Cialis: Alternative to Viagra

Many men suffer from what is known as erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erect penis. The causes for erectile dysfunction can be physical as well as psychological. We hear about Viagra all the time. Well, not only is Viagra effective for erectile dysfunction, but another drug known as Cialis (Tadalafil) can also be an effective treatment for this disorder. If your doctor has prescribed Cialis (Tadalafil) to you, or if you are merely interested in learning more about Cialis (Tadalafil), then this literature will prove beneficial to you by helping you become more comfortable and aware regarding the effects that Cialis (Tadalafil) has on your body, and inevitably, your life.

Cialis (Tadalafil) comes in the dosage forms of tablets. The tablets range from yellow to orange. The five milligram tablets come in yellow. The ten milligram tablets come in a dark yellow and the twenty milligram tablets of Cialis (Tadalafil) comes in the orange color. If you are taking Cialis (Tadalafil) for the treating erectile dysfunction, the recommended dose for most patients is usually ten milligrams taken as needed before any sexual activity takes place. Cialis (Tadalafil) may be increased to twenty milligrams or even decreased to five milligrams depending on how it works in your body, and how little or how much the side effects bother you. If you are using Cialis (Tadalafil) for hepatic impairment, you should not take more than ten milligrams of Cialis (Tadalafil) in a day. If you are a patient with severe hepatic function, you should not be taking Cialis (Tadalafil) at all. If you are a patient with moderate renal impairment, you should not go over ten milligrams of Cialis (Tadalafil) every forty eight hours. Patients that have a more progressed and severe form of renal impairment should not go over five milligrams every forty eight hours. Patients taking any CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconoazle or ritonavir, should not take more than ten milligrams of Cialis (Tadalafil) in a seventy two hour period.

To understand how Cialis (Tadalafil) works in your body, it's important to first understand how your penis functions. Nitric oxide is released from your body into the corpus cavernosum (the spongy area inside your penis) after you get sexually excited. The nitric oxide that was released activates an enzyme which then increases the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which in turn relaxes the smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum and allows the flow of blood. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate is the key in getting and maintaining an erection. Cialis (Tadalafil) stops chemicals in the body which are responsible for lowering the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. So as you see, cGMP is your friend. Cialis (Tadalafil) however has no effect unless you are sexually stimulated.

If you are taking any CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 inhibitors, this may increase the concentration of Cialis (Tadalafil). (This is not necessarily a good thing.) CYP3A4 or CYP3A5 can include erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, indinavir, ritonavir, and surprisingly enough, grapefruit juice! If you are taking Cialis (Tadalafil) with any nitrates or alpha-adrenergic blockers, your blood pressure may be significantly lowered. So if you're a patient using any organic nitrates or alpha-adrenergic blocker medications, Cialis (Tadalafil) may not be for you. If you are taking tamsulosin).4 mg, then this is the only exception. Keep in mind that sexual activity can increase cardiac risk, so your doctor should have monitored the state of your cardiovascular system prior to prescribing you Cialis (Tadalafil). If you are a patient that has ever suffered from priaprism (a state where your penis is erect without sexual activity and for a very prolonged time), then taking Cialis (Tadalafil) should be used cautiously. Patients who are prone to priaprism, such as those with multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or any anatomical penis deformation should also use Cialis (Tadalafil) with extreme caution. Priaprism can be a very serious and unwanted side effect which may result in surgery to the penis, as well as permanent damage to the penis. If you do experience an erection that lasts for more than four hours, seek medical help right away. This could be a terribly painful condition, not to mention embarrassing.

The most common side effects that may be experienced while using Cialis (Tadalafil) include headaches, indigestion, back pain, flushing, nasal congestion, and/or myalgia (muscle pain). Keep in mind that Cialis (Tadalafil) does not protect you from any sexually transmitted diseases. Store Cialis (Tadalafil) in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and children. Sunlight may lessen the potency of this and any other drug. If you experience any severe side effects, contact your doctor as soon as you can and schedule an appointment. If you do experience a prolonged erection for more than for hours, remember to seek medical care right away. And also importantly, do not take Cialis (Tadalafil) with nitrates or alpha-adrenergic blockers (except for tamsulosin 0.4 mg).