Cialis Defined.

Cialis, from the generic tadalafil, is a prescription drug which is taken orally for erectile dysfunction or ED in men. ED is a medical condition where the penis does not harden and expand when the man is sexually excited. Cialis is for men only, not for children and women and Cialis must be taken with the doctor’s supervision.

Take note that Cialis:

• Does not cure erectile dysfunction or ED in men
• Cannot increase the sexual desire of man
• Does not protect man and his partner from any sexually transmitted diseases or STDs which include HIV
• Is not a male form of birth control

Cialis is produced by Eli Lilly & Company and was granted approval in 2003 by US Food and Drug Administration. Even though there are certain medicines for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction or ED, Cialis is different because it may take effect up to 36 hours after taking it.

FDA Alert About Cialis

The US FDA issued warning in 2005 for men who were using Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra. There were some cases where men lost their eyesight in one eye sometime after taking the drugs. This type of loss of eyesight is called non-arteritic anterior eschemic optic neuropathy or NAION. NAION can result in abrupt loss of vision because the flow of the blood to the optic nerve is blocked. FDA still does not know if these medicines can cause NAION because this condition also happens in men who do not use these drugs. Individuals who have greater chances of NAION include people who:

• Are above 50 years old
• Have heart problems
• Have hypertension
• Have diabetes
• Have high cholesterol levels
• Smoke
• Have some eye problems

FDA approved new labels for Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra which include information on probable risks of loss of vision called NAION. If you experience loss of eyesight, discontinue taking these drugs, and get medical help immediately.

Who should not take Cialis?

Avoid taking Cialis if you:

• Are taking any drugs called “nitrates”
• Have been informed by your healthcare provider to evade any sexual activity due to health problems
• Are taking any recreational medicines called “poppers” such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate

Health Risks of Cialis

Cialis can reduce blood pressure abruptly to an unsafe level if it is used with other drugs such as nitrates and alpha-blockers, and recreational medicines that have nitrates known as “poppers.” This sudden drop in the blood pressure level can cause fainting, heart attack, dizziness, or stroke.

The rare side effects of Cialis are:

• Changes in vision such as seeing blue shades to the objects or having some difficulty in telling the difference between the blue and green colors.
• Experiencing priapism or a medical condition where erection that does not go away

The following are common side effects of using Cialis:

• Indigestion
• Muscle pains
• Headache
• Flushing
• Back Pain
• Stuffy or Runny Nose

What should I tell the healthcare provider?

Inform your healthcare providers that you are taking Cialis. It is essential that your healthcare provider must know when was the last time you took Cialis, in case you need emergency medical attention.

Before taking Cialis, you must inform your healthcare provider if you:

• Have low blood pressure or high blood pressure level which is uncontrollable
• Have or history of heart problems
• Have or experienced stroke
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Have or had a serious loss of eyesight, including retinitis pigmentosa which is an uncommon genetic eye disease and it runs in families
• Have deformed penis called as Peyronie’s disease
• Have had an erection which lasted for over 4 hours
• Experienced blood cell problems like sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or multiplemyeloma
• Are taking drugs called “alpha blockers”, sometimes prescribed for those with prostate problems or high blood pressure
• Have stomach ulcers
• Suffering from bleeding problems

Can Cialis interact with other drugs or foods?

Cialis and some medicines can interact with one another. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including the prescription and nonprescription drugs, herbal supplements, and vitamins.

Obtaining Legal Assistance

Since all medications have its potential side effects, the manufacturer has the responsibility to make its products “reasonably safe” and to inform the medical community and the general public of the probable risks associated with the medicines. However, if the manufacturer is unable to do so, then they can be held legally liable if the patients are injured as the consequence of insufficient warnings or the “unreasonably” hazardous nature of the medicine, under the legal theory known as “product liability.”

If you or any of your family members suffered from any of the symptoms or rare medical conditions while taking Cialis, contact your doctor or your healthcare provider. Then, you can find an experienced lawyer to explain and discuss your options and safeguard your legal rights to recover from any injury sustained by taking Cialis.