What Is Cialis? History of the 36-Hour Weekend Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Pill

Highlights  

• Cialis is an erectile dysfunction drug that works on the same principle as Viagra.

• The active ingredient in Cialis is tadalafil — also the name of its generic version. 

• Cialis is available in both as-needed and low-dose daily versions.

• Cialis is the longest-lasting FDA-approved erectile dysfunction drug.

• You can buy Cialis online at eDrugstore and restore the strength of your erections. 

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If you are looking for an erectile dysfunction drug that enables you to achieve longer-lasting erections than Viagra, Cialis may be your answer. What is Cialis, and how does it achieve its long erection-promoting effects?

What Is Cialis?

Cialis (generic name tadalafil) is a prescription drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It is also used to treat a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlargement of the prostate gland. It may be taken on an as-needed basis or as daily therapy for BPH, ED, or both.

Cialis tablets come in doses of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 milligrams and are almond-shaped, yellow, and film-coated. Cialis is marketed worldwide by a joint venture of Eli Lilly and ICOS Corporation called Lilly ICOS, LLC.

Cialis was given approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2003. It was the third prescription drug for erectile dysfunction to come onto the market, after Viagra and Levitra. Cialis can be effective for up to 36 hours, unlike Viagra and Levitra. Cialis was nicknamed “the weekend pill” due to its prolonged effectiveness. The active substance in Cialis (and the generic name of the drug) is tadalafil.

How Does Cialis Work?

Like Viagra and Levitra, Cialis works by inhibiting a substance called PDE-5. However, Cialis is distinctive in that it has a half-life of over 17 hours, compared to four to five hours for Viagra and Levitra.

During sexual stimulation, the arteries of the penis relax. The response is caused by the release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells and nerve endings. This stimulates the synthesis of a substance called cGMP in smooth muscle cells, which causes the smooth muscle to relax and blood flow to increase.

When PDE-5 is inhibited by an erectile dysfunction drug, nitric oxide is released, cGMP is created, and in the presence of sexual stimulation, an erection results.

Interestingly, PDE-5 is also present in smooth muscle within the lungs, and Cialis has also been approved for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, a condition that usually results from a type of heart failure.

Side Effects and Drug Interactions with Cialis

Over 8 million men worldwide have taken Cialis, and the most common reported side effects are:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Indigestion
• Facial flushing
• Muscle ache
• Stuffy/runny nose

The side effects have to do with PDE-5 causing dilation of blood vessels. Most of them are mild, however, and usually subside after a few hours. Muscular and back pain tends to occur 12 to 24 hours after taking Cialis, and it usually subsides after 48 hours.

In very rare cases, PDE-5 inhibitors can cause visual impairment. However, most of the patients reporting this side effect had underlying risk factors that predisposed them to the problem.

In 2007, the FDA started requiring labeling on all PDE-5 inhibitors to warn of the rare possibility of a sudden loss of hearing following the use of these drugs.

Men who take organic nitrates should not take them for at least 48 hours after taking Cialis. Recreational drugs, like amyl nitrite, taken within 48 hours of taking Cialis increase the risk of severe hypotension (low blood pressure). Men who take nitrates for chest pain should seek medical attention if they experience angina within 48 hours of taking Cialis; in an emergency medical situation, medical responders should be notified if Cialis was taken within the previous 48 hours.

Cialis Dosage Information

The recommended starting dose for Cialis in most men is 10 milligrams, which is taken as needed before sexual activity. It should not be taken more than once in 24 hours. Depending on efficacy and the patient’s tolerance, the dose may be increased to 20 milligrams or reduced to 5 milligrams.

Cialis is also available as a daily ED treatment at lower doses (2.5 or 5 milligrams ) for convenience.

Cialis vs Viagra vs Levitra

	How Quickly It Acts	How Long It Lasts
Viagra	30-60 minutes	4 hours
Cialis	30 minutes	Up to 36 hours
Levitra	60 minutes	4-5 hours
Stendra	15 minutes for 100 and 200-milligram pills. 30 minutes for 50-milligram doses	6 hours
Staxyn	60 minutes	4-5 hours

Cialis remains effective far longer than other ED drugs, allowing for greater sexual spontaneity

Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra all work similarly, though there are subtle differences among the three medications. Levitra and Viagra take effect in about half an hour. The effects of Levitra last for around five hours, while Viagra lasts for about four hours. Cialis works within about 15 minutes, and the effects last up to 36 hours.

