Tadalafil (Adcirca) is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) blocker. It's used to improve exercise ability in adults who have high blood pressure in the lungs, also known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It's taken by mouth once daily. Tadalafil for PAH is available as tablets (Adcirca, Alyq) and an oral suspension (Tadliq). Side effects of tadalafil (Adcirca) are typically mild and temporary, and can include headache and muscle pain.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Tadalafil (Adcirca) is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) blocker that relaxes blood vessels in the lungs. This allows blood to flow better and lowers blood pressure in the lungs. As a result, your heart is able to pump better and bring more oxygen to your body. This can help you breathe and exercise more easily.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blurred vision
chest pain, discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness
fainting
faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast or irregular heartbeat
headache
hearing loss
increased erection
nervousness
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
spontaneous penile erection
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Rare
Painful or prolonged erection of the penis
Incidence not known
Blindness
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
cracks in the skin
decrease or change in vision
difficulty with speaking
double vision
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache, severe and throbbing
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
joint or muscle pain
loss of heat from the body
numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
red, swollen skin
redness of the skin
redness or soreness of the eyes
slow speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach pain
sudden cardiac death
swelling of the feet or lower legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Bloody nose
body aches or pain
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning, dry, or itching eyes
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
congestion
difficulty with moving
difficulty with swallowing
dryness or soreness of the throat
excessive eye discharge
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
hoarseness
lack or loss of strength
loose stools
muscle aching, cramping, or stiffness
neck pain
pain in the arms or legs
pain or burning in the throat
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
reduced sensitivity to touch
runny or stuffy nose
sensation of spinning
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach upset
swelling of the eyelids
swelling or puffiness of the eyes or face
swollen joints
tearing
tender, swollen glands in the neck
tenderness in the stomach area
trouble with sleeping
upper stomach pain
voice changes
watering of the eyes
Rare
Changes in color vision
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Helps improve your ability to exercise or do physical activity
Only taken once daily - less often than other PDE-5 inhibitors for PAH, such as sildenafil (Revatio)
Can be taken with or without food
Can take several months for you to notice benefit from this medication
Interacts with several common medications, including blood pressure and prostate medications
Can't take with certain ED medications like sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis)
Tadalafil (Adcirca) can be taken with or without food.
Take tadalafil (Adcirca) at the same time every day. If you're taking the tablets and your dose is 40 mg, you should take two 20 mg tablets at the same time. It's not recommended to split up the 40 mg dose into two separate doses throughout the day.
If you're taking Tadliq (tadalafil) oral suspension, use a dosing syringe or medication cup to measure your dose in milliliters. Household spoons should never be used to measure medications because they might be inaccurate, even if you're specifically using a teaspoon or tablespoon. Talk to your pharmacist or prescriber if you don't have a proper dosing device.
Try to avoid drinking alcohol when you're taking tadalafil (Adcirca) since it can drop your blood pressure too much or make you more dizzy and lightheaded.
Don't take tadalafil (Adcirca) with grapefruit juice. Doing so can raise your risk of side effects (such as headache, nausea, and even dangerous drops in blood pressure).
Tadalafil (Adcirca) contains the same active ingredient as tadalafil (Cialis), which is used for ED or enlarged prostate. Don't take tadalafil (Adcirca) together with Cialis or any other treatments for ED (PDE-5 inhibitors) as this raises the risk of serious side effects, such as headache or vision problems.
If you have an erection for more than 4 hours, get medical attention right away because this can cause permanent damage if it's not treated.
Make sure you don't take a nitrate medication, such as nitroglycerin (Nitrostat), within 48 hours of taking tadalafil (Adcirca). Doing so can drop your blood pressure dangerously low.
Tadalafil (Adcirca) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Low blood pressure | Taking alpha blockers, medications for high blood pressure, or chest pain (angina) | Drinking alcohol
Tadalafil (Adcirca) can cause temporary drops in blood pressure, especially in people with certain heart conditions or in people already taking blood pressure medications. This can make you feel dizzy and raise the risk for falls. Be very careful getting up from a sitting or lying down position. It's not recommended to take tadalafil (Adcirca) within 48 hours of taking nitrates for chest pain, as this can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure. Drinking alcohol can also cause low blood pressure, so avoid drinking alcohol when taking tadalafil (Adcirca). Let your prescriber know if you continue to feel dizzy or lightheaded after your dose.
Risk factors: Sickle cell anemia | Multiple myeloma | Leukemia | Medical conditions that affect the penis
Although rare, there have been reports of males experiencing an erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism) while taking PDE-5 inhibitors, like tadalafil (Adcirca). This can cause permanent damage to the penis if not treated in time. Get medical help right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if you feel pain during an erection.
Risk factors: Over age 50 | High blood sugar | High blood pressure | Heart disease | High cholesterol | Smoking | History of eye problems
If you suddenly notice changes in your vision, go to the emergency room or call your prescriber right away. Although rare, PDE-5 inhibitors can cause permanent eye damage. If your ophthalmologist has told you that you have a "crowded" optic disc, you might be at higher risk for vision changes with tadalafil (Adcirca). Tell your prescriber about your full medical history before taking tadalafil (Adcirca).
Some people who took tadalafil reported experiencing hearing loss; it sometimes happens along with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and dizziness. Go to the emergency room or call your prescriber right away if you notice changes in your hearing in one or both ears.
Tadalafil is also marketed as tadalafil (Cialis). Don't take tadalafil (Adcirca) with other PDE-5 inhibitors as this can cause unsafe drops in blood pressure and a higher risk of side effects. Other PDE-5 inhibitors include: sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).
Risk factors: Pulmonary vascular occlusive disease (PVOD)
Tadalafil (Adcirca) isn't recommended if you have pulmonary vascular occlusive disease (PVOD). This is a rare condition that affects the blood flow between your lungs and heart. Tadalafil (Adcirca) hasn't been studied in people with PVOD, but it might make this condition worse. If you feel extreme tiredness or trouble catching your breath, get medical help right away.
Tadalafil tablet (Adcirca, Alyq):
Adults: The typical dose is 40 mg by mouth once daily. Tadalafil (Adcirca) comes as 20 mg tablets, so you'll need to take two tablets to make your dose. Don't divide the dose over the course of the day.
Tadliq (tadalafil) oral suspension:
Each 5 mL (teaspoonful) of suspension contains 20 mg of tadalafil.
Adults: The typical dose is 10 mL (two teaspoonfuls) by mouth once daily.
Your dose might be different if you have kidney or liver problems.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Taking nitrates with tadalafil (Adcirca)
Taking guanylate cyclase stimulators with tadalafil (Adcirca) (e.g., riociguat (Adempas))
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
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Al Othman, B., et al. (2024). Pseudopapilledema. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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CMP Pharma, Inc. (2022). Tadliq- tadalafil suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Galiè, N., et al. (2009). Tadalafil therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation.
Henrie, A. M., et al. (2015). Clinical utility of tadalafil in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: An evidence-based review. Core Evidence.
MedlinePlus. (2015). Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.
Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Alyq- tadalafil tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
United Therapeutics Corporation. (2024). Adcirca- tadalafil tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
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