Short Facts About Cialis
- Cialis is a drug marketed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
- The compound belongs to the class of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors which mediate relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum thus facilitating erection. In a natural setting, after sexual stimulation, an erection occurs through the release of nitric oxide (NO).
- Cialis was approved by the Competent Authorities to be placed on the market in 2003, after 5 years of Viagra supremacy (Viagra being the only drug approved for the treatment of Erectile dysfunction until then).
- Cialis’ main ingredient is tadalafil and can either be taken daily (meaning it is always active in the body) or 30 minutes to 12 hours before activity to last up to 36 hours.
- This longer lasting formula is one of the benefits of Cialis over the “little blue pill” (Viagra) which has proved to be more appealing to most men.
- Cialis comes in yellow, film-coated and almond-shaped tablets in 5, 10 and 20 milligram (mg) doses.
- Cialis belongs to so-called “lifestyle” drugs that are of choice because they are intended to improve your life, special appearance or specific illnesses but they do not cure or save lives.
What are Drug Patents?
When a pharmaceutical company first develops a new drug to be used for a disease condition, it is initially sold under a brand name. That brand is known also as the “original” drug, being the first marketed drug containing the original compound. The drug is covered under patent protection, which means that only the pharmaceutical company that holds the patent is allowed to manufacture, market the drug and eventually make a profit from it. The drug patent can be awarded differently in the European countries depending on each country’s regulations. The
lifetime of the patent varies between countries and also between drugs. Usually, the pharmaceutical company applies for a patent before the clinical trials to assess a drug’s safety and efficacy have commenced, and the effective patent period after the drug has finally received approval is often around seven to twelve years.
What are Generic Medicines?
Once the original patent has expired, the drug can be manufactured and sold by any other companies that prove the bioequivalence with the original product. At this point, the drug is referred to as a “generic” drug. Generic drugs have to be identical to the branded drug in terms of efficacy, safety, usage, route of drug administration, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. According to the European Medicines Agency definition, “A generic medicine contains the same active substance(s) as the reference medicine, and it is used at the same dose(s) to treat the same disease(s). However, Generic medicines are manufactured according to the same quality standards as all other medicines.3 After they have been authorized, the European Agency monitors the safety of generic medicines.
Are Generic Medicines as Safe as the Originals?
Yes. The generic drug contains the same compound as the “original” drug. Also, it has the same exposure to adverse effects like the “original” drug. The manufacturing company that is marketing the generic, must provide safety information about the product and perform a number of clinical studies. Generics should only be obtained from a reputable source and used under medical supervision.
Are There Differences Between Originals and Generics?
A generic medicine’s inactive ingredients, name, appearance and packaging can be different than the original drug. In addition, generics can have a plus or minus 20% variation in “bioavailability” of the active ingredient — as long as the effectiveness of the drug isn’t different from the brand name. In rare instances, a person may have a negative reaction to an ingredient in a generic versus the one used in the brand name and vice-versa, if switching from an original to a generic. The differences are discussed in further detail here.
What are the Advantages in Choosing Generic Cialis?
PRICE! The generic drug is cheaper than the original due to the fact that the initial investment in performing the clinical studies targeted to prove the product’s efficacy and safety is smaller. Because the generic maker didn’t have the costs of developing the product, it can charge a much lower price for it. And when several companies are making the same generic drug, competition can drive the price down further.
Cialis & Tadalafil (As Needed)
£16.98 – £260.00
Cialis works in a similar way to Viagra and is quicker acting and lasts longer. It can be taken when needed, 30 minutes before intercourse.
Description
About Cialis
At least one in ten men has trouble getting an erection at some time. Cialis helps men to get and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated and/or excited. The medicine relaxes the blood vessels in the penis which results in more blood flowing to the penis. It reduces the action of the natural chemical in your body that makes erections go away.
How to take it?
You should take Cialis at least 30 minutes before intercourse. Cialis remains effective for 36 hours, meaning it will be easier to keep and maintain an erection when you are sexually excited. It doesn’t matter if you take this medicine with or without food; food has no impact on its effectiveness.
This medicine will only work when you’re sexually excited. You won’t get an erection just by taking Cialis.
What dose should I take?
The recommended starting dose for Cialis is 10mg tablets. If this dose is not effective you can try 20mg tablets. A maximum of one tablet should be taken in 24 hours, however it’s not recommended to take either the 10mg or 20mg tablet every day.
For patients who anticipate sexual activity at least twice weekly, the 5mg “daily” Cialis dose is more appropriate.
Patient Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment. The Patient Information leaflets can be found here for 10mg and 20mg dosages.
Common Side-Effects of Tadalafil from Clinical Studies
The long-term safety and tolerability of Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction has been assessed. It was evaluated in an 18–24-month open extension trial in 1173 subjects (mean age 57, range 23–83 years). The conclusion of the study was that Tadalafil at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg taken as needed up to once daily for 18 to 24 months was safe and well tolerated. These findings support the long-term use of tadalafil in the clinical management of erectile dysfunction. The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events included a headache (15.8%), dyspepsia (11.8%), nasopharyngitis (11.4%), and back pain (8.2%). Most adverse events were mild or moderate. The percentage of events reported as mild or moderate was 88% and the percentage of events reported as severe was 12%.5
Summary of the safety profile
The most commonly reported adverse reactions in patients taking Tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia were a headache, dyspepsia, back pain and myalgia, in which the incidences increase with increasing dose of Tadalafil. The adverse reactions reported were transient, and generally mild or moderate. The majority of headaches reported with Tadalafil once-a-day dosing are experienced within the first 10 to 30 days of starting treatment.
Contraindications:
Tadalafil is contraindicated for patients taking medications that contain nitrates, which are usually prescribed for the treatment of angina pectoris. One of the most frequently prescribed nitrates is nitroglycerin, which can also be found in creams, sprays, candy and blisters. Other drugs containing nitrates include isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate. The combination of nitrates with tadalafil can cause a rapid decrease in blood pressure that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and sometimes to death.
Tadalafil is also contraindicated to use with alpha-blockers of any type. Alpha blockers prescribed to people who suffer from high blood pressure and prostate adenoma. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether your medication contains nitrates or alpha-blockers and to find out if you are eligible to receive a prescription containing Tadalafil. Please address directly to our pharmacy or our doctor by calling our phone number (01625 460 621).
The final conclusion
- Generic Cialis is now available due to the expiration of drug patent, starting November this year.
- Whether you choose a generic drug or an original drug, you have to seek advice from a qualified physician and the prescription must be obtained under the direction and supervision of a prescribing physician.
- The main advantage of the generic is evident, the lower price for the same efficacy.
- Your choice is a simple one: is the comfort of buying an original product worth paying more even if the generic has the same clinical efficacy and safety?
References:
- Eli Lilly Corporation 2006. Cialis (Tadalafil HCl) tablets: Prescribing information [online]. Accessed 14 February 2006. URL: http://www.cialis.com/
- H P Rang, R G Hill- The nature of disease and the purpose of therapy, http://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/lifestyle-drug
- http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/
- Giovanni Vanni Frajese, Flavio Pozzi, and Gaetano Frajese– Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction; an overview of the clinical evidence
- Montorsi F, Verheyden B, Meuleman E, Jünemann KP, Moncada I, Valiquette L, Casabé A, Pacheco C, Denne J, Knight J, Segal S, Watkins VS.
- Long-term safety and tolerability of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Eur Urol. 2004 Mar;45(3):339-44; discussion 344-5. PubMed PMID: 15036680.
- Tadalafil 10 mg film-coated tablets- Summary of Product CharacteristicsAssured Pharmacy is not liable for the currency or accuracy of the information contained in this blog post. For specific information about your personal medical condition, please contact our doctors or pharmacists for advice on [email protected]
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