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The Most Common Side Effects When Taking Generic Cialis
Did you know that 30 million men in the United States currently have problems with erectile disfunction?
Are you one of those men, but you’re concerned about the side effects of taking generic Cialis?
You need trusted advice to decide if the side effects outweigh the improvement in your quality of life.
Good news: you’ve found the best guide to generic Cialis side effects on the internet. By the time you finish reading this guide, you will know if this medication fits your medical history and lifestyle.
What’s the Name for Generic Cialis?
You can find generic Cialis under the name Tadalafil. It’s common for pharmacies to substitute name-brand drugs for the generic option unless otherwise specified.
You may be familiar with these medications, also. This list includes the brand named, followed by the generic name in parentheses:
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
- Stendra (Avanafil)
- Levitra (Vardenafil)
How Do Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Work?
Cialis works by increasing nitric oxide. Blood vessels open due to vasodilation and improve blood flow through the body. For men with erectile dysfunction, this makes getting and maintaining erections easier.
Patients taking a medication that increases nitric oxide need to study the side effects. Increasing blood flow in people with heart problems may lead to dangerous consequences.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
The source of erectile dysfunction depends on the man and his medical history. Sexual arousal involves blood vessels, emotions, muscles, nerves, hormones, and the brain. If one part of the whole isn’t working, it’s possible to experience ED.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes include the following:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Tobacco use
- Heart disease
- Sleep disorders
- High cholesterol
- Low testosterone
- Previous surgeries
- Parkinson’s disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Clogged blood vessels
- Peyronie’s disease or scar tissue inside the penis
Precautions Before Taking Tadalafil
Talk to your doctor at your appointment about any history you may have with the following:
- Stroke
- Allergies
- Liver disease
- Eye problems
- Kidney disease
- Heart problems
- Stomach ulcers
- Peyronie’s disease
- Bleeding disorders
- Penis fibrosis or scarring
- High or low blood pressure
- Sickle cell anemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma
Generic Cialis can make you dizzy, so avoid driving heavy machinery until you know its effect on your body. Don’t abuse alcohol while taking Tadalafil. If you use cannabis, tell your doctor.
If you have an erection that lasts four or more hours, you must seek immediate medical attention. If you don’t, you risk permanent issues that will have consequences for the rest of your life.
Common Side Effects for Tadalafil
Anywhere between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people experience these side effects on generic Cialis. The most common generic Tadalafil side effects include:
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Stuffy nose
- Muscle pain
- Stomach cramping
- Indigestion or upset stomach
Do not hesitate to call your doctor’s office if these symptoms persist or get worse.
For a complete list of side effects, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Uncommon Side Effects for Tadalafil
Anywhere between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 men experience these uncommon side effects while taking generic Cialis. Tadalafil tablets side effects include:
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Muscle fatigue
- Penile bleeding
- Sinus infections
- Excessive Sweating
- Pain in the legs or arms
- Redness or rashes around the neck or face
Do not delay calling your doctor’s office if you experience any of these symptoms.
Rare Side Effects for Tadalafil
Anywhere between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 men experience these rare side effects while taking generic Cialis. The symptoms reported by patients include:
- Seizures
- Migraines
- Skin rash
- Joint pain
- Neck pain
- Heart attack
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting stomach acid
- Sudden loss of hearing
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Short term memory loss
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- Inflammation of the esophagus
- Persistent and painful erections
- Ringing in the ears with dizziness
- Increase or decrease in blood pressure
- Numb or tingling sensation in the hands, feet, or face
Find immediate medical attention if you experience any of these rare side effects.
Rare Side Effects for Any ED Medication
If you have proper expectations from your doctor and monitor your body’s reactions, most men don’t have a problem.
It’s important to note that some side effects of this medication can be dangerous or life-threatening. Pay close attention to any side effects from Tadalafil that include one of the following:
- Sudden changes in hearing
- Sudden changes in vision
- Priapism (an erection that lasts longer than four hours)
Don’t delay finding medical attention for any one of these three severe symptoms.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and your medical history. Some men may have more problems than others because of the other medications they have to take.
Other treatment options exist for erectile dysfunction. Don’t lie to your doctor because you think only the little blue pill can get the job done. Surgery or even vacuum pumps can give you workable solutions to the problem.
What Should You Do About Headaches?
Generic Cialis patients often report headaches while taking the medication. The active ingredient in Tadalafil takes the blame for this symptom. A 2014 study reported that 25% of erectile dysfunction patients experience this side-effect.
Headaches can increase, or get worse, the longer that you take an erectile dysfunction medication. Abusing the medicine only increases the severity.
Any medicine for ED works by allowing your blood vessels to open wide and increase flow. While this works great for erectile dysfunction, the effect can lead to cluster headaches or migraines.
You can still experience headaches after you stop using Tadalafil, along with other side effects. Patients report that headaches can start within an hour.
Stay Hydrated
Erectile disfunction drugs often act as mild diuretics. Your body will expel more water than usual while you take this medication. If you don’t hydrate during the day, you can expect mild dehydration symptoms at night.
