Table of Contents
I. So, What Kind of Medication Is Cialis?
II. Is There a Difference Between Cialis and Tadalafil?
V. Can Cialis Cure Erectile Dysfunction or Other Conditions Permanently?
VI. Does It Cause Frequent Urination?
VIII. Are There Any Precautions You Should Take?
IX. What Can You Do if You Want to Learn More About Cialis?
X. FAQ: Should I take Cialis daily or as needed?
Has your doctor suggested you take Cialis? It’s understandable if you’re on the fence about going with their suggestion. Taking new medication can be scary. There are potential side effects that you might experience. You may even need to avoid certain substances while on your new medication.
It’s a lot of information to consider. But remember that your doctor has your best interests in mind.
And of course, you don’t have to handle all this information alone. Here at RxConnected, we would like to help. So, let’s all explore Cialis and how it works.
So, What Kind of Medication Is Cialis?
Cialis or generic tadalafil is part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Typically, they help stop a particular enzyme (PDE5) from working. [1]
This enzyme is found in blood vessel walls around the lungs and the penile area. [1] PDE-5 breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). And cGMP happens to be responsible for relaxing and widening blood vessels. [2]
That’s where PDE-5 inhibitors like Cialis come in. They stop PDE-5 from working and allow more cGMP to enter the body’s blood vessels. In return, areas like the lungs or penis get an increase in blood flow as the blood vessels relax more. [2]
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Is There a Difference Between Cialis and Tadalafil?
Actually, Cialis and tadalafil are one and the same! Cialis just happens to be the brand name, while tadalafil is the generic name for the same medication.
Is Cialis Addictive?
Cialis is not considered physically addictive. It does not usually cause physical dependence, and people do not typically have withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it as directed. [3]
However, some people may become psychologically reliant on Cialis. This can happen if they start feeling like they cannot have sex or perform confidently without it, even when they do not medically need it. [3]
It is important to remember that Cialis should only be taken as prescribed, and you should not increase your dose or use it more often without speaking to your doctor.
What Does It Treat?
So we know what Cialis is now and what it can and can’t do. But what does it treat? Surprisingly, it can treat quite a few conditions. These include the following.
Erectile Dysfunction
This condition happens when you’re unable to achieve a firm erection. There are a number of causes for this, such as:
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Obesity
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Atherosclerosis
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Low testosterone
- Thyroid imbalance
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Enlarged prostate
- Peyronie’s disease
- Certain medications
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Recreational drugs [4]
Your doctor can review your symptoms, health history, and current medications to decide whether Cialis is the right option for your ED.
Enlarged Prostate
Cialis can also treat an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). [2]
BPH is a common condition in men over the age of 50. [5] Other risk factors for BPH may include:
- Obesity
- Not being active enough
- A family history of BPH [5]
People with BPH may experience urinary symptoms such as:
- Having difficulty passing urine
- Feeling the need to urinate more frequently at night
- Experiencing a strong urge to urinate suddenly
- Being unable to empty the bladder entirely [5]
To relieve the severity of these symptoms, Cialis relaxes the smooth muscle around the prostate and bladder, as well as the smooth muscle in their blood vessels. [2]
Pulmonary Hypertension
Lastly, Cialis is sometimes prescribed to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH). This condition occurs when there is high blood pressure in the lungs. [6] Depending on the cause of it, people can develop one of five types of PH:
1. Pulmonary arterial hypertension. The causes include:
- A gene mutation
- Prescription amphetamines or certain diet pills
- Illegal drugs, such as methamphetamines
- Heart abnormalities at birth
- Connective tissue disorders
- HIV
- Chronic liver disease [6]
2. Pulmonary hypertension caused by left-sided heart disease. The causes include:
- Mitral valve disease
- Aortic valve disease
- Stiff left heart muscles that are unable to relax
- Weak left heart muscles that are unable to squeeze properly [6]
3. Pulmonary hypertension caused by lung disease. The causes include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Interstitial lung disease
- Sleep apnea
- Long-term exposure to high altitudes [6]
4. Pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic blood clots. As the name suggests, this PH is caused by blood clots. More specifically, it is caused by chronic blood clots in the lungs. [6]
5. Pulmonary hypertension associated with other conditions for unclear reasons. The causes include:
- Sarcoidosis
- Sickle cell anemia
- Chronic hemolytic anemia
- Splenectomy
- Certain metabolic disorders [6]
Cialis may be prescribed for certain cases of pulmonary hypertension because it can help relax blood vessels in the lungs and improve blood flow. However, a doctor will need to determine whether Cialis is appropriate for you.
Can Cialis Cure Erectile Dysfunction or Other Conditions Permanently?
To determine whether Cialis can permanently cure these conditions, you should first ask your doctor.
But in general, most of these conditions are not curable. Rather, you can manage them so that their symptoms affect you less in your daily life. For instance, both BPH and PH are considered to be incurable at this time with medications only, but sometimes a surgical approach is warranted. [7] [8]
Luckily, ED can be reversed in certain cases. But it depends. So be sure to make an appointment with your doctor to find out!
Does It Cause Frequent Urination?
You should also ask your doctor about this concern. Most medications come with a wide variety of potential side effects. And Cialis is likely no different.
But at the very least, frequent urination is not listed as a common side effect of Cialis. [2]
How Should It Be Taken?
Even without the worry of frequent urination, you should still be careful about how you take Cialis. Taking too little or too much of it could hurt your chances of improving your condition. So, keep in mind the two typical ways you should take Cialis.
On an As-Needed Basis
If Cialis is prescribed for ED, your doctor may recommend taking it as needed before sexual activity. This usually means taking a Cialis dose before sex, based on the timing and dose your doctor gives you. [2]
Daily
In other cases, it’s more likely that you’ll be prescribed a daily dose of Cialis. It’s often a smaller dose than the as-needed kind. But because it’s taken daily, it will circulate through your body constantly. [2]
For more information on this topic, consider going through our other Cialis articles. Pay particular attention to our article on how much Cialis you should take. And don’t forget to look up our discussion on how to take Cialis for the best results!
Are There Any Precautions You Should Take?
In addition to informing yourself, be sure to practice the following. It should help keep you happy and healthy while on Cialis.
Be Patient.
To start, keep in mind that Cialis may not work the first time you take it. So, give it a few good tries before talking with your doctor.
Don’t Forget to Ask Your Doctor About Your Diet.
You’ll also want to keep your eating routine in mind. Certain foods and substances can affect Cialis.
Keep an Eye Out for Any Side Effects.
Common Cialis side effects include:
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Back pain
- Muscle aches
- Nasal congestion
- Facial flushing
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure [2]
If side effects become bothersome or do not go away, let your doctor know. If you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, seek medical help right away. [2]
What Can You Do if You Want to Learn More About Cialis?
To learn more, read the rest of our Cialis articles. But keep in mind that your doctor may have additional knowledge that can change how you approach Cialis.
FAQ: Should I take Cialis daily or as needed?
Whether you should take Cialis daily or as needed depends on what it was prescribed to treat. For an enlarged prostate, also called BPH, or pulmonary hypertension, Cialis is usually taken every day so the medication can work consistently in the body. For erectile dysfunction, Cialis may be taken either daily or as needed before sexual activity.
Do not switch between daily and as-needed use on your own. Taking Cialis too often, too close together, or at the wrong dose can increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor can help decide which option fits your condition, symptoms, health history, and other medications.
What to ask your doctor:
- Would a daily dose make more sense for my symptoms?
- If I take it as needed, how long before sex should I take it?
- How often can I safely take Cialis?
- When should we adjust the dose or try something else?
DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.