Cialis Side Effects

Cialis is a medication used for treating erectile dysfunction in men. Read on to know more about its effectiveness and side effects with this article.
Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, which is a drug used to relax muscles and increase blood flow to certain specific areas of the body. Tadalafil is sold as 'cialis and 'adcirca'. It is used for the treatment of erectile dysfucntion in men, while adcirca is used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is also employed for improving exercise capacity in both men and women. Its main active ingredient is tadalafil, which is called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, as it works by preventing the action of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5. Though it is quite effective in treating erectile dysfunction, it can cause a few side effects, especially if not used with adequate care. However, not everyone experiences its side effects. Most of the time, the side effects are minor and can be easily alleviated.

Cialis Dangers

Like many other drugs, it can also cause a few adverse effects like:
  • Headache
  • Indigestion or dyspepsia
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Flushing
  • Back pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vision Changes
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle aches or myalgia
Rarely, cialis may cause, angina, high blood pressure, insomnia, dry mouth, decrease or loss of hearing, vertigo, migraine, blurred vision and chest pain. Occasionally, a person allergic to cialis can experience severe allergic reaction after taking this drug. The usual symptoms of an allergic reaction include, itching, hives or skin rash, tightness in the chest, breathing problems and unusual swelling of the mouth, tongue and throat.

Another serious, but rare side effect of cialis is 'priapism', which refers to painful erection that lasts for several hours. If left untreated, priapism can cause permanent damage to the penis. The serious side effects in men are more likely to be encountered, when it is taken excessively or the individual using cialis is suffering from an underlying condition like, heart disease. Low dose side effects are usually not very serious in nature.

Important Facts about Cialis

Its effect lasts for approximately 36 hours. Certain other drugs or medications can interact with it to produce adverse reaction. Generally, cialis should not be taken along with nitrates, blood pressure medications, alpha blockers, erythromycin and antifungal medications. In addition to these medications, it should be avoided, if you are already taking certain other medications for treating erectile dysfunction. Avoid drinking too much of alcohol, while taking this medication. If both alcohol and cialis are taken together, it can result in a significant drop in blood pressure, which can manifest in dizziness.

Apart from these, people suffering from certain health conditions should consult their physician before using cialis. Such health conditions include, heart problems such as, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, heart failure, a history of heart attacks, liver or kidney problems, stroke, high and low blood pressure, leukemia, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, bleeding disorders, stomach ulcers, physical deformity of the penis and cardiovascular diseases.

So, the serious side effects of this medication can be avoided with a little bit of care and precaution. The best way to prevent any unwanted adverse effects of the drug is to take it only under the guidance of a physician or health care provider. Lastly, if you observe any of these side effects and muscle pain, dizziness, blurred vision, an increase or decrease in blood pressure and chest pain, then immediately inform your physician.
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Published: 6/16/2010
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