You may have heard about Cialis, but did you know, tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis, is also the generic-named option offered by the Eli Lilly Company and many other drug manufacturers as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED)? According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic drugs are just as effective as their more expensive brand-name medications. They are held at the same standards to make sure they can be approved to serve the general public.
For a generic medication to even be considered, it must reach the same level of strength, safety, effectiveness, stability, and quality as the brand-name drug to be approved by the FDA.
Have you or someone you know been thinking about taking generic Cialis to treat ED? Continue to learn everything you need to know before taking tadalafil.
Who Makes Generic Cialis?
Eli Lilly and Co. are the original gangsters in Cialis manufacturing, but since Eli’s Cialis patent expired in 2018, there are now seventeen other players in the generic Cialis game.
FDA-approved companies that can sell tadalafil include:
Accord Healthcare
Ajanta Pharma
Alembic Pharmaceuticals
Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Aurobindo Pharma
Cipla
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Hetero Drugs
Lupin
Macleods Pharmaceuticals
Mylan
Qilu Pharmaceuticals
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co.
Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Unichem Pharmaceuticals
Zydus Pharmaceuticals
Conditions Treated by Tadalafil
As we are all aware, tadalafil most commonly treats erectile dysfunction (ED), sometimes known as impotence in men. Nevertheless, it is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a condition that causes a man’s prostate to become enlarged, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which is high blood pressure in the lungs caused by an obstruction in the small arteries in the lungs.
Regardless of the condition, tadalafil and Cialis are only available by prescription that is given to you by a board-certified medical doctor, so if you or someone you know is dealing with one of the conditions listed above, it is best to make an appointment with your primary care physician or check out our pre-vetted, reviewed, and comprehensive list of the best online doctors and digital clinics that can quickly, conveniently, and discreetly let you know if you’re the right candidate for taking tadalafil.
One Online Doctor that we highly recommend is K Health. K Health offers first-rate healthcare to treat a wide variety of conditions, including ED. The board-certified doctors at K can also provide you prescriptions for generic Cialis at the best prices we've seen to date.
It is important to let you know early on in this article (you know, so we don’t waste your time) that tadalafil, like other PDE5 inhibitors, can be dangerous if combined with nitrate-based medications that treat other conditions, such as high blood pressure or angina.
Generic Tadafil Vs. Cialis
As we briefly touched on in the first portion of this article, generic versions approved by the FDA are just as effective as their brand-name counterparts. The FDA does the same meticulous inspection for generic medications as they do for brand-name drugs to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and quality remain the same. In fact, companies typically release generic versions of name-brand medications so that they stay competitive once their patent has expired and a million other companies don’t steal their business.
The only real difference you’re going to notice when it comes to these two drugs is the cost and how they look. Both Cialis and tadalafil are yellow, but Cialis is oval-shaped and expensive (around $20 per pill), and generic tadalafil is either oval or circle-shaped and much more affordable (generally $10 or less per tablet).
Of course, pricing depends on the strength of the dose per pill, what is covered by your insurance, and the pharmacy you’re getting it from.
Pro Tip: Check out, GoodRx for some killer discounts.
What is a PDE5 Inhibitor, and How Do They Work?
Yes, we did mention PDE5 inhibitors earlier and didn’t quite explain; sorry about that!
Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, falls into a category of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that block an enzyme called PDE5, which can slow or block the blood from reaching your penis. Welp, this literal ‘cock block’ stops your “member” from releasing a molecule called nitric oxide (NO), which activates a series of chemical reactions that increase blood flow to your penis by relaxing your blood vessels. So, when you take tadalafil, it’s kind of like a day at the spa for your manhood, including the happy ending.
How to Take Tadalafil
Like most oral medications, you can take them either daily or as needed. One thing that separates Cialis apart from other ED drugs is that Cialis and tadalafil can be taken as needed, 30 minutes before engaging in any sexual activity, or it can be taken daily at a lower dosage. The strength of these little yellow pills ranges from 2.5mg to 20mg (milligrams).
If you decide to take the daily Cialis (once per day) route, your doctor will most likely start you on a 2.5mg. Then, depending on how it affects you and whether you’re experiencing any side effects, you can adjust the dosage accordingly. It is advised that you take daily tadalafil at the same time each day so that the medication levels stay consistent, as it’s always in your system. This is excellent news if you’re the spontaneous type and like to have sex without a schedule.
If the as-needed option is more your speed, your doctor will typically start you at the 10mg dose level, again, to see how you react to its effectiveness. This option requires a little pre-planning, so be sure to take the tablet at least 30 minutes before having sex.
For those taking Cialis or the generic tadalafil to treat BPH, the typical dose is 5 mg per day and should be taken at the same time every day to ensure your bladder stays as active as possible.
Generic Cialis Side Effects
Whenever you decide to take any medication, it is essential to read about and consider the side effects you may experience to ensure that the positive outweighs the possible negative.
There are many potential side effects of generic tadalafil; the same side effects exist with Cialis. Common, more severe, and rare side effects can be experienced when taking this medication.
