You may have felt a little scared and curious when your doctor told you to start a new medication for Pulmonary Hypertension. That's very normal. Especially when you hear a name like Tadalafil, it's not surprising to think, "What kind of medication is this, what will this do to me?" So today, let's talk about this medication, what it does to the body, and the things to be careful about in a very simple way that you can understand.
What really happens with this drug called Tadalafil?
Simply put, tadalafil is a medication that helps control the blood pressure in your lungs. This condition is medically known as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) .
Imagine a water pipe getting clogged. The pressure inside the pipe increases, and the motor that pumps the water has to work harder, right? In the same way, when the blood vessels in your lungs become narrowed and clogged, your heart has to work harder to pump blood through them. This is called pulmonary hypertension.
Tadalafil works by relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This reduces the pressure inside the vessels. This reduces the workload on the heart, allowing it to pump blood throughout the body more easily. As a result, you may feel easier to breathe and have more energy to do your daily activities.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Okay, now this is very important. Your doctor will need to know your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Only then will he be able to determine if this medication is safe for you. So, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- Heart disease: If you have had a heart attack before, have chest pain such as angina , have irregular heart beats, or have any other heart disease.
- Eye problems: Vision impairment, especially if you have a rare inherited eye disease like retinitis pigmentosa .
- Blood pressure: If you have high or low blood pressure.
- Kidney or liver disease: If you have any kidney or liver disease.
- Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease (PVOD): This is another rare condition involving the veins in the lungs. Your doctor will ask you about this.
- Stomach ulcers: If you have stomach ulcers.
- Stroke: A previous stroke, that is, if a stroke has occurred.
- Allergies: If you have any allergies, not just to tadalafil, but to any other medicine, food, or dye, you should also tell your doctor about them.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is essential to inform your doctor.
How should I use the medicine?
This is a pill that you have to take. You have to take it exactly as the doctor prescribed, in the exact dosage.
- Swallow the tablet(s) with a glass of water.
- You can take it before or after meals. That won't be a problem.
- The most important thing is to try to take the medicine at the same time every day. This will help maintain the concentration of the medicine in the body at the same level.
- If you are prescribed two pills a day, take both pills at the same time, one after the other. Do not split them into two, one in the morning and one in the evening.
- Take the medicine as long as your doctor tells you to. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice.
What if I accidentally take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take double doses to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
This is also a very important point. Tadalafil can interact with some other medications. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, Ayurvedic medicines, and even traditional herbs.
| Things you should never take with Tadalafil (DO NOT TAKE with Tadalafil) | |
|---|---|
| Types of Nitrates | Heart medications like nitroglycerin and isosorbide can cause dangerously low blood pressure if taken together. |
| Other penis enlargement pills | Other medications such as sildenafil and vardenafil. |
| Riociguat | This is another medicine given for pulmonary hypertension. |
| Things to use with caution and things that may interact (MAY INTERACT with Tadalafil) | |
| Some high blood pressure medications | Your doctor will adjust the dosage. |
| Medicines for HIV or AIDS | |
| Medicines for fungal infections | E.g.: ketoconazole, fluconazole |
| Medications for epilepsy (fits) | E.g.: carbamazepine, phenytoin |
| Some antibiotics | E.g.: erythromycin, clarithromycin |
| Grapefruit juice | Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. |
Possible side effects while taking the medicine
Like any medicine, tadalafil can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Let's take a look at what they are and what to do if they happen.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in vision or hearing | Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, decreased hearing, or ringing in the ears. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Severe pain in the chest, shoulders, and arms, nausea, and difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness/weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion. |
| Prolonged erection | (For men) Painful erection lasting more than 4 hours. This is a condition that requires immediate treatment. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Headache. |
| Backache, muscle pain | Back pain, muscle pain. |
| Redness of the face, stuffy nose | Facial flushing, runny or stuffy nose. |
| Stomach ache | Upset stomach. |
Take-Home Message
- Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, exactly as prescribed, at the right time. Never change the dose yourself.
- Never take tadalafil with heart medications that contain nitrates.
- Give your doctor a complete description of all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden change in vision, a change in hearing, or (for men) a painful erection that lasts more than 4 hours.
- Store this medicine in a safe place at room temperature, out of the reach of small children.
- If you have any further questions or concerns about this medication, never hesitate to discuss it with your doctor.
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