How to Get Maximum Effect from Cialis (Tadalafil)
People turn to ED-treating drugs to be at their best in an intimate moment, so the desire to use them in the most effective way and get the maximum result is purely logical. However, when speaking about pharmaceutical help, it is important to keep in mind an old saying from Paracelsus: “Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy.” This means that the greatest benefits can turn to harm when there is too much of them.
Cialis is the brand name of tadalafil. It is one of the most popular medications indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction because it is commonly available, simple to take, lasts longer than other drugs from its group, like Viagra, and is comparatively safe. Tadalafil is also well-studied, which is why the best way to take Cialis for maximum effect is to strictly follow instructions. This article will provide an explanation of the main points along with some additional insights.
Cialis and Erectile Dysfunction
The main indication for using tadalafil is erectile dysfunction, the condition when a person has difficulties getting and maintaining an erection. The medication can be taken for use as needed, when issues with having an erection are occasional, a person is simply nervous, or wants to be confident in themselves with a new partner. The other way is once daily use for the systematical treatment of a chronic ED. Both methods differ in the clinical picture, patient’s presentation, and also in usage in dosage of the drug.
In respect of an action mechanism, Cialis works as a vasodilator. This means it helps to fill the penis with blood, thus making it erect and maintaining this status, so the organ will be hard enough for a long enough period so the person can have satisfactory intercourse. It does not create arousal so adequate sexual stimulation will still be needed for an erection to occur. So, in order to get the maximum effect from Cialis, it should be taken with the goal to support a vascular mechanism of erection, not creating a sex drive if there is none.
How Cialis Works
In terms of its pharmacodynamics (the effects the drug has on the organism), Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This medication reduces the contractile activity of smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum, which is a spongy tissue that forms the penis, and its blood vessels. Therefore, the blood flow to the penis increases, and its cavernous spaces get filled with blood which creates an erection.
Dosage
The available dosages of tadalafil include 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg. For use when needed, the starting suggested dose is 10 mg. To increase the effectiveness of Cialis, later it can be corrected accordingly to reaction intensity and tolerance by decreasing it to 5 mg or raising it to 20 mg. Because the pill needs time to be absorbed and start working, it should be taken approximately an hour before sex.
When treating a chronic ED, a once-daily use scheme is applied. In this case, the dosage begins at 2.5 mg per day at roughly the same time, with no regard for sexual activity. If needed, the administrated dose could be raised to 5 mg.
It is not advisable to take the medication more often than once per day as its effect lasts up to 36 hours which means in three days it can still be in your system and another intake will be on top of the latter dose. And if you are interested in whether you can double up on Cialis, the answer is no. Taking a larger dose of the drug without prior consultation with your doctor can lead to an overdose.
Dosage Table
| Cialis 20mg/Pills | Cialis 10mg/Pills | Cialis 5mg/Pills | Cialis 2.5mg/Pills |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mg x 10 | 10mg x 10 | 5mg x 10 | 2.5mg x 30 |
| 20mg x 20 | 10mg x 20 | 5mg x 20 | 2.5mg x 60 |
| 20mg x 30 | 10mg x 30 | 5mg x 30 | 2.5mg x 120 |
| 20mg x 60 | 10mg x 60 | 5mg x 60 | 2.5mg x 240 |
| 20mg x 90 | 10mg x 90 | 5mg x 90 | 2.5mg x 300 |
| 20mg x 120 | 10mg x 120 | 5mg x 120 | |
| 20mg x 180 Free Delivery |
10mg x 180 Free Delivery |
5mg x 180 | |
| 20mg x 270 Free Delivery |
10mg x 270 Free Delivery |
5mg x 270 Free Delivery |
|
| 20mg x 360 Free Delivery |
10mg x 360 Free Delivery |
5mg x 360 Free Delivery |
Overdose
Patients often ask if can too much Cialis cause ED in fear of a backfire from overstimulation. Clinical testing of tadalafil proves the suggestion wrong: healthy participants were being given single doses of up to 500 mg or multiple daily doses of up to 100 mg. The same adverse effects, as with regular use, have been observed, including:
- decreased blood pressure;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- muscle pain;
- GI disorders, such as nausea, dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- lightheadedness with possible fainting;
- flushing (skin redness in facial and neck areas);
The most severe possible side effects from Cialis may be:
All the conditions above require medical help, so if experiencing something similar, contact your doctor or another medical professional immediately.
Interactions
In order to get the maximum effect from tadalafil, you should combine it neither with substances that decrease its absorption lessening the impact nor with drugs, food, or drinks that make Cialis more effective as it increases the risk of side phenomena.
You can always find detailed information regarding what increases the effect of Cialis or negates it, in the instruction. All the most significant possible interactions are listed there.
Alcohol
Alcohol is an interesting substance that can both enhance and impair the effectiveness of tadalafil. Returning to Paracelsus’ quote, it is all about the dose.
Alcohol is a depressant that inhibits the functions of the central neural system causing, among other things, a sedative effect. In small amounts of drinks, it is perfectly fine as it can actually help you deal with some stress and anxiety and ease off these psychological factors that may induce erectile dysfunction. Also, when taken in small to moderate doses, alcohol works as a vasodilator, too, which may potentially boost the effect of Cialis. The latter requires caution because increasing the intensity of the corresponding effect of the drug causes hypotension, which is a blood-pressure-level drop that can lead to:
- headache;
- head spin;
- nausea;
- tachicardia (elevated pulse rate);
- postural, or orthostatic hypotension;
- feeling of weakness and fainting.
Intoxicating doses of alcohol have the reverse effect. It makes the walls of the blood vessel more constricted and causes dehydration which worsens the blood flow.
Food
The FDA-approved prescribing information about Cialis states that it is not significantly affected by previously consumed food products and, thus, can be taken without regard to food. Do keep in mind, though, that taking a pill after you’ve eaten much food, especially when it was fatty and nourishing, may increase the time needed by your body to absorb the drug and you will have to wait longer to feel its effect.
Also, it is not recommended to use Cialis with raw grapefruit, its juice, processed fruit, or dishes containing it. The reason for that is the way tadalafil gets into your system: the medication is metabolized via the CYP3A4 isozyme. A substance in grapefruit juice prevents CYP3A4 from functioning in the GI tract’s enterocytes. Tadalafil levels may rise, and some people may have an increase in tadalafil-related adverse effects.
Drugs
Here is a list of medications that were reported to interact with Cialis during clinical testing. If the person is taking any drugs, they should tell their doctor while getting a prescription for Cialis so the medical provider can pick up the most suitable option. Drug interaction may increase medication exposure in the body which means its levels will be higher, thus, it will be stronger and more likely to cause side effects. It can also do the otherwise and lessen the drug efficacy.
- Heart medications and antihypertensives, such as nitrates or alpha blockers are a contraindication for taking tadalafil or require additional caution depending on the drug. They lessen the blood pressure level which, in combination with such an effect from Cialis, may lead to dangerous situations.
- Some antibiotics, like rifampicin, can make tadalafil less effective. Others, like erythromycin, are preventing it from breaking in the body, increasing its exposure.
- Antifungals and HIV medication (e.g. ketoconazole, ritonavir) increase drug exposure.
- Antiseizure medications, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital, have no direct interactions with Cialis, but would likely decrease its exposure.
Also, you should not take Cialis with other PDE-5 inhibitors, such as Viagra or Levitra, because it increases the risk of overdosing.
