What is Cialis: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Cialis side effects

Like any other drug, Cialis has the potential to cause certain adverse reactions. The most common side effects include:

• Headache

• Indigestion

• Muscle aches or muscle pain

• Back pain

• Nasal congestion

• Flushing

• Stomach pain or discomfort

• Pain in the arms or legs

There are some serious side effects that anyone considering Cialis should know. Erections lasting more than four hours (called priapism) require medical help. Otherwise, there’s a risk of lasting damage to the surrounding penile tissue. 

While Cialis hasn't been linked to long-term heart problems, it can drop blood pressure to dangerously low levels (especially when taken with another vasodilator), potentially causing dizziness, fainting, heart attack, and stroke. 

In rare cases, Cialis can also cause loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Anyone experiencing one of these reactions should seek medical attention immediately. 

Even though Cialis can help sustain an erection, it won't prevent ejaculation, so contraceptives are still necessary to avoid pregnancy.

And it doesn't work for everyone (although it's effective for most). Fortunately, there are backup options. The first option would be adjusting the dosage or trying a different ED drug. If that doesn't work, penile injections, vacuum restriction pumps, and penile implants are viable options.

How do other ED pills compare to Cialis?

There are several different drugs on the market that can treat erectile dysfunction:

Viagra (sildenafil):

• Viagra only lasts three to five hours (compared to Cialis, which lasts up to 36), but it's also often less expensive. Most often, it's prescribed for use as needed, not every day.

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• Compare to Cialis

Levitra (vardenafil):

• Levitra only lasts three to five hours and isn't intended for daily use. Like Viagra, it's usually somewhat cheaper than Cialis.

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• Compare to Cialis

Stendra (avanafil):

• This drug works a lot faster than Cialis, so it's good for spur-of-the-moment sexual activity, and it lasts for six hours on average. However, it's also more expensive than the alternatives.

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• Compare to Viagra

Generic versions of tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil are also available for significantly lower prices than their brand-name counterparts. Stendra is only available as a brand-name drug, as generic avanafil has not yet been approved.

Which one is best? That depends on the specific person. Tadalafil and sildenafil have shown similar efficacy in treating ED. However, tadalafil can function continuously when taken daily, while sildenafil should be taken as needed. Avanafil is somewhat similar to sildenafil in chemical structure and effect. Anyone who is on a budget might look into a generic option rather than a brand name since they're quite a bit more affordable. Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil have all shown efficacy in treating the symptoms of BPH too, although they can interact negatively with alpha-blockers, another common BPH treatment.

In terms of side effects, “Cialis and Viagra can have a different effect on the body,” Dr. Hall says. “Viagra tends to cause more vasodilation throughout the body, including in the nasal region, which can cause a lot of congestion. Viagra also has an effect on the eye, which can cause a blue hue, as it may impact retinal circulation.”