Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
tadalafil

tadalafil

Pronunciation: ta DAL a fil

Brand: Adcirca, Alyq, Cialis

Cialis

slide 1 of 20, Cialis,

5 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with C 5

Image of Cialis
slide 1 of 20

Cialis

slide 2 of 20, Cialis,

10 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with C 10

Image of Cialis
slide 2 of 20

Cialis

slide 3 of 20, Cialis,

20 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with C 20

Image of Cialis
slide 3 of 20

Adcirca

slide 4 of 20, Adcirca,

20 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with 4467

Image of Adcirca
slide 4 of 20

Cialis

slide 5 of 20, Cialis,

10 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with C 10

Image of Cialis
slide 5 of 20

Cialis

slide 6 of 20, Cialis,

20 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with C 20

Image of Cialis
slide 6 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 7 of 20, Tadalafil,

10 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with TEVA, 3018

Image of Tadalafil
slide 7 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 8 of 20, Tadalafil,

10 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 45

Image of Tadalafil
slide 8 of 20

Cialis

slide 9 of 20, Cialis,

2.5 mg, egg, yellow, imprinted with C 2 1/2

Image of Cialis
slide 9 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 10 of 20, Tadalafil,

2.5 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with TEVA, 3016

Image of Tadalafil
slide 10 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 11 of 20, Tadalafil,

2.5 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 43

Image of Tadalafil
slide 11 of 20

Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis)

slide 12 of 20, Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis),

20 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with TEVA, 3019

Image of Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis)
slide 12 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 13 of 20, Tadalafil,

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with T9DI 20

Image of Tadalafil
slide 13 of 20

Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis)

slide 14 of 20, Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis),

20 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 47

Image of Tadalafil (Eqv-Cialis)
slide 14 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 15 of 20, Tadalafil,

5 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with TEVA, 3017

Image of Tadalafil
slide 15 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 16 of 20, Tadalafil,

5 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 44

Image of Tadalafil
slide 16 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 17 of 20, Tadalafil,

10 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with AC 06

Image of Tadalafil
slide 17 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 18 of 20, Tadalafil,

2.5 mg, round, white, imprinted with C1

Image of Tadalafil
slide 18 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 19 of 20, Tadalafil,

20 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with AA, 09

Image of Tadalafil
slide 19 of 20

Tadalafil

slide 20 of 20, Tadalafil,

5 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with A13

Image of Tadalafil
slide 20 of 20

What is the most important information I should know about tadalafil?

Taking tadalafil with certain other medicines can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Do not take tadalafil if you also use riociguat, or a nitrate drug such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or recreational drugs such as "poppers."

Get medical help at once if you have nausea, chest pain, or dizziness during sex.

What is tadalafil?

The Cialis brand of tadalafil is used in men to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate).

Adcirca and Alyq are used in men and women to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to improve exercise capacity.

Do not take Cialis for erectile dysfunction if you are taking Adcirca or Alyq for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Tadalafil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tadalafil?

You should not take tadalafil if you are allergic to it, or:

  • if you take other medicines to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take tadalafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate. Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking tadalafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Some tadalafil can remain in your bloodstream for 2 or more days after each dose you take (longer if you have liver or kidney disease). Avoid nitrate use during this time.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart problems (chest pain, a heart rhythm disorder, heart failure);
  • a heart attack or stroke;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
  • retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
  • blindness in one or both eyes;
  • hearing problems;
  • blood circulation problems;
  • a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
  • pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD);
  • a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease), or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours;
  • a stomach ulcer; or
  • health problems that make sexual activity unsafe.

A small number of people taking tadalafil have had sudden vision loss. Most of these people already had eye problems, or had diabetes or other health conditions that can affect blood vessels in the eyes. It is not clear whether tadalafil causes vision loss.

Do not start or stop taking tadalafil during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) during pregnancy may cause heart failure, stroke, or other medical problems in both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Cialis is not for use in women.

Tadalafil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take tadalafil?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

When taking Adcirca or Alyq, you may need 2 tablets for a full dose. Take both tablets one after the other. Do not split the dose.

Take Cialis just before sexual activity, but not more than once per day. Cialis can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill.

Do not break or split a Cialis tablet. Swallow it whole.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Do not change your tadalafil dose or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Cialis is used as needed, you are not likely to miss a dose.

If you miss a dose of Adcirca or Alyq, take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking tadalafil?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of dizziness or fainting.

Grapefruit may interact with tadalafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of tadalafil?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tadalafil and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
  • vision changes or sudden vision loss;
  • ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss; or
  • an erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis).

Stop and get medical help at once if you have nausea, chest pain, or dizziness during sex. You could be having a life-threatening side effect.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache;
  • flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
  • nausea, upset stomach;
  • runny or stuffy nose; or
  • muscle pain, back pain, pain in your arms, legs, or back.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect tadalafil?

Do not take Cialis with similar medications such as avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra) or vardenafil (Levitra). Tell your doctor about all other medications you use for erectile dysfunction.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • medicines to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension;
  • drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder;
  • an antibiotic such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampin, or telithromycin;
  • antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole or itraconazole;
  • medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, such as ritonavir and others; or
  • seizure medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect tadalafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about tadalafil.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details