cialis FAQ

What are the differences between erectile dysfunction drugs? About half of men ages 40 to 70 have erectile dysfunction (ED) to some degree, although only one in 10 report a complete inability to have erections. Taking an ED drug produces an erection sufficient to start intercourse in about 70% of otherwise healthy men. Does it make any difference which of the four drugs for erectile dysfunction you take? "Yes, there can be differences," says Dr. Louis Liou, chief of urology at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance in Boston. "For new patients, I have them try different ones to see what works best." Sildenafil (Viagra) is often the first drug your doctor offers. It's been on the market longest and its side effects and the medications and foods it interacts with are well known. But the main challenge to finding the best ED drug for you may turn out to be health insurance rules—not biochemistry. It's a common practice among insurers to limit the number of pills you can obtain per month. After you hit your limit, the out-of-pocket cost for a single pill can be very high. "The main obstacle in my practice is the cost," Dr. Liou says. You'll need to work with your doctor to get the pill you need at a price you can afford.

The ED drugs break down at different rates in the body. The durations of action range from four hours to more than a day (for Cialis in the higher doses). Each dose should be sufficient to provide a full cycle of intercourse, from erection to climax. "Will it last through another cycle? It's not guaranteed," Dr. Liou says. To have sex more than once a day, Cialis is your best bet.

The most common side effects of ED drugs, in order of most to least common are headache, flushing, upset stomach, nasal congestion, vision problems, diarrhea, dizziness, and rash. A man who has an erection that lasts four hours or more needs to get to a hospital or risk permanent damage. None of the ED drugs is safe to take with cardiac drugs called nitrates because it could cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Drugs that many men take for urinary symptoms, called alpha blockers, can also lower blood pressure, so take them at least four hours apart from ED drugs. Your doctor may start you on a smaller dose of the ED drug if you already take an alpha blocker or may recommend the alpha blocker tamsulosin (Flomax), which affects blood pressure less.

How soon the drugs start working ranges from 15 to 60 minutes. Neither Viagra nor Levitra will work if you take them after a meal, which blocks their absorption. However, neither Cialis nor Stendra interact with food this way. The onset time determines how soon you can engage in intercourse. Stendra and daily-use Cialis are closest to being an "on demand" erectile drug; using the others requires more planning.

ED drugs produce an erection sufficient for intercourse in about 70% of men. But the results vary quite a bit from one individual to another. A man with nerves or arteries damaged by prostate surgery, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease will not respond as strongly to ED drugs. "There are some men in whom none of these drugs work," Dr. Liou says.

In addition to Viagra, other ED drugs available in the United States include avanafil (Stendra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). These all improve blood supply to the penis. In combination with sexual stimulation, the drugs can produce an erection sufficient to initiate and complete intercourse. There is also a fast-dissolving form of Levitra, called Staxyn, that you put under your tongue. One ED drug, Cialis, is FDA-approved for use daily in a dose of 2.5 or 5 milligrams. This helps to produce erections on demand and may also help relieve urinary problems, like difficulty starting urination, that result from an enlarged prostate.

Yes, Cialis in higher dosages can last up to 36 hours, while Viagra commonly lasts up to 4 hours. Talk with your doctor to see which medication best fits your sexual lifestyle.

Cialis and tadalafil are equally effective. The FDA works to ensure that the generic versions of all brand-name medications provide the same clinical benefits. The main difference between Cialis and tadalafil is the cost. Though prices vary considerably depending on the manufacturer and pharmacy where you’re buying the medication from, Cialis typically costs around $300 to $1,735 for 30 tablets. The generic versions cost about $12 to $25 for 30 tablets. Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Making certain lifestyle changes may help with ED, too. This includes:, getting in physical activity, such as regular exercise, when possible, quitting smoking (if you smoke), getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, consuming nutritious foods when possible, finding ways to manage stress, Read more about ED and supplements.

Side effects of Cialis can include headaches, muscle aches, congestion, and indigestion.

