Cialis Interaction: with Food, Alcohol and Other Drugs
You may be wondering if taking Cialis will require a change in your eating or drinking habits. If you’re taking other medications, you may be worrying about a possible unpleasant drug interaction.
Most likely, you are considering this medication to restore your sexual functioning. This article will address these concerns. While your doctor is the only person qualified to advise you on taking this or any medication, this article provides a basic starting point.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is a medication that treats male sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction, and impotence. Cialis treats these disorders by increasing blood flow to the penis. This helps men achieve and maintain an erection. Cialis is also prescribed for men without ED to treat an enlarged prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It does this by relaxing the muscle tissue in the prostate and bladder.
Cialis is also known by its generic name Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. A single Cialis pill can contain between 2.5 and 20 milligrams of Tadalafil, depending on the strength of your prescription.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is characterized by the inability to maintain an erection. This can lead to the inability to have sexual intercourse. There are many causes of ED, most of them related to lifestyle factors.
The symptoms of ED are made worse by lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity. Chronic disease, especially diabetes, is also a factor. Healthy men tend to have lower rates of ED than men who have been diagnosed with a chronic illness. Certain medications, such as tranquilizers, antidepressants and blood pressure drugs, also exacerbate symptoms of ED.
ED can leave you feeling helpless. It can make men feel like they are losing their vigor. They may feel older than they really are. This disorder doesn’t just affect men. It also, indirectly, affects the partners of men affected with ED. These partners may feel as if their husband or boyfriend isn’t attracted to them anymore.
ED it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is very common. According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study, up to 52% of the U.S. male population has ED. At age 40, a man’s risk of ED is about 40%. This figure raises to 70% by age 70. Though this is a common issue, that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. Treatment options like Cialis are available so you can continue to enjoy having an active sex life.
List of Cialis Side Effects
Cialis is known to have several side effects. Most are relatively mild. Although rare, Cialis can have severe side effects.
The most common side effects of Cialis are:
- nausea;
- headache;
- muscle pain;
- dizziness upon standing;
- light-headedness.
Less common side effects are:
- rapid heartbeat;
- fainting;
- decreased vision;
- decreased hearing or ringing in ears;
- severe allergic reaction.
Medical Conditions that Could Complicate Use of Cialis
The presence of certain medical conditions could make it dangerous for you to use Cialis. If you have or have had any of the following conditions, you should inform your doctor before using Cialis.
- chest pain;
- heart failure;
- untreated high or low blood pressure;
- stroke;
- stomach ulcers or stomach bleeding;
- Kidney or liver problems;
- pulmonary hypertension;
- Peyronie’s disease.
Cialis Interaction
Can I Take Cialis with Food?
It is safe to intake Cialis with food. You should, however, avoid drinking lots of grapefruit juice. This can exacerbate the drug’s blood pressure lowering effect.
Can I Take Alcohol with Cialis?
Can I drink alcohol during therapy? – one of the most frequently asked question in the doctor’s. Physicians claim that there is no medication that would not interact with alcohol. Even a small glass of wine can lead to destructive consequences. It is the mixing of active components inside provokes a negative reaction. The patient need to prioritize and decide what he needs – fast and high-quality treatment or a temporary pleasure.
Cialis should not be taken in combination with large amounts of alcohol. Because Cialis lowers blood pressure, alcohol can exacerbate this effect. Other side effects caused by using Cialis with alcohol include dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, fainting and heart palpitations. Drinking alcohol in moderation is recommended for healthy sexual function in men. Excessive alcohol consumption can inhibit a man’s ability to get an erection.
Cialis and Medicines
Here is a quick guide to the medications discussed below:
Drug Name | Drug Type | Interaction with Cialis |
---|---|---|
Dapoxetine | SSRI Antidepressant | Moderate |
Amoxicillin | Antibiotic | Minor |
Clarithromycin | Antibiotic | Minor |
Erythromycin | Antibiotic | Minor |
Alpha-Blocker | Blood Pressure Medication | Moderate |
Tamsulosin | BPH Medication | Minor/Moderate |
Nitrates | Chest Pain Medication | Severe |
Boceprevir | Hepatitis C Medication | Severe |
Telaprevir | Hepatitis C Medication | Severe |
Riociguat | Pulmonary Hypertension Medication | Severe |
Dapoxetine
The drug information on Dapoxetine states that you should inform your doctor if you are taking Tadalafil (Cialis). These drugs taken in combination can cause severe low blood pressure.
Dapoxetine is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). SSRI’s are most commonly used to treat major depressive disorder. Dapoxetine, however, is prescribed to treat premature ejaculation. Dapoxetine is sold under the brand names Priligy and Westoxetin. This medication is commonly sold in the UK and most parts of the EU. It is not available in the United States.
Antibiotics
Cialis has moderate interactions with antibiotics like amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin. These drugs increase the amount of Cialis in the bloodstream which can lead to complications.
Blood Pressure Pills
Since Cialis affects a person’s blood pressure, be sure to inform your doctor of any blood pressure medications you are taking.
There are several classes of blood pressure pills on the market. These include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and several others. Most of these medications can be combined with Cialis without complication.
Alpha-blockers is a group of medication commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. They are sometimes also prescribed for prostate issues. This class of drugs may cause unpleasant interactions with Cialis.
To avoid problems and complications, constantly consult your doctor. It will track your condition, to issue temporary recommendations and adjust treatment. The doctor will determine if you can take cialis with blood pressure medication, determine safe dosage and additional factors.
Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin, also known as Flomax, is a medication that treats an enlarged prostate. Although the potential for serious interaction with Cialis is minor it is still possible. The drug information for Tamsulosin discourages men from using Tamsulosin in combination with similar acting medications.
Since both Tamsulosin and Cialis relax the muscle tissue around the prostate you should consult your doctor before taking these medications in combination.
Other Drugs
Before taking Cialis, it is very important to inform your doctor of any other medications you may be taking. This is because using certain medicine in Combination with Cialis can have severe side effects.
Nitrates are one group of medication known to cause severe reactions when taken with Cialis. Nitrates, which include nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate are frequently prescribed for chest pain. Taking these drugs in combination with Tadalafil (Cialis) can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Dizziness or loss of consciousness may result.
Other Drugs that Have Severe Reactions to Cialis
- CGMP Specific PDE Type-5 Inhibitors interactions with Nitrates. This group of drugs can cause a severe drop in blood pressure when taken with Cialis. It also increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
- Sildenafil; Tadalafil (for PAH) interactions with Boceprevir, Telaprevir. The drugs Boceprevir and telaprevir treat Hepatitis C. They can slow down the rate at which your liver processes Tadalafil (Cialis). This could lead to an increased level of Tadalafil in the bloodstream, which can have harmful effects.
- Cialis interactions with Riociguat/PDE Inhibitors. Riociguat is a medication often prescribed for Pulmonary Hypertension. It should not be taken with Tadalafil (Cialis). This combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, dizziness or loss of consciousness. It also increases your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Anything Else I Should Know?
If you have any questions about ED drugs and possible drug interactions you should ask your doctor or pharmacist. These are the only people qualified to give you advice on which medications are right for you.
Before discussing Cialis with your doctor, be sure to inform your doctor of your entire medical history. This is especially important if you have a family history of heart attack, stroke, liver disease, kidney disease or high or low blood pressure.
This drug does not protect against sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy. To protect against sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy you must wear a condom during sexual intercourse. Some active ingredients in Cialis remain in the bloodstream for up to two days after taking a single pill. If you suffer from liver or kidney problems, it may remain longer. Do not forget to grab our bestseller – free Cialis sample pack!