Medication Information Leaflet
Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction, a condition where you are unable to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, allowing blood to flow into your penis when you get sexually excited. This medicine will only help you to get an erection if you are sexually stimulated. Therefore it is taken on an as-needed basis.
It can also be used for urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) with or without erectile dysfunction at the same time. It improves blood flow to, and relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder which may reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. For this indication, it has to be taken on a daily basis.
This medication may also be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.
For the treatment of erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate,
Inform your healthcare professional if:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
Priapism (an erection that will not go away) - If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. If it is not treated right away, priapism can permanently damage your penis.
Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes - Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes can be a sign of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss - Some people may also have ringing in their ears (tinnitus) or dizziness.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Avoid taking grapefruit, or grapefruit juice as they may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side-effects.
Drinking alcohol can temporarily weaken your ability to get an erection and may increase the blood pressure lowering effects of the medication, which can be dangerous. To get the maximum benefit from your medication, it is advisable not to drink alcohol before taking this medication
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on October 2022
This article was last reviewed on Friday, June 18, 2021