Cialis Side Effects: Warnings, Interactions, and Prevention

Cialis is a brand-name medicine that contains the active ingredient Tadalafil. It is a Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor that helps treat Erectile Dysfunction. 

PDE5 inhibitors are medicines that relax the blood vessels to increase the blood flow in the penis to produce an erection. 

As Cialis affects the cardiovascular system, an essential body organ system, it may also have side effects. 

Most Cialis side effects are minor or moderate, but a few are severe. The following article discusses the side effects and potential drug interactions of Cialis.

Side effects of Cialis

Side effects of CialisSource: Getty_images_pro
Side effects of Cialis

Cialis may cause a few potential side effects, some more common than others. 

1 in 100 people is likely to experience common side effects of Cialis. You are less likely to experience them if you take Cialis for ED as per need.

Mild side effects of Cialis

Some of the common and mild side effects of Cialis are:

  • Headache 
  • Flushing
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Stuffy nose
  • Muscle pain

The side effects are temporary and subside once your body adjusts to the medicine. Call a doctor if your symptoms persist or if you are concerned about them.

Severe Cialis side effects

It is uncommon to experience severe side effects of Cialis. They occur in 1 in 1000 people. But if you do share them, you must seek immediate medical attention.

Consult a doctor immediately if you took Cialis and experienced the following symptoms:

  • Sudden vision loss or hearing issues. Stop taking Cialis if this occurs
  • A prolonged and painful erection (Priapism) that lasts for more than 2 hours
  • Severe chest pain 
  • Seizure or a fit
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure
  • A heart attack or stroke
Warning
These side effects are rare, but they are likely to occur due to Cialis overdose. Seek immediate medical help if you take more than one dose of Cialis.

You should also seek medical help if you experience the symptoms of an allergic reaction, including:

  • Skin rashes which may contain itchy, red, and swollen blisters or peeling skin
  • Swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, or face
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in the chest

These symptoms could mean you are allergic to Cialis and should stop taking it immediately.

Cialis warnings

Cialis may not be the appropriate medicine for everyone as it can affect the cardiovascular system. Experts warn against the use of Cialis in people with:

  • Hypersensitivity to Tadalafil
  • Severe liver disease
  • Severe kidney disease

Some people may have medical conditions that require caution when taking Cialis. They may take Cialis under careful monitoring by a doctor and a possible dose reduction. 

These may include:

  • Mild to moderate liver disease
  • Mild to moderate kidney disease
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Penile deformities, like Peyronie’s disease
  • Conditions with a risk of Priapism, like sickle cell anemia

In addition, Cialis is not approved for use in women and children. Senior men with Erectile Dysfunction may take a low dose of Cialis if prescribed by their doctor.

Fact
Headaches and muscle pains are the most common reasons why people who took Cialis discontinued the medicine.

Cialis interactions

You may take Cialis with or without food. But you should avoid taking it with grapefruit as it can slow down the metabolism of Cialis in the body. 

It would also be best to limit your alcohol intake when taking Cialis. Like Cialis, alcohol also lowers blood pressure. Taking Cialis with alcohol can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Cialis also interacts with other medicines. Your doctor may not prescribe Cialis to you if you take any of the listed medicines:

  • Nitrates
  • Guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators
  • Other PDE5 inhibitors
  • Alpha-blockers
  • Some blood pressure medicines

How long do Cialis side effects last

Cialis side effects lasSource: Ryanking999
Cialis side effects last

The common side effects of Cialis are temporary and go away within a few hours. 

Cialis has a longer duration of action than other ED medications like Viagra and Levitra. Thus, the side effects of Cialis may last longer than other ED medicines.

Some people also take Cialis as a daily medicine. They may experience side effects for a few days. But the symptoms will subside once they adjust to or discontinue the medication. 

The severe side effects of Cialis are rare but require long-term attention. 

Some adverse effects like Priapism, heart attack, or stroke may lead to erectile damage. It could lead to lifelong consequence

How to avoid Cialis side effects

Like any other medicine, Cialis has side effects. But there are a few ways to reduce the risk of experiencing side effects. 

Some ways to avoid Cialis side effects are:

  • Take Cialis under the care of a healthcare provider
  • Buy Cialis from a licensed pharmacy with a prescription only
  • Inform your doctor about any medical conditions 
  • Do not take more than one Cialis dose in a day
  • Avoid consuming grapefruit with Cialis
  • Avoid drinking alcohol with Cialis

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the side effects of Cialis go away?

The side effects of Cialis usually go away after a few hours. Some Cialis users may experience muscle and back pains 12 to 24 hours after taking Cialis

How long will I stay hard with Cialis?

The effects of Cialis last for over 36 hours. But Cialis cannot make you stay hard for 36 hours. It can improve your ability to achieve erections during the 36 hours. 
Cialis can also help you maintain your erection for a more extended period. But the erection will go down when you ejaculate.

Can Cialis cause damage?

In rare cases, Cialis may lead to a prolonged erection or Priapism. If left untreated, Priapism may lead to permanent penile and erectile damage.

Does Cialis make you come harder?

Cialis is an Erectile Dysfunction medication. It is not designed to improve ejaculation. But, it may help with ED-induced ejaculatory problems.

Are there any long-term side effects of Cialis?

There is little research on the long-term side effects of Cialis. According to a 2004 study, there were no severe effects of using Cialis for two years. 
Some rare but severe side effects of Cialis, like Priapism, may cause long-term consequences.

Citations:
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Jim Carson is a highly skilled and dedicated medical writer passionate about advancing medical practice. With years of experience in the field of medical sciences, Jim has made significant contributions to various studies aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. He currently writes for Cheapmedicineshop.com, providing expert insights and knowledge on various topics. Jim's expertise extends to various areas, including drug interactions, dosages, side effects, and best practices for medication use. In Los Angeles, Jim lives with his loving wife, children, and beloved pets. He deeply values spending time with his family and cherishes their presence. When he's not writing, Jim enjoys watching football games and staying updated with the latest sports news. Jim's writing shines through his commitment to advancing medical practice and improving healthcare outcomes. Readers can trust Jim's articles to be informative, accurate, and reliable, making him a trusted pharmaceutical information source for the website's audience.