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1. What is Cialis used to treat?
Cialis is
approved for the treatment of men who experience difficulty having
and maintaining an erection (impotence).
2. How does Cialis work?
Cialis works by enhancing the effects of one of the chemicals the
body normally releases into the penis during sexual arousal. This
allows an increase of blood flow into the penis. An erection is the
result of an increase in blood flow into certain internal areas of
the penis.
3. How is Cialis different from the currently approved
products for erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Cialis is different from other currently approved products for
ED in that it stays in the body longer. However, there were no
studies that directly compared the clinical efficacy and safety of
Cialis to other products.
4. How do I take Cialis?
Cialis is taken orally before sexual activity, not more than
once daily. Cialis may be taken with or without food. In some
patients, the dose strength and maximum frequency of use may be
adjusted. For more detailed information consult with your health
care provider.
5. Are there any side effects with Cialis?
As with any drug product, there may be side effects. The most
commonly reported side effects in patients treated with Cialis
during the testing of the product were:
- headache
- indigestion
- back pain
- muscle pain
- flushing
- stuffy nose
Patients who get back pain and muscle aches usually get them 12
to 24 hours after taking Cialis and these usually go away by
themselves within 48 hours. A small number of patients taking Cialis
also reported abnormal vision.
6. What important information should you know about Cialis?:
- CIALIS can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to
an unsafe level if it is taken with any nitrate medication
or with any alpha-blocker medication (alpha blockers are
medicines used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and
high blood pressure) other than FLOMAX (tamsulosin)
0.4 mg daily. You could get dizzy, faint or have a
heart attack or stroke.
- Tell your healthcare provider
that you take Cialis. If you need emergency medical care for a
heart problem, it will be important for your health care provider
to know when you last took Cialis.
- After taking a single tablet,
some of the active ingredient of Cialis remains in your body for
more than 2 days. The active ingredient can remain longer if
you have problems with your kidneys or liver, or you are taking
certain other medications.
7. What should I talk to my doctor about when considering if
Cialis is right for me?
Because sexual activity can increase the work of the heart,
your doctors should talk to you about your hearts general
condition and if Cialis is right for you. Patients who have a
condition called "left ventricular outlet obstruction"
from valvular problems or heart muscle enlargement may get side
effects such as fainting or light-headedness. Because patients
with recent heart attacks or stroke, heart pains (angina), heart
failure, uncontrolled blood pressure or uncontrolled irregular
heart beats, severe liver disease, and retinal eye problems were
not studied with Cialis, Cialis is not recommended for these
patients. There may be rare occurrences of priapism or painful,
prolonged erections. This is a serious condition that requires
immediate medical attention. Patients should seek prompt medical
attention if their erection lasts longer than four hours.
8. Who should not take Cialis?
Cialis should not be used by patients taking nitrates (such as
nitroglycerin tablets or patches) or any alpha blocker other than
FLOMAX 0.4mg daily because the combination of these with Cialis
could significantly lower blood pressure and lead to fainting or
even death in some men.
9. Can Cialis be used with other treatments for impotence?
The safety and effectiveness of Cialis when used with other
treatments for impotence has not been studied. Combined use could
lead to additional lowering of blood pressure, possibly to unsafe
levels. Therefore the use of such treatments in combination with
Cialis is not recommended.
10. What if I am taking other drugs?
Always discuss with your health care practitioner ALL of the
medications you are taking (prescription and over-the-counter)
that way, you can receive the best advice for your own situation.
Cialis is not recommended for people taking any form of
nitroglycerin and most alpha-blockers, other than FLOMAX, because
the combination may lower blood pressure to an unsafe level.
11. How will Cialis be supplied?
Cialis will be available as oral tablets in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg
strengths.
12. Will Cialis be prescription or OTC (over-the-counter)?
Cialis will be available by prescription only.
13. When will Cialis be available to pharmacies?
FDA has no control over when products are available in
pharmacies after FDA approval for marketing. The decision of
availability is completely up to the company marketing the
product. For further information contact your pharmacist or Eli
Lilly and Company directly.
14. How can I report a serious side effect with Cialis to
FDA?
FDA encourages anyone aware of a serious side effect, including
consumers or patients, to make a MedWatch report.
You can report an adverse event in two ways:
Date created: November 21, 2003
Information cited at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/cialis/cialisQ&A.htm |
