions.
Alternative Treatment Options: ED
Many dietary supplements contain herbs that are promoted for sexual health.
Common ingredients include ginseng,horny goat weed, L-arginine, andtongkat ali.
Unfortunately, little evidence supports their effectiveness for ED.
Penis pumpsandED ringsare other non-drug options for short-term assistance with achieving or maintaining erections.
Improvement may also occur with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or quitting smoking.
Alternative Treatment Options: PAH and BPH
Alternative options for managing PAH are limited.
A low-sodium diet is highly recommended for people with PAH because decreasing sodium intake can help manage symptoms.
Some natural products have demonstrated effectiveness in helping BPH symptoms, such assaw palmettoand African cherry.
Summary
Cialis is an orally administered PDE5 inhibitor medication most well-known for treating ED.
Cialis works by causing muscle relaxation in some body regions, resulting in improved blood and urine flow.
To learn treatment options, speak with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FDA approves tadalafil for use in females to help manage PAH.
The other approved usesED and enlarged prostateonly affect the male anatomy.
No, tadalafil is not known to interact with any form ofcontraception.
Keep in mind that tadalafil does not prevent pregnancy nor protect againstsexually transmitted infections.
No, tadalafil does not shrink the prostate.
Instead, it relaxes muscles involved in urine flow.
This helps to relieve the urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
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