Tadalafil and Secukinumab: Can They Be Taken Together?

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Tadalafil and Secukinumab: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 25 October 2026

Many men wonder whether tadalafil and secukinumab can be taken together safely. The good news is that no major interaction between these two medicines is commonly reported, but your prescriber will still review your full medication list during consultation. Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction, while secukinumab is a biologic medicine (an interleukin-17A inhibitor) prescribed for conditions such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

What Is Tadalafil and How Does It Work?

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis and is one of the most widely used treatments for erectile dysfunction in the UK [4]. It belongs to a class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused. Unlike some other ED treatments, tadalafil can remain effective for up to 36 hours, which is why it is sometimes called the 'weekend pill'.

Tadalafil is available in two forms: on-demand tablets (usually 10mg or 20mg, taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity) and daily low-dose tablets (2.5mg or 5mg, taken once a day) [4]. Both require sexual stimulation to work. The medicine does not cause an automatic erection; it simply makes it easier to achieve and maintain one when you are aroused.

At Cured Pharmacy, tadalafil is available on prescription after an online consultation with a UK-registered prescriber. Generic tadalafil starts from £7.95, and branded Cialis is available from £12.00. Your first order can be discounted with code Ednew.

What Is Secukinumab and Why Is It Prescribed?

Secukinumab (brand name Cosentyx) is a biologic medicine used to treat inflammatory conditions such as moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis [12]. It works by blocking interleukin-17A, a protein in the immune system that drives inflammation. By reducing this inflammation, secukinumab helps to relieve symptoms such as painful, swollen joints and scaly skin patches.

Secukinumab is given as an injection under the skin, usually once a month after an initial loading phase. Because it affects the immune system, your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection and other side effects. It is a prescription-only medicine, typically started and supervised by a specialist such as a rheumatologist or dermatologist.

Men with chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis may also experience erectile dysfunction, which can be related to the condition itself, its psychological impact, or other health factors such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes [1]. Treating ED with tadalafil can improve quality of life and confidence.

Does Secukinumab Affect Sexual Function?

Secukinumab itself is not known to cause erectile dysfunction. However, the chronic inflammatory conditions it treats—such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis—are associated with a higher prevalence of ED [10]. This may be due to shared risk factors like inflammation affecting blood vessels, the psychological burden of living with a visible or painful condition, or other medications used alongside secukinumab. If you are experiencing ED, it is worth discussing with your GP or specialist, as effective treatments are available.

Tadalafil and Secukinumab: Is There an Interaction?

No major interaction between tadalafil and secukinumab is commonly reported in clinical practice or the British National Formulary [4]. These two medicines work through entirely different mechanisms: tadalafil affects blood flow by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme in the penis, while secukinumab targets a specific immune pathway involved in inflammation. They are not known to interfere with each other's effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects when taken together.

That said, every patient is different, and your prescriber will review your full medical history and current medications during your consultation. This includes checking for any other medicines or health conditions that might affect the safety of tadalafil. For example, if you are taking medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease alongside secukinumab, your prescriber will ensure that tadalafil is suitable for you.

It is important never to start, stop, or change any prescribed medicine—including secukinumab—without consulting your doctor or specialist. If you have any concerns about taking tadalafil while on secukinumab, raise them during your online consultation or speak to your GP or rheumatologist.

What Your Prescriber Checks Before Approving Tadalafil

When you request tadalafil through Cured Pharmacy, a UK-registered prescriber will review your online consultation to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for you. They will check your current medications (including secukinumab), your medical history, and any conditions that might make PDE5 inhibitors unsuitable [2]. This includes recent heart attack or stroke, unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or a history of sudden vision loss (NAION).

Your prescriber will also look for medicines that must never be taken with tadalafil, such as nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites). Combining tadalafil with any of these can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure [4]. If you take alpha-blockers (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin) for an enlarged prostate, your prescriber will ensure you are stable on that medicine and may start you on a lower dose of tadalafil.

Certain other medicines can affect how tadalafil is broken down in the body. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin) can raise tadalafil levels, requiring a reduced dose. CYP3A4 inducers (such as rifampicin or St John's wort) can make tadalafil less effective [4]. Your prescriber will adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Declaring All Your Medicines

Always list every medicine you take during your consultation, including prescription medicines like secukinumab, over-the-counter products, herbal remedies, and supplements. This helps your prescriber spot any potential interactions and choose the safest dose for you. If you start a new medicine after being prescribed tadalafil, let your GP, specialist, or pharmacist know you are taking an ED treatment.

Practical Advice for Taking Tadalafil with Secukinumab

If your prescriber approves tadalafil, you can take it as directed without needing to time it around your secukinumab injections. There is no need to separate the doses or avoid taking them on the same day. On-demand tadalafil (10mg or 20mg) should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity, and its effects can last up to 36 hours [4]. Daily tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg) is taken once a day at the same time, regardless of when you plan to have sex.

Tadalafil requires sexual stimulation to work, so it will not cause an erection on its own. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can make erectile dysfunction worse and increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure. Grapefruit juice can raise tadalafil levels in the blood, so it is best to avoid it while taking this medicine [4].

Common side effects of tadalafil include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and a blocked or runny nose [4]. These are usually mild and short-lived. If you experience chest pain during sex, stop and seek urgent medical help. Do not take a nitrate medicine (such as GTN spray) to relieve chest pain if you have taken tadalafil in the past 48 hours, as this combination is dangerous.

When to Seek Medical Advice About Tadalafil and Secukinumab

Most men taking tadalafil and secukinumab together do so without problems, but you should seek medical advice if you notice any new or worsening symptoms. If you develop an erection that lasts longer than four hours (priapism), go to A&E immediately, as this can cause permanent damage if not treated promptly [4]. Sudden loss of vision or hearing while taking tadalafil is rare but requires urgent medical attention.

If you experience severe dizziness, fainting, or chest pain after taking tadalafil, stop using it and contact your GP or call 111 for advice. These symptoms could indicate low blood pressure or a heart problem that needs investigation. Remember, erectile dysfunction itself can be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, so if ED is new or getting worse, see your GP for a full health check [1].

If you have any concerns about your secukinumab treatment—such as signs of infection (fever, persistent sore throat, unusual tiredness) or worsening joint or skin symptoms—contact your specialist or GP. Do not stop secukinumab without medical advice, as this could cause your underlying condition to flare up. Your healthcare team can help you manage both your inflammatory condition and your sexual health safely and effectively.

Support and Further Information

Cured Pharmacy offers discreet, convenient access to ED treatments through our online consultation service, reviewed by UK-registered prescribers. If you have questions about tadalafil, secukinumab, or any other aspect of your treatment, our pharmacy team is here to help. You can also find reliable information on the NHS website [1] and speak to your GP or specialist for personalised advice.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 25 October 2026]
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 25 October 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Tadalafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/tadalafil/ [accessed 25 October 2026]
4. Feldman, H. A., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D. G., Krane, R. J., & McKinlay, J. B. (1994). Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Journal of Urology, 151(1), 54–61. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8254833/ [accessed 25 October 2026]
5. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [accessed 25 October 2026]

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication.

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