Tadalafil Uses

Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) (impotence or the inability to achieve and sustain an erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse). 

It is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which an enlarged prostate gland causes hesitancy, dribbling, weak urine stream, and incomplete bladder emptying. 

In addition, tadalafil (Adcirca, Tadliq) is used to improve exercise ability in people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs), which causes breathlessness, tiredness, and dizziness.

There may be other uses of tadalafil—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Tadalafil Mechanism of Action

Tadalafil works by blocking the action of an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and allowing nitric oxide-induced relaxation of smooth muscles in blood vessels in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. This increases blood flow to the penis in the presence of sexual arousal, which helps to achieve an erection in men. Tadalafil helps with BPH (enlarged prostate) by increasing blood flow to the prostate, bladder, and urethra. In people with PAH, it works by relaxing blood vessels in the lungs and increasing blood flow.

Tadalafil Doses

Tadalafil tablets (Cialis) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and BPH come in dosage strengths of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. 

Tadalafil tablets (Adcirca) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension come as a 20 mg tablet. The oral suspension (Tadliq) is 20 mg/5 mL.

The usual recommended dose of tadalafil is as follows:

• Tadalafil (Cialis) as needed for erectile dysfunction: 10 mg taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. The dose can range between 5 mg and 20 mg based on individual response. The maximum dose is once per day. Improvement in erectile function lasts 36 hours after taking tadalafil.
• Tadalafil (Cialis) daily dosing for erectile dysfunction: 2.5 mg once a day, taken at any time of the day without regard to sexual activity but at about the same time every day. The dose can be increased to 5 mg daily if needed.
• Tadalafil (Cialis) daily dosing for benign prostatic hyperplasia: 5 mg once a day taken at the same time every day. 
• Tadalafil (Cialis) for co-occurring ED and BPH: 5 mg once a day, taken at the same time every day without regard to sexual activity. 
• Tadalafil (Adcirca, Tadliq) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): 40 mg (two 20-mg tablets or 10 mL) once daily.