Alcohol adds to this problem because it’s also a diuretic that often pairs with sexual activity. Dehydration alone can cause headaches on this medication, so a hangover isn’t advisable.
Drink plenty of water while you’re taking generic Cialis, and you should limit these effects. If dehydration persists despite your best efforts, consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Take a Lower Dosage
Studies have confirmed that there’s a link between headaches and talking erectile dysfunction medicine. Call your doctor to discuss lowering your dosage if you continue to experience headaches or other side effects. Most men don’t need a higher some to see results from Tadalafil.
If you’re using a higher dose (20 mg for generic Cialis), you have a much higher likelihood of developing headaches or migraines.
Talk to Your Doctor About Switching Prescriptions
Despite all efforts to make generic Cialis work for your life, it may not happen. Tadalafil has a longer half-life inside your body, so it’s known to cause more headache symptoms than shorter-acting options.
If you experience any of the side effects listed above, it’s worth having a conversation about trying a new medication. There’s no reason you shouldn’t try a new prescription that doesn’t disagree with your body.
Try These Headache Management Techniques
Proven techniques for managing headaches may solve the side effects that you experience. Try one or more of the tips in the following paragraphs before deciding that the medication cannot fit your lifestyle.
Do you relax during the day and get a full night’s sleep? If you’re under stress or not sleeping well, headaches may occur more often while you’re taking ED medication. Rehydrate, eat good food, and get a good night’s sleep.
Cold or hot packs can work well for headaches or migraines. Keep a cloth handy to warm up for the latter and a cold pack for the former.
Do you have a caffeine addiction? Even if you don’t, it’s worth considering a cup of coffee in the morning. Over-the-counter medication often includes caffeine to enhance the effects of acetaminophen.
What Should You Do About Aches and Pains?
It’s not uncommon to experience aches and pains in your body while taking an erectile dysfunction medication. Some patients report pain in the lower back, in particular.
Standard over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine should help with moderate side effects. If the aches and pains persist, or they get worse, call your doctor right away.
What Should You Do About Dizziness?
When more blood rushes through your body, it’s easy to become dizzy. Most men experience a mild form of lightheadedness during treatment. If the dizziness persists through everyday life, tell your doctor.
While rare, you can pass out or faint from taking Tadalafil. Talk to your doctor before an event like this occurs.
What Should You Do If Your Vision Changes?
Do not take generic Cialis if you have experienced vision loss or retinitis pigmentosa in the past.
If you experience a complete or significant change in vision, find medical care right away. Call 911 if you cannot get to the emergency room in a hurry. A more severe or life-threatening problem has occurred that needs attention from professionals.
What Should You Do If You Have a Runny Nose?
Congestion or a runny nose isn’t an unusual side effect for erectile dysfunction drugs. The problem should go away on its own. If your condition worsens or the symptoms continue, contact your doctor’s office and tell them what’s happening.
What Should You Do If You Have Digestion Problems?
The most common symptoms reported by patients include indigestion and diarrhea. It’s not unusual to have mild digestive system side effects while taking generic Cialis.
Most moderate symptoms can find relief from over-the-counter products. You may consider drinking more water while taking Tadalafil instead of alcohol or soft drinks.
Have you tried changing your diet, but you’re still having problems? Talk to your doctor about possible solutions that complement your current medications. You may discuss over-the-counter or pharmaceutical products.
What Should You Do About Flushing?
When your body’s blood vessels open to increase flow, it’s natural to experience a mild level of flush skin or redness. Normal side effects include:
- Mild rash
- Blotchy skin
- Temporary redness
Mild flush symptoms don’t pose a danger to your health. It’s possible to make the flushes worse by doing one of the following:
- Drinking alcohol
- Eating spicy food
- Going outside on a hot day
Can You Avoid These Side Effects?
Have a frank conversation with your doctor about interactions with other medications. Your doctor’s office will know your prescriptions, of course, but you want to set expectations for yourself.
Don’t wonder if you’re more likely to experience side effects because of new drug interactions. If you don’t ask, you may experience symptoms you don’t expect and go through unnecessary worry.
Tadalafil works with the cardiovascular system, so don’t forget to mention any supplements you’re taking. L-arginine, an amino acid, also increases nitric oxide production.
Cialis and recreational drugs do not mix well together. You can say that about most anything, but the likelihood of side effects can become severe and dangerous.
Avoiding side-effects on Tadalafil begins and ends with a conversation with your doctor. Be honest and avoid risky behaviors after you start taking the prescription.
Should You Take Tadalafil?
The only person who can decide if you should take generic Cialis is your physician. Now that you have this article as a resource, you can have an informed conversation with your doctor or pharmacist.
Did you find this useful? Check out more articles like this one from our blog.
Do you have more questions about ordering generic Cialis online? Give us a call at 1-800-828-4889.
Works Cited
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316215#ed-with-age
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4039608/
https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/5-ways-to-get-rid-of-headache