About Tadalafil 20 mg Tablet
Tadalafil 20 mg Tablet contains Tadalafil 20 mg. This medicine is used to treat erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection) in men. It helps only when there is sexual stimulation. Some strengths are also used for an enlarged prostate. It must never be taken with nitrate medicines for chest pain.
Uses of Tadalafil 20 mg Tablet
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (lower strengths, as decided by a doctor)
Benefits
In erectile dysfunction
It improves blood flow to the penis so that an erection is easier to get and keep with sexual stimulation. Its effect can last up to about 36 hours.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Headache
- Flushing
- Indigestion
- Back pain or muscle aches
- Blocked nose
- Dizziness
Get medical help if you notice
- An erection that lasts more than 4 hours — seek emergency care
- Sudden loss or reduction of vision in one or both eyes — stop and seek emergency care
- Sudden loss or reduction of hearing, or ringing in the ears — stop and get medical help
- Chest pain during or after sex — stop and seek emergency care; tell doctors you took this medicine
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food. Do not take it more than once a day.
How it works
It blocks an enzyme called PDE5. This relaxes blood vessel walls in the penis, increasing blood flow when you are sexually aroused.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Drinking a lot of alcohol with it can cause dizziness and a drop in blood pressure. Keep alcohol to a minimum.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
This medicine is not intended for women for erectile dysfunction.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
This medicine is not intended for women for erectile dysfunction.
Driving Caution
It may cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may limit the dose if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may limit the dose if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
It is usually taken when needed. If you take a daily dose and miss one, take it when you remember the same day. Do not take two doses in one day.
Quick tips
- Never take it with nitrate medicines (such as glyceryl trinitrate or isosorbide) — it can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, low blood pressure, or have had a stroke.
- Avoid large amounts of grapefruit juice.
- It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Carboline derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Urology / sexual health
- Action class
- Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Nitrates (such as glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate) and riociguat | Must not be taken together — dangerous drop in blood pressure |
| Alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin) and other blood pressure medicines | Can lower blood pressure too much |
| Ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin | Raise tadalafil levels and side effects |
| Rifampicin | Can make tadalafil less effective |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Tadalafil prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: tadalafil). Pharmacist review pending.