Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (inability of a man to attain or maintain an erection) and symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland in men. This enlargement of the prostate gland is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Enlarged prostate may cause problems when you pass urine. This medicine relaxes the muscles in the prostate gland and bladder. It helps improve symptoms such as difficulty in passing urine, slow or interrupted flow of urine, frequent urination, and dribbling after passing urine.
Take Tadalafil exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
If you are taking Tadalafil to treat erectile dysfunction, there are two ways on how to take it. Your doctor will advise you if it should be taken at least 30 minutes before your planned sexual activity, or at the same time each day.
If you are taking this medicine to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, try to take it at the same time each day.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take Tadalafil with or without food. Different preparations of this medicine may be taken differently.
Tadalafil is available as a tablet or an orodispersible film.
If you are taking the tablet, you may take it with or without food. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not divide the tablet.
If you are taking the orodispersible film, you should take it without food. Place it directly on your tongue as soon as it is taken out of the pouch. The orodispersible film will immediately start to dissolve on the tongue, with or without any water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
If you are taking Tadalafil at the same time each day and missed a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- serious heart problem wherein sexual activity is not advisable
- heart attack within the last 3 months
- chest pain during sexual activity
- heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) in the last 6 months
- uncontrolled irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- stroke within the last 6 months
- loss of vision due to a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (loss of blood flow in the nerve of the eye)
as Tadalafil may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Tadalafil with medicines used to treat chest pain (e.g. glyceryl trinitrate) or medicines for high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs (e.g. riociguat).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- pre-existing heart disease e.g. aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart valves), hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (abnormally thick heart muscle)
- bleeding disorder
- stomach ulcer
- blood cell problems e.g. sickle cell anaemia (a type of low red blood cell count in the body), leukaemia (cancer of the blood)
- any hereditary eye disease
- any deformation of the penis
- liver disease
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis
Tadalafil is not indicated to be taken by women.
Do not switch between different brands unless advised by your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of urine flow may also be needed.
Tadalafil may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nosebleed, stuffy nose, indigestion, stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, flushing, back pain, and muscle pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- sudden chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath
- sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- sudden decrease or loss of hearing (may be accompanied by dizziness or ringing in the ears)
- painful or prolonged erection (erection lasting for 4 hours or more)
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Tadalafil with medicines for chest pain (e.g. glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate) or medicines for high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs (e.g. riociguat).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. enalapril, amlodipine
- other medicines to treat enlarged prostate e.g. doxazosin, alfuzosin
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, saquinavir
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine
- asthma medicines e.g. theophylline, terbutaline
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
- ethinylestradiol (birth control pill)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tadalafil.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and excessive consumption of grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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