Cialis - warnings and precautions

Cialis Description

Cialis is a brand name for tadalafil, an oral drug used for treating erectile dysfunction. Along with Viagra and Levitra, Cialis belongs to the class of drugs called phosphodiestrase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It acts by relaxing the muscles and increasing the blood flow to the penis thus improving sexual performance. However, there are several warnings and precautions one must take into consideration while using this prescription drug.

Cialis Warnings

Cardiovascular

It is vital to consider cardiovascular status of each patient before prescribing Cialis. People with cardiovascular diseases are at a high risk of severe side effects such as heart attack or stroke while taking the drug.

People suffering from left ventricular outflow obstruction such as aortic stenosis and idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis can be especially sensitive to drugs with vasodilating properties, including PDE5 inhibitors.

Cialis should not be used by the following groups of patients that have not been yet included in clinical trials for Cialis:People suffering from a stroke or a myocardial infraction within the last 90 daysPeople suffering from unstable angina or angina occurring during sexual activityPeople having greater heart failure within the last 6 monthsPeople with uncontrolled arrhythmias, hypotension or uncontrolled hypertensionPeople with rare eye problem known as retinitis pigmentosaProlonged Erection

In rare instances prolonged and painful erections (priapism) may occur due to Cialis usage. This requires immediate medical attention as untreated priapism can lead to permanent damage to the erectile tissue.

Patients with increased risk for priapism due to sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma or leukemia as well as patients with penile deformation caused by angulation, cavernosal fibrosis or Peyronie’s disease should take precautions when taking Cialis.

Physicians must carefully evaluate and try to determine the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction before prescribing Cialis. Following conditions must be considered:

Kidney Failure

Daily dose of the drug must not exceed 5 mg in patients suffering from severe kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease.

Hepatic Impairment

Since Cialis is mainly metabolized in the liver, its use is not recommended for people with severe hepatic impairment until further testing is done. However, patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment can use it in limited dose of 10 mg per day.

Cialis InteractionsCombination of Cialis and other erectile dysfunction treatments is not recommended because the safety of such combinations has not been studied yet.

Contraindications of Cialis may occur if it is used in combination with organic nitrates as it may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and potentially result in a stroke or heart attack. The same effect may arise from a combination of Cialis and alpha-andrenergic antagonists.

Alcohol should not be used while taking Cialis as it may lead to increased heart rate, decrease in blood pressure, dizziness and headache.