Cialis, also known by the generic name Tadalafil, was originally developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It was the third prescription approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It’s a PDE5 inhibitor, originally developed by ICOS and Glaxo Wellcome.

Cialis doesn’t cure the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction; however, it can help men, who have problems with impotence, obtain an erection, so they can have a fulfilling sex life.
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Scroll down to learn more about Cialis. What is Cialis? How does it work? How do I use Cialis? What are the side effects of Cialis? And much more!

Written by: Rob Michaels

THE ESSENTIALS

• Cialis was originally created as a heart medicine.

• Cialis in a PDE5 inhibitor, increasing blood flow into the penis, when sexually stimulated.

• Cialis can either be taken 30 minutes prior to sex, or daily, for me who want to always be ready.

• If you experience severe dizziness, chest pain, nausea, or jaw pain, seek medical attention immediately.

CIALIS HISTORY

Tadalafil, to be named Cialis, was originally developed through a partnership with Glaxo Wellcome (currently GlaxoSmithKline) and ICOS Corporation. It was originally tested as a treatment for a heart medicine. However, as with Viagra, it was found that a side effect of the drug was penile erection.

In 1994, ICOS received a patent for their compound IC351, which they would later generically name tadalafil and give the brand name Cialis. Clinical trials began in 1995, and were initiated with men with erectile dysfunction in 1997.  In 1998, ICOS partnered with Eli Lilly and Company, forming Lilly ICOS, LLC.

The FDA approved Cialis for the treatment of impotence in May 2002. In 2007, Eli Lilly and Company bought ICOS and took control of the manufacture of Cialis.

HOW CIALIS WORKS

Cialis, like Viagra, works by inhibiting PDE5. The release of nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscle of the corpus cavernosum and the penile arteries. This increases the blood flow into the penis, when it is sexually stimulated.  Please take note of that last part.

Cialis does NOT cause you to have an erection.
You must have some sort of sexual stimulation, to get an erection.

HOW CIALIS IS DIFFERENT FROM VIAGRA

Although both Cialis and Viagra are PDE5 inhibitors, there is a significant difference between the two.

• Cialis is effective for up to 36 hours (with 25% of the dose still active in the body at 36 hours).
• Cialis has a half-life of 17.5 hours, compared to Viagra’s half-life of 4 hours.

HOW TO USE CIALIS

Using Cialis is simple

• Visit Your Doctor – The first step is to see your doctor, about your erectile dysfunction. ED can be caused by a variety of factors. See our article, Need an Erectile Dysfunction Cure? Never Suffer from Impotence Again, for more details on ED. Your erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of a more serious problem. Plus, you  may have health concerns that need to be taken into consideration, when prescribing Cialis.

• Review the Literature with Your Prescription – Although your doctor and your pharmacist should brief you fully on your new prescription, be sure to read the patient information literature that comes with Cialis. If you have any questions or concerns, speak to your healthcare provider before taking it.
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• Take as Directed – Always follow your doctor’s instructions when taking Cialis. There are two ways to take Cialis. Your doctor will prescribe the method that is best for you.

• • 30 Minutes Before Sex – The first method of taking Cialis involves taking it, as needed, 30 minutes before you plan to have sex.

• • Daily – The second method of taking Cialis involves taking it once a day, every day. In this way, you can have sex whenever you’d like.

Cialis Usage Notes

There are some important things to note when taking Cialis.

• The CIALIS Promise Program offers a 30-day free trial, for men prescribed with the daily dose program.

• Make sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you may have. Even though you may not be allergic to tadalfil, there may be inactive ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction.

• Cialis may cause dizziness, as such, do not drive, operate machinery or perform other activities that require your full attention, until you know how Cialis affects you.

• Be sure to let your doctor know about all of your medical conditions, especially:

• • Heart problems,
  • Stroke within the past 6 months,
  • Kidney disease,
  • Liver disease,
  • High or low blood pressure,
  • Dehydration,
  • Penis conditions (including: Peyronie’s disease, fibrosis or angulation),
  • Sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma,
  • Eye problems,
  • Bleeding disorders, and/or
  • Active stomach ulcers.

