Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction or enlarged prostate

About tadalafil

Erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence) means that you cannot get or maintain a proper erection. There are several causes, the most common being due to a narrowing of the arteries that take blood to the penis.

Tadalafil works by preventing the action of a chemical in your body, called phosphodiesterase type 5. This helps to relax (widen) blood vessels and improves the flow of blood to the penis following sexual stimulation. This helps to maintain an erection.

Tadalafil is available on prescription, but it is only prescribed on the NHS for men with erectile dysfunction resulting from certain medical conditions. If you are given a private (non-NHS) prescription, you will be asked to pay for the tablets.

Tadalafil is also prescribed for men with prostate gland enlargement. The prostate gland commonly becomes larger in older men. The condition is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate is situated close to the bladder, so its enlargement can cause problems with passing urine. Common symptoms that are experienced are having to wait before your urine starts to flow, taking longer at the toilet, dribbling urine, and a feeling that your bladder is not quite empty. Tadalafil works by improving the blood flow to the prostate and bladder, and also by relaxing the muscles in these areas. These actions help urine to follow more easily.

Another brand of tadalafil tablets called Adcirca® is used to treat a completely different condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension - see the separate medicine leaflet called Tadalafil for pulmonary hypertension if you have been prescribed this brand of tadalafil tablets.

Antes de tomar tadalafilo

Algunos medicamentos no son adecuados para personas con determinadas afecciones, y a veces un medicamento sólo puede utilizarse si se toman precauciones adicionales. Por estas razones, antes de empezar a tomar tadalafilo es importante que su médico lo sepa:

• Si padece alguna enfermedad, lesión o deformidad del pene.

• If you have a heart condition, or blood vessel disease.

• If you have had an eye condition causing loss of vision.

• If you have low blood pressure or angina.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de su hígado, o si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de sus riñones.

• If you have had a stroke or a heart attack.

• Si tienes anemia falciforme.

• Si ha padecido cáncer de médula ósea o leucemia.

• Si toma o utiliza otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como hierbas medicinales, medicamentos complementarios y drogas recreativas.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.
  

Cómo tomar tadalafil

• Antes de tomar tadalafilo, lea el prospecto impreso del fabricante que encontrará en el interior del envase. Le dará más información sobre los comprimidos y le proporcionará una lista completa de los efectos secundarios que podría experimentar al tomarlos.

• Take tadalafil exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are several strengths of tablet.

  • If you are taking tadalafil 10 mg or 20 mg tablets for erectile dysfunction: these tablets should only be taken before sexual activity - they are NOT for continuous daily use. You should take one tablet at least half an hour before you plan to have sex (it may still be effective up to 36 hours after taking the tablet). Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

  • If you are taking tadalafil 2.5 mg or 5 mg tablets for erectile dysfunction: take one tablet a day. Take the tablet at the same time of day each day.

  • If you are taking tadalafil 5 mg because of an enlarged prostate gland: take one tablet daily. Take the tablet at the same time of day each day.

• You can take tadalafil either with or without food. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

• Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure it contains the strength of tablet you are expecting.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• It is recommended that you do not drink grapefruit juice with tadalafil. This is because there is a chemical in grapefruit juice which can increase the amount of tadalafil in your bloodstream. This could make side-effects more likely.

• Acuda regularmente a las citas con su médico para que pueda controlar su evolución.

Additional information for men taking tadalafil for erectile dysfunction

• You and your partner will still need to engage in foreplay, just as you would if you were not taking a medicine for erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil will not cause an erection unless you are sexually aroused.

• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol before you plan to take tadalafil. Drinking too much alcohol can reduce your ability to get an erection and this may prevent you from getting the maximum benefit from the tablets.

• If you do not get an erection after taking tadalafil, or if it does not last long enough for you to have sex, discuss this with your doctor - do not take more tablets than you have been told to. Alternatively, if you feel the tablets are too strong for you, you should discuss this with your doctor too.

• You should not take tadalafil if you are using any other products or taking any other medicines to treat erectile dysfunction.

¿Puede causar problemas el tadalafil?

Además de sus efectos útiles, la mayoría de los medicamentos pueden provocar efectos secundarios no deseados, aunque no todas las personas los sufran. La siguiente tabla contiene algunos de los efectos secundarios más frecuentes asociados al tadalafilo. El mejor lugar para encontrar una lista completa de los efectos secundarios que pueden estar asociados con su medicamento, es el prospecto impreso del fabricante suministrado con el medicamento. Si lo prefiere, puede encontrar un ejemplo de prospecto en la sección de referencias. Hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes efectos secundarios persiste o le resulta molesto.

Important: if you get an erection which lasts for longer than four hours, or if you get chest pains or a sudden loss of vision or hearing, contact a doctor for medical attention straightaway.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

Cómo almacenar tadalafil

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos