Cialis, or tadalafil, is a prescription-only medication that helps manage erectile dysfunction and treat prostatic hyperplasia. One possible side effect of Cialis is changes to your blood pressure.
Cialis is a branded medication that contains the active ingredient tadalafil. It belongs to the group of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
Cialis can help manage a variety of conditions, including:
symptoms of an enlarged prostate, known as prostatic hyperplasia
erectile dysfunction
both sets of symptoms mentioned above at the same time
Like any medication, Cialis may lead to side effects. One possible side effect is changes to your blood pressure. This could be cause for concern if you take other blood pressure medications.
Cialis and blood pressure
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In certain circumstances, Cialis, the branded form of the drug tadalafil, may cause your blood pressure to drop. If you take Cialis by itself and do not take any other medications alongside it, these changes are generally mild and unlikely to be a cause for concern.
According to clinical trials, taking Cialis with no other medications was shown to cause a blood pressure drop on average of 1.6/0.8 mm Hg.
There are certain medications that can cause severe drops in blood pressure if you take them simultaneously with Cialis.
These include:
Nitrate medications
Doctors often prescribe organic nitrate medications, such as sublingual nitroglycerin tablets, for heart conditions like angina and heart failure. They work by dilating your blood vessels, which lowers your blood pressure.
A review of literature published in 2018 indicated that taking nitrate medications alongside Cialis can cause a significant drop in your blood pressure.
Guanylate cyclase stimulators
Research has shown that these medications, such as riociguat (Adempas), are also effective for treating cardiovascular conditions like pulmonary high blood pressure (hypertension).
Therefore, taking Cialis on top of one of these medications for high blood pressure puts you more at risk of a severe drop in blood pressure.
Antihypertensives
Taking Cialis with other blood pressure medications can increase the effects of these medications, including drops in blood pressure.
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Other than low blood pressure, there are many other possible side effects of Cialis, as with all medications. These range from mild to severe and common to uncommon. But not everyone will experience any of these side effects.
For example, some of the most common side effects that people taking Cialis report experiencing include:
headaches
upset stomach or nausea
back pain
stuffy nose
muscle aches
coughing
throat infections
Mild side effects of Cialis are common and should go away on their own.
Most of these side effects are temporary, but should they persist, they can be easily manageable. However, if they interfere with your daily life, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor.
Cialis can cause some more serious side effects, but these are rare in clinical studies for this medication.
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Even though taking Cialis can lead to possible side effects and drug interactions, it can have other health benefits.
Pulmonary hypertension
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe drugs containing tadalafil to help treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure specific to the blood vessels that supply the lungs with blood. It works by relaxing your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pass through to your lungs.
Tadalafil is available in the brands Adcirca and ALYQ for pulmonary hypertension treatment.
Note that the dose used to treat pulmonary hypertension is higher than the recommended dose for treating ED, so a doctor will evaluate your condition and prescribe the medication accordingly.
Benign prostate enlargement
Cialis properties that help increase blood flow by relaxing blood vessels can also help relax the muscles in the bladder and prostate.
This means that if you are experiencing bladder issues because of prostate enlargement, Cialis can help. The FDA has now approved Cialis to treat signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Safe blood pressure medications
There are various types of blood pressure medication available. Some people report that certain types cause erectile dysfunction. In fact, research indicates that 25% of erectile dysfunction (ED) is the result of medications.
However, it’s important to note the link between hypertension and ED that research suggests. ED may be a sign of hypertension, and managing hypertension might in turn manage your ED without the need to take Cialis.
You can take most types of doctor-prescribed antihypertensive medications with Cialis.
One class of blood pressure medication that may be safe to take alongside Cialis is diuretics such as spironolactone (Aldactone). These work by reducing the amount of water in your bloodstream.
If your blood pressure medication is causing symptoms of ED, speak with a doctor about trying an alternative medication.
Summary
Cialis is an effective medication for treating symptoms of ED. It contains the active ingredient tadalafil. Cialis can also help manage symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and pulmonary hypertension.
One possible side effect of this medication is that it can slightly lower your blood pressure. If you’re taking medication to lower your blood pressure, it may be unsafe for you to take Cialis. This is because Cialis will enhance the effects of your blood pressure medication.
Talking with a healthcare professional can be helpful in determining whether Cialis is a suitable option for your medical needs.
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Ethans KD, et al. (2018). A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial assessing the effect of tadalafil (Cialis) on the cardiovascular response in men with complete spinal cord injury above the sixth thoracic level: A pilot study. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41394-018-0137-9