CIALIS SIDE EFFECTS

There are several potential side effects with Cialis. Some are minor inconveniences, others can be life-threatening. Be sure to tell your medical professional about any side effects you experience. Should you experience any side effects that are concerning to you, seek medical help right away. The most common side effects include:

• Headache,

• Upset stomach,

• Back pain,

• Muscle pain,

• Congested nose,

• Flushing, and/or

• Dizziness or lightheadedness (This can be reduced by rising slowly when you’re sitting or lying down.)

Potentially Life Threatening Side Effects for Cialis

The following side effects are more serious and require you to stop taking Cialis and seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. This is not a comprehensive list. If you experience any side effects that concern you, get medical help right away:

• Severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, jaw pain, left arm pain, or nausea – if you have heart problems. Cialis may put extra strain on your heart, especially during sex.

• Sudden decreased vision in one or both of your eyes (NAION).

• Sudden decrease in hearing, sometimes occurring with ringing in the ears.

• A serious allergic reaction, especially with face, tongue, or throat swelling, severe dizziness, and/or trouble breathing.

CIALIS PRECAUTIONS

• Do not take Cialis  if you take medicines called ‘nitrates,’ such as isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate, which are often prescribed for chest pain as the combination may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure

• Do not use recreational drugs called “poppers” like amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite.

• If you have an allergic reaction, such as rash, swelling of the tongue, throat, etc., seek medical attention right away.

• The active ingredients in Cialis can remain in your body for up to 2 days. The active ingredient can remain longer if you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or you are taking certain other medications.

• If you have chest pain, nausea, or dizziness during sex, stop and seek medical attention right away.

VIAGRA OVERDOSING

As with all prescription drugs, there is a danger of overdosing with Cialis. Therefore, you should ONLY take the dosage as prescribed by your physician. A 70-year-old man suffered an interacerbral hemmorhage (a type of stroke), after taking twice the prescribed dosage of Cialis.

His case was reported in Neurology, which reported, “1 hour before onset of his acute headache and…his symptoms worsened moderately during his sexual intercourse.” Although this is just a single case, it reinforces the need to only take Cialis as prescribed.

ALTERNATIVES TO CIALIS

Cialis will not cure your erectile dysfunction. It will only address the symptom of ED — the inability to maintain an erection. For this reason, you may want to try alternative treatments, before trying Cialis.

1. Healthier Lifestyle – A healthier lifestyle may help cure your ED. Be sure to eat a nutritious diet, get regular exercise, and lose weight, if you’re carrying a few extra pounds.

2. Do Penile Tissue Penis Exercises  –  Penis exercises designed to stretch the penile tissues help stimulate penile blood flow.  Read our What is Jelqing? article and our Penis Stretching pages, for complete info on these great ED exercises.

3. Do Pelvic Floor Exercises – Everyone should be Kegeling! Your sexual health begins with a strong set of pelvic floor muscles. However, DON’T overdo it! Overtraining your pelvic floor muscles can actually make erectile dysfunction worse. Read more in our article How to do Kegel Exercises for Men.

4. Stress Reduction – Erectile dysfunction can be attributed (or compounded) by stress. Take time to relax. Regular exercise can also help in stress reduction.

5. ED Lubricants – There are several vasodilator lubricants on the market that improve blood flow to the penis. Lubricants, like Enlargel, are topical, and therefore don’t have the life threatening side effects that can be associated with prescription medications.

6. Mental Health Counselling – ED may have a mental component to its cause. For this reason, seeking help from a mental health professional may actually help you address the underlying issues causing your erectile dysfunction.

7. Penis Pumps – One of the most effective treatments of erectile dysfunction that does not have the negative side effects found with Cialis, is penis pumps. Pumps, like the Bathmate, are used to pump blood into the penis, causing an erection. Then, a cock ring is used to maintain the erection. This is so effective, Medicare does cover penis pumps as a treatment for ED.

8. Over-the-Counter Supplements – There are several over-the-counter penis pills available that increase penile blood flow, giving harder, stronger erections, which can be used by men suffering from impotence.

NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION & OTHER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

Herbal remedies can be used to increase the blood flow to the penis. These over-the-counter options may be an excellent option for you, before committing to a prescription medication. We’ve received positive reviews from many PEGym members, about VigRX Plus.

There are also several other prescription erectile dysfunction medications, including Viagra and Levitra. Some men have better results with different formulations.

IN CONCLUSION

Cialis is an effective treatment of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. It can be taken either as needed or daily, depending on the recommendation of your physician. There are numerous side effects patients need to be aware of, and never take a dose greater than recommended by your physician.