Common side effects of tadalafil
Indigestions
Muscle pain
Stuffy nose
Flushing of the face
Belching
Heartburn
Gastrointestinal issues
Severe side effects of tadalafil
Painful erections lasting more than four hours
Vision problems, including loss of vision and seeing blue when looking at things
Hearing loss
Low blood pressure
Dizziness
Chest pain
Ringing in the ears
Rare side effects of tadalafil
Blurred vision
Jaw pain
Slow or quick heartbeat
Spontaneous erections
Sweating, including cold sweats
Vomiting
Suppose any of the above becomes a prolonged issue, or you are concerned about anything else you’re experiencing after starting tadalafil. It is advisable to call your doctor and go to the nearest urgent care center, emergency room, or call 911 immediately.
Other Medication Interactions That Could Effect You
While Cialis and tadalafil have gone through the rigorous FDA approval process to ensure it’s safe to take, it is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you’re taking before you start taking tadalafil. There are a handful of drugs that have adverse reactions when combined. According to the FDA, combining Cialis with nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure and lead to fainting, dizziness, headaches, and even be fatal.
The FDA also recommends that you avoid the following medications if you’re taking tadalafil:
Erythritol tetranitrate
Boceprevir
Isosorbide Mononitrate
Nitroglycerin
Riociguat
Isosorbide Dinitrate
Amyl Nitrite
Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate
Telaprevir
Propatyl Nitrate
There are also some categories of drugs that may interact adversely with tadalafil. These include:
High blood pressure drugs
Angina drugs
HIV drugs
Oral antifungal drugs
Other ED drugs
Pulmonary arterial hypertension drugs
Stomach acid drugs
Epilepsy drugs
Hepatitis C drugs
It is also recommended that you don’t drink or eat grapefruit and minimize your alcohol and tobacco intake, as these things could affect your liver function.
Other Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
Other medications
There are three other medications available on the market that treat ED, including, Standra (avanafil), Viagra (sildenafil), and Levitra/Staxyn (vardenafil). These medications are taken as needed and typically work the same as Cialis. The only differences between these drugs are the cost, what they look like, how they interact with other medications, and any side effects they may cause.
Lifestyle changes
There is no cure for ED, but making little changes in your lifestyle can help prevent the symptoms of ED. Some of the lifestyle changes you could think about include:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising regularly
Avoiding tobacco
Minimizing alcohol intake
Eating a more healthy diet
Sometimes lifestyle changes can be challenging to do on your own. If you need a little extra encouragement to eat better, exercise, or maintain a healthy weight, do yourself a favor and check out Noom. Noom is a smartphone app for people looking to improve their overall health or lose weight and has a community of people who are there with you on the journey to betterment.
Wearable Penis Devices
Now, we're not talking about your run-of-the-mill cock ring from the local sex shop. We're talking about devices that are FDA-registered to specifically treat ED. Wearable devices are best for men that aren't interested in taking prescription medication or for those who have tried the "little blue pill" and didn't see the results they were promised. Companies like Giddy have recently introduced a product called Eddie by Giddy that is available OTC for men suffering from mild to moderate ED. The Eddie is a horseshoe-shaped penis ring that is placed at the base of the penis and will help you maintain an erection by constricting the blood flow without squishing the goods.
Counseling or Online Therapy
Men suffering from ED often blame themselves for the condition, which can impact how they view themselves and negatively affect their mental health. This can lead to them experiencing depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues. Even when the physical cause is treated with medication or lifestyle changes, the way a man feels about himself can lead to deeper psychological problems.
Choosing to talk to a therapist or counselor about your feelings may help resolve these issues. There are many online therapy options that will connect you with a licensed therapist to help you navigate through the negativity. One online therapy platform we highly recommend is Talkspace. And if therapy isn’t your bag, joining an online support group could be another option. Online support groups, such as Wisdo, will connect you with other people dealing with ED so that you feel less alone and supported by other men going through the same things.
Penis pumps
Designed in 1973 as an alternative to painful injections and surgery, penis pumps create pressure to increase blood flow. Penis pumps are hollow tubes that fit snuggly over your shaft and may help you achieve an erection firm enough to engage in sex. Depending on the severity of your ED, pumps can also be used in tandem with medication.
Injections
Several medications can be administered at home or at your primary care doctor’s office. Injections work by helping increase blood flow to your penis. Medication options include:
Alprostadil
Papaverine
Phentolamine
Prostaglandin E1
It’s important to mention that before considering penis injections as an option for ED, you should talk with your doctor and never buy injections from an unknown source.
Surgery
If you feel like you can’t get your ED under control, another medical option is undergoing surgery. A surgeon will insert a penile implant inside the shaft of your penis that you use manually to cause an erection. This surgery can be costly and painful, so it’s always a good idea to consider other options to treat ED.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
TRT has been able to help treat ED in men with lower than average testosterone levels in some cases. However, if your testosterone levels are normal or you’re suffering from severe ED, this option probably isn’t for you.
Other experimental medical treatment options
Since the following options are experimental, more substantial research is needed to know if they are safe and effective. These treatments are not approved by the FDA and have not been recommended by the American Urological Association.
Experimental treatments include:
Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves taking plasma from your blood and injecting them into the penis.
Shockwave therapy is when low-intensity sound waves are passed through erectile tissue to stimulate new blood vessel growth.
Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells into the penis to promote healthy erectile tissue.
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