All three drugs are PDE-5 inhibitors, but they also affect other PDE enzymes. For example, Viagra and Levitra inhibit PDE-6, which is found in the eye, more than Cialis does. Some users of Viagra report seeing a bluish cast and experiencing greater light sensitivity.

Levitra and Viagra also inhibit PDE-1, found in the heart, brain, and vascular smooth muscle, more than Cialis does. This results in flushing and rapid heart rate more often in men who take Levitra and Viagra than in men taking Cialis.

However, Cialis inhibits PDE-11 more than Levitra and Viagra do. PDE-11 is found in skeletal muscles, the liver, the kidney, the pituitary gland, the prostate, and the testes. The bodily effects of PDE-11 inhibition are not fully known at this time.

Who Should Not Take Cialis?

Men who have had a stroke, heart attack, or life-threatening heart arrhythmia (irregular heart rate) within six months should not take Cialis. Men with high or low blood pressure that is uncontrolled should avoid Cialis, as should men who experience chest pain during sexual activity.

Which ED Medication Is Right for Me?

Patients who have tried Viagra report that side effects with Cialis are less bothersome and that the long-lasting effectiveness allows them to have better rapport and a more spontaneous reaction to their partners. Many men report that they prefer the milder, longer-lasting effect of Cialis over the more noticeable, shorter-duration effects of Viagra.

However, some men report that they prefer the stronger response that is achieved with Viagra or Levitra.

Staxyn (generic name vardenafil) is a newer erectile dysfunction drug that also works by stimulating blood flow to the penis. Vardenafil is a more selective PDE5 inhibitor, causing fewer side effects than sildenafil and tadalafil-based medications like Viagra and Cialis.

Stendra (generic name avanafil) is also another highly selective ED drug. Like Staxyn, it causes fewer side effects. And it starts to act within 15 minutes of taking, allowing ED sufferers to achieve an erection almost on the spot.

For most men, the choice of an ED drug is a personal preference. Men who can safely take one drug can usually take another safely and gauge their reaction to choose which  is best for their particular situation.

Cialis FAQ

Is Cialis Safe to Use with Other Medications?

Cialis is safe, but it can interact with some other medications and foods. Some of these medications and foods are:

• Other PDE5 inhibitors
• Alpha-blockers
• Nitrates
• Blood pressure medications
• Protease inhibitors
• Anti-infective medications
• Grapefruit

Because of individual differences, allergies, and tolerances, no drug interaction list can be considered complete. If you notice any unusual effects after taking Cialis, talk to a medical provider.

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Cialis?

Moderate drinking while on Cialis is generally safe. Drinking too much alcohol can cause dangerously low blood pressure, and symptoms like chest discomfort and dizziness.

How Often Can I Take Cialis?

A 20 milligram Cialis tablet is the maximum daily dose of the medication. Don’t take more than that under any circumstances. Since Cialis’ effects last for 36 hours, there’s no reason to take a 20 milligram tablet daily.

How Should I Take Cialis?

Cialis is an oral medication. You can take it with or without food before you engage in sexual activity.

Can Cialis be Used for Recreational Purposes?

For many, sexual performance enhancement is the definition of the recreational use of a drug. Long-term recreational Cialis is not recommended; it can lead to low erectile confidence, leading to erectile dysfunction even in men who don’t normally suffer from it.

How to Buy Cialis Online

Cialis is a prescription drug. Men who want to order Cialis online should look for online facilitators — like eDrugstore — who contract with U.S.-licensed pharmacists and physicians to safely dispense the drug. 

Never buy any prescription drug, including Cialis, from a website that offers them at unusually low prices or that claim to sell “herbal” versions. The “medication” you receive may contain little or no active ingredient and could be contaminated with other, potentially harmful, substances that aren’t disclosed on the label.

At eDrugstore, we carry legitimate, FDA-approved medications — both brand-name Cialis and the generic tadalafil — in both 20 milligram single-dose and 5 milligram daily variants. The effects of tadalafil are the same as those of name-brand Cialis.

Buy With Confidence

If you’re interested in trying Cialis or generic Cialis, visit eDrugstore.com or call 800- 467-0297 to speak with a pharmacist who will answer your questions. We ship quickly, discreetly, and at no charge. Browse our medication guide to learn more about Cialis and the other lifestyle medications we carry.