About Cialis

Cialis is a prescription medication which is popularly used in the treatment of impotency, or erectile dysfunction in men. It achieves potency by relaxing the muscles and increasing the blood flow to specific areas of the body.

Uses or Indications

Cialis is primarily used in treating impotency or erectile dysfunction in men.

How to take Cialis

Cialis is commonly available in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg tablets. Intake of Cialis should be done with careful observation of the dosage and intake instructions of a physician. Although the usual starting dose for most men is 10mg, the dosage varies with the individual`s needs, so the prescription of a doctor is necessary before intake. Take Cialis with a tall glass of water, and with or without prior food intake. Cialis is normally taken only when it is needed, that is, just before sexual contact. The user will only achieve an erection if he is sexually stimulated after intake. Erection will not be obtained just by an intake of the tablet.

Side Effects

The usual adverse effects associated with Cialis include a runny nose, aching muscles, headaches, flushing, indigestion, and back pains. These adverse effects are usually transient, and dissipate within a few hours. Users who experience back pains or aching muscles normally obtain the effect after twelve or 24 hours of Cialis intake; these also normally dissipate within 48 hours of intake. Users who experience the following effects should discontinue intake and seek medical help: an irregular heartbeat, unexpected vision or hearing problems, a shortness of breath, swollen feet, hands, and ankles, a light-headed feeling, and an erection which is painful, or lasts for four hours and longer.

Drug Precautions

An intake of Cialis may cause blood pressure to abruptly drop to unsafe levels when the tablet is taken in accordance with other medications, including alpha-blockers, nitrates, or recreational drugs popularly known as `poppers`. The unexpected drop in blood pressure can lead to dizziness, unconsciousness, and even stroke or cardiac arrest. A decrease in blood flow may also affect the supply to the eye`s optic nerves, leading to abrupt vision loss, especially in patients with prior eye disorders, heart ailments, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol and pressure. Patients who are lactose-intolerant are also strongly discouraged from taking Cialis.

Drug Interaction

Medications which may interact with Cialis include those containing nitrates, such as drugs for chest pain and heart disorders: recreational medication like nitrite and amyl nitrate; nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate; rifampin; HIV drugs including nevirapine, amprenavir, darunavir, nelfinavir, tipranavir, efavirenz, atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, fosamprenavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir; clarithromycin and erythromycin; terazosin, doxazosin, and prazosin; cimetidine; ketoconazole and itraconazole; and phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine.

Missed Dose

Cialis is a medication which is taken only when needed; the user is unlikely to follow an intake schedule.

Overdose

Indications of an overdose may involve light-headedness, chest pains, an irregular heartbeat, and nausea. In such cases, seek immediate medical help.

Storage

Store the medication within room temperatures of 15 and 30°C, away from excessive heat.