Legal classification of medication
POM
Sildenafil can only be obtained in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate prescriber and therefore the legal status of the medication is prescription only medicine (POM)
Formulations
Tadalafil comes in four different strengths:
Class of drug
Tadalafil is a selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme.
Indications
Tadalafil is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an adequate erection for penetrative sex.
How does it work?
Sildenafil works by increasing blood flow into the penis, when sexually aroused.
How is it taken?
A tablet is taken 30 minutes before intended sexual activity. The usual recommended dose is 10mg and can be increased or decreased according to effect. It is not affected by whether it is taken with food or not. It is recommended not to exceed one dose per 24 hour period; the maximum recommended dose is 20mg.
For patients who respond to Tadalafil and intend to use it more then twice a week, a lower daily dose is recommended. For example a patient responding to 10mg, who requires it more then twice a week, may be suitable for taking daily dose of 2.5mg or 5mg. This should be discussed with the patients doctor.
Tadalafil should not be taken with nitrate medications (for example GTN spray, under the tongue and/or nitrate tablets).
Caution must be exercised if taking any of the following medications with Tadalafil:
Pregnancy and Breast feeing
Tadalafil is not suitable for women. No adverse effects were found in reproductive studies involving rats and rabbits.
Contraindications
It is advised that Tadalafil should not be taken by patients with severe heart disease or heart failure. Patients who have recently had a heart attack, stroke or suffer with very low blood pressure should not take Tadalafil.
Patients who have suffered with blindness in one eye caused by non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy or have a degenerative retinal eye condition are advised not to take Tadalafil.
If your erection last more than a 2-3 hours, it is recommended to see a doctor urgently, as a sustained erection may lead to permanent damage to the penis.
Side-effects
In adults, the most commonly reported side-effects were:
Rare side effects (ranging from an occurrence of 1 in 10,000 but no more than 1 in 1000) included:
