Tadalafil Patient Information Leaflet Explained

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What is tadalafil and what is it used for?

Tadalafil is a prescription medicine licensed in the UK for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men. It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis and allowing more blood to flow in when you are sexually stimulated [4]. Tadalafil does not cause an erection on its own—you still need to be aroused for it to work.

Tadalafil is available in two main 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 at the same time, regardless of when you plan to have sex [4]. The on-demand dose can work for up to 36 hours, which is why tadalafil is sometimes called the 'weekend pill'. Both branded Cialis and generic tadalafil contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

At Cured Pharmacy, tadalafil is only supplied after an online consultation reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber, who will check that it is safe and suitable for you. The tadalafil patient information leaflet provided with your medicine gives full details about your specific product, including the manufacturer's instructions and safety information.

How to take tadalafil: dosage and timing from the patient information leaflet

The tadalafil patient information leaflet explains that the usual starting dose for on-demand use is 10mg, taken at least 30 minutes before you anticipate sexual activity [4]. Depending on how well it works and whether you experience side effects, your prescriber may increase the dose to 20mg or reduce it to 5mg. You should not take more than one dose in 24 hours, and the medicine can remain effective for up to 36 hours after taking it.

For daily use, the typical dose is 2.5mg or 5mg taken once a day at roughly the same time, with or without food [4]. This option is suitable if you prefer spontaneity and do not want to plan ahead. Daily tadalafil builds up in your system, so you can be ready for sexual activity at any time without needing to take a tablet beforehand.

Swallow the tablet whole with water. You can take tadalafil with or without food, although a very heavy or high-fat meal may delay how quickly it starts to work. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can make it harder to get an erection and increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure [4]. Grapefruit juice may also increase tadalafil levels in your blood and should be avoided.

What to do if you miss a dose or take too much

If you are taking daily tadalafil and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose—in that case, skip the missed dose and continue as normal [4]. Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. For on-demand tadalafil, there is no 'missed dose' because you only take it when needed.

If you accidentally take more tadalafil than prescribed, contact your GP, pharmacist, or NHS 111 for advice. Taking too much can increase the risk of side effects, particularly dizziness, headache, and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. If you feel unwell or experience chest pain, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Common and serious side effects in the tadalafil patient information leaflet

Like all medicines, tadalafil can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The tadalafil patient information leaflet lists the most common side effects as headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing (redness of the face), and nasal congestion [4]. These are usually mild and often improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Back pain and muscle aches typically start 12 to 24 hours after taking tadalafil and usually go away within 48 hours.

Less common side effects include dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, blurred vision, and a faster heartbeat [4]. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel better. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol can help reduce some of these effects.

Serious side effects are rare but require urgent medical attention. Stop taking tadalafil and seek immediate help if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours (priapism), sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, or chest pain during or after sex [4]. Priapism can permanently damage the penis if not treated quickly, and sudden vision or hearing loss may be a sign of a serious problem called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). If you have chest pain during sex, do not use nitrate medicines such as GTN spray—call 999 and tell the paramedics you have taken tadalafil.

What you need to know

• The tadalafil patient information leaflet explains dosage, side effects, and important safety warnings for your medicine.
• Take on-demand tadalafil at least 30 minutes before sex; it can work for up to 36 hours.
• Never take tadalafil with nitrates, nicorandil, riociguat, or poppers—this can cause dangerous low blood pressure.
• Seek urgent help for an erection lasting over 4 hours, sudden vision or hearing loss, or chest pain during sex.
• Find the official leaflet online at the Electronic Medicines Compendium or inside every pack dispensed in the UK.

Important warnings and contraindications from the tadalafil patient information leaflet

The tadalafil patient information leaflet contains critical safety warnings that you must read before taking the medicine. Tadalafil must never be taken if you are using nitrate medicines for chest pain (such as glyceryl trinitrate spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites) [4]. Combining tadalafil with any of these can cause a sudden and dangerous drop in blood pressure that may be life-threatening.

You should not take tadalafil if you have had a heart attack or stroke in the last six months, have unstable angina, severe heart failure, very low blood pressure, or if your doctor has advised you not to have sexual activity because of heart problems [4]. Tadalafil is also not suitable if you have ever had sudden vision loss due to NAION, or if you have certain inherited eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa.