Cialis and Viagra each have their pros and cons, though the medications work similarly in the body. Cialis has the advantage of lasting longer, with effects often lingering up to 36 hours after taking the tablet. Viagra usually lasts about 4 hours. Viagra is also an on-demand medication only, so the spontaneity that daily Cialis use allows is not an option with Viagra. But Cialis is associated with muscle aches in the limbs in some users, a side effect not associated with Viagra. However, You can also find generic versions of both Cialis and Viagra. Your lifestyle and personal experience with a particular medication may help you determine if Cialis, Viagra, or another PDE5 inhibitor is the right choice. Unlike some other PDE5 inhibitors, Cialis may be taken with or without food. Food is unlikely to have any effect on its effectiveness or side effects. Still, there are a few other things to keep in mind when taking the medication.

Taking Cialis daily will make it easier for you to get and keep an erection for as long as you regularly take the medication. If you’re only taking a higher dose of Cialis as needed, the ability to get an erection could last up to 36 hours for some people.

No, while this is often a misunderstanding of the effects of Cialis, this medication doesn’t cause an erection all on its own or cause you to have an erection long past the point of orgasm., People with ED symptoms are frequently unable to have a full erection when sexually aroused. Taking Cialis helps inhibit the PDE5 enzymes that may be preventing the erection. It’s very unlikely that you will have an erection if you are taking Cialis and are not sexually aroused., Cialis also will not extend your erection past the point of orgasm or beyond when your erection would typically end following a sexual encounter., If using Cialis causes you to maintain an erection for more than 4 hours, it can result in a serious condition called priapism. This can cause long-term damage if not treated immediately by a doctor.

Since Cialis doesn’t keep you erect any longer than the amount of time you commonly experience an erection, it’s difficult to estimate the amount of time that you can expect to stay erect., Cialis doesn’t extend how long you can stay erect but inhibits the PDE5 enzymes that could prevent or limit you from having a full erection., If you’re not experiencing ED symptoms, taking Cialis wouldn’t extend the amount of time that you stay erect or cause any noticeable changes to your sexual performance., When it comes to ED medications like Viagra and Cialis, don’t think of them as sexual performance enhancers — think of them as treatment that helps some people with ED to have a full erection when sexually aroused.

Yes. Before the FDA approves a medication, it must test the drug for safety and effectiveness. Clinical trials show that Cialis is a safe and effective drug to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or both. Cialis is FDA-approved. However, for some people, Cialis may not be a safe option. This can include people with heart conditions such as an irregular heart rhythm and people who take other medications such as nitrates. (See the “Cialis precautions” section below to learn more.) Before you start taking Cialis, be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have and any medications you’re taking. They’ll be able to decide whether Cialis is a safe choice for you. And talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.

Clinical trials show that Cialis may work as quickly as 30 minutes after you take your dose. However, in some people, the medication may take up to 6 hours until you notice it working. On average, it takes about 2 hours for Cialis to peak. This is how long it takes for you to have the highest level of medication in your body. This is when the drug should work the best to treat your ED, symptoms of BPH, or both conditions. Both alcohol and Cialis can decrease your blood pressure. So if you drink alcohol while taking this medication, it’s recommended that you don’t drink too much. This may help prevent your blood pressure from becoming too low. Having five or more drinks (five shots or glasses of wine or beer) along with Cialis can increase the risk of side effects. In addition to decreased blood pressure, these side effects can include:

If you forget to take your once-a-day dose of Cialis, take it as soon as you remember. However, never take two doses in 1 day. If you missed your dose yesterday, just skip the missed dose and continue with your once-a-day dosing. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful, too.

You should not crush, split, or chew Cialis. Swallow the tablet whole. It’s not known if the medication will be as safe and effective if you crush, split, or chew it. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cialis.

Cialis can stay in your system for more than 2 days after a dose. If you’re using the medication as needed, the drug may still increase your ability to get and maintain an erection 2 days after your last dose.

Yes, Cialis can be used to treat ED after prostate surgery. A clinical trial was done in people with ED who had surgery to have their prostate removed. The people used either Cialis or a placebo (treatment with no active drug) as needed. After 4 weeks, the people took a portion of a survey called the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A higher score on the IIEF meant that erectile function was better, so ED symptoms improved. The study showed that people who took Cialis after prostate surgery had a significant increase in average IIEF scores. In comparison, people who took a placebo after prostate surgery had a smaller increase in average IIEF scores. If you have questions about using Cialis to treat ED after prostate surgery, talk with your doctor.