Tadalafil is a medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The drug increases blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.
Sexual health and erectile dysfunction
ED relates to the difficulty a person may have achieving or maintaining an erection. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that approximately 30 million men Trusted Source in the United States may have this health condition.
The NIDDK goes on to say that ED is more common in
- older adults
- people with specific psychological, emotional, or physical health conditions
- people who take particular medications
- people who smoke
- people with a higher BMI
Additionally, a recent study found that ED was common in a cohort of sexually active men aged between 18 and 31 years in the US. The study found that relationship status and mental health were the most significant contributing factors.
Brand-name vs. generic drugs
When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it must obtain a New Drug Approval (NDA) Trusted Source from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once granted, there is an exclusivity period in which no other company may produce the same drug using the same active ingredients. Periods of exclusivity can last from 180 days to 7 years (Trusted Source).
After this time, other manufacturers are free to make generic versions of a drug under an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Trusted Source. It is “abbreviated” because generic drug developers do not have to submit the preclinical and clinical testing data supplied by the original pharmaceutical company. This also accounts for the difference in brand-name and generic drug costs.
Tadalafil is the generic name for the brand-name drug Cialis. At the time of publishing, the average cash price of 30 10-milligram (mg) Cialis tablets is approximately whereas tadalafil is around, making it far more cost-effective. Some online companies, such as GoodRx, also offer discount coupons that dramatically lower prices. For example, the same dose and quantity of tadalafil tablets using a GoodRx coupon at Food Lion Pharmacy costs.
How tadalafil works
Tadalafil is part of the class of phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors that treat people with high blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries, also known as pulmonary hypertension, ED, and an enlarged prostate known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
PDE5 inhibitors work by increasing blood flow to the penis. They block a specific enzyme in the blood vessels. This means these blood vessels can relax, resulting in an increased blood flow to a specific area.
The effects of tadalafil can last for 36 hours. This is significantly longer than the similar drug, sildenafil (brand name Viagra), which lasts approximately 4 hours. A person may consider this an advantage or a disadvantage.
Where to buy tadalafil
Tadalafil is available in most pharmacies across the U.S., provided a person has a prescription from their doctor. The FDA-Trusted Source recommends that people not obtain ED treatments without a prescription, as these products may contain undisclosed ingredients.
Romans and Hims offer free online consultations, but a person must pay for the prescription if the doctor deems them a good fit for tadalafil. Insurance does not typically cover the cost of medications from these companies.
Lemonaid requests payment for a consultation, but a person can submit a query free of charge. Insurance does not cover consultations from Lemonaid but may cover some prescription medications. A person should check their available benefits with their plan provider.
Side effects and warnings
Due to the possibilities of side effects and allergic reactions, a person should always consult with their doctor before taking tadalafil.
Some individuals may experience few or no side effects when taking tadalafil, but some of the most common side effects may include:
- headache
- indigestion or heartburn
- sickness
- diarrhea
- stomach, leg, arm, or back pain
- cough
- red or flushed face
- stuffy nose
Less commonly, a person may experience severe side effects, including:
- chest pain
- prolonged or painful erections
- sudden vision or hearing loss
- skin reactions such as rashes
- seizures
In these cases, individuals should stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention.
In extremely rare cases, a person may experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. They should seek immediate and urgent medical attention in this situation.
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