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription, herbal remedies, and supplements. Alpha-blockers (used for prostate problems or high blood pressure, such as tamsulosin or doxazosin) can interact with tadalafil and cause dizziness or fainting [4]. If you are taking an alpha-blocker, you should be stable on it before starting tadalafil, and your prescriber will usually recommend a lower starting dose. Some medicines used to treat HIV (such as ritonavir or cobicistat) and certain antibiotics or antifungals can increase tadalafil levels in your blood, so your dose may need to be adjusted [4].

Who should not take tadalafil?

Tadalafil is not suitable for everyone. Do not take it if you are allergic to tadalafil or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet [4]. It is not licensed for use in women or anyone under 18 years of age. If you have severe liver or kidney problems, your prescriber will need to adjust your dose or may decide tadalafil is not appropriate for you.

If you have a condition that affects the shape of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease, angulation, or cavernosal fibrosis), or if you have a condition that increases the risk of priapism (such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia), tell your prescriber before taking tadalafil [4]. These conditions require careful assessment to ensure tadalafil is safe for you.

Where to find the official tadalafil patient information leaflet

Every pack of tadalafil dispensed in the UK must include a printed patient information leaflet (PIL) inside the box. This leaflet is written by the manufacturer and approved by the UK medicines regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It contains detailed information about your specific brand of tadalafil, including the full list of ingredients, how to store the medicine, and what to do if you experience side effects.

If you have lost your leaflet or want to read it before your medicine arrives, you can find the official tadalafil patient information leaflet online at the Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website [12]. The eMC is the UK's official database of patient information leaflets and Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) for all licensed medicines. Simply search for 'tadalafil' and select your specific product (for example, 'Tadalafil 10mg film-coated tablets') to view or download the leaflet.

The British National Formulary (BNF), available on the NICE website, also provides detailed prescribing information about tadalafil, including interactions, cautions, and side effects [4]. While the BNF is written for healthcare professionals, it is a reliable source of information if you want to understand more about how tadalafil works and how it compares to other ED treatments. At Cured Pharmacy, our pharmacists are always available to answer questions about your tadalafil patient information leaflet and help you use your medicine safely.

When to get urgent help

• Erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)—go to A&E immediately to prevent permanent damage.
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes—stop tadalafil and seek urgent medical help.
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness—stop and contact a doctor urgently.
• Chest pain during or after sex—do not take nitrate medicines; call 999 and tell them you have taken tadalafil.
• Severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing)—call 999 immediately.

Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, or contact NHS 111 for urgent advice.

How to get tadalafil safely: online consultation and prescription

Tadalafil is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, which means you cannot buy it without a valid prescription from a registered prescriber [4]. At Cured Pharmacy, you can request tadalafil through a confidential online consultation. You will be asked about your medical history, current medicines, and any health conditions, so that a UK-registered prescriber can assess whether tadalafil is safe and suitable for you.

The prescriber will check for any contraindications or interactions, particularly with nitrates, alpha-blockers, and other medicines that affect blood pressure or are metabolised by the liver [4]. If tadalafil is appropriate, the prescription will be issued and your medicine dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy (GPhC 9012511) and delivered discreetly to your door. Your order will include the manufacturer's tadalafil patient information leaflet, which you should read carefully before taking your first dose.

If you have not been diagnosed with ED before, or if your symptoms have changed, it is important to see your GP for a face-to-face assessment [1]. ED can be an early warning sign of underlying health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, so it is important to identify and treat any contributing factors [2]. Your GP can also check your testosterone level and review your overall cardiovascular health. Once you have a diagnosis and have discussed treatment options, an online service like Cured Pharmacy can provide convenient, ongoing access to your prescribed ED medicine.

Tadalafil products available at Cured Pharmacy

Cured Pharmacy offers a range of tadalafil products to suit different needs and budgets. Generic tadalafil is available from £7.95 (or £6.36 for your first order with code Ednew), while branded Cialis costs £12.00 (£9.60 with code Ednew). Tadalafil 20mg from Teva is priced at £9.99 (£7.99 with code Ednew), and Avarante (tadalafil) 10mg costs £11.49 (£9.19 with code Ednew). All products contain the same active ingredient and are equally effective—the choice between generic and branded is a matter of personal preference.

Every order includes the official tadalafil patient information leaflet for your specific product, along with clear instructions on how to take your medicine and what to do if you have any concerns. Our pharmacy team is available to answer questions and provide support throughout your treatment.

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