Tadalafil (cialis) is a drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It comes in many doses but at Erect direct we offer it in 25mg pills that can be split in half if desired. Cialis is part of a “family” of medicines used to treat ED called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i). Other drugs in this family include Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil). All of these drugs have the same mechanism of action, but there are subtle differences in each one that may react differently with ones body.
What is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Cialis. Cialis was originally patented and sold by Eli Lilly. It is FDA-approved to treat ED and urinary symptoms due to BPH. After the patent expired in 2018, the FDA gave permission to other drug companies to manufacture a generic version of Cialis. The FDA requires generic drugs to be bioequivalent to the brand name version. This means that they act the same way in the body and are expected to produce the same effects as the original brand name drug. Generic drugs are generally much cheaper than the original brand name drug, and most drugs prescribed in the US and Canada are generic.
How Does Cialis Work?
In order to understand how Cialis works to treat ED, it’s important to first understand the basics of how erections work. Erotic stimulation (by physical touch, erotic thoughts, smells, etc.) causes the local tissues to release nitric oxide (NO), which increases the amount of a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP causes the muscles on the sides of the penis, the corpora cavernosa, to relax allowing blood to rush into the penis. At the same time veins that drain blood from the penis get compressed causing the increased blood to be trapped in the penis causing an erection. An enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 breaks down cGMP leading the penis to return to its flaccid state. PDE5i, like Cialis, block this enzyme leading to higher levels of cGMP and improving the ability to obtain and maintain an erection.
How Should I Take Cialis?
Cialis should be taken at least 30–60 minutes before sex. Cialis is a long acting drug and will stay active in your body for up to 36 hours, which is sometimes why it’s nicknamed “the weekend pill.” Some people have better results when they take Cialis® at least 2 hours before sex. Cialis absorption is not affected by food and can be taken with or without food.
