A Brief History Lesson about Tadalafil (Cialis)

Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor. It is most often known by the name of Cialis. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction.

This medication has also been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It also has been used for other conditions, which are not necessarily officially FDA approved.

One of the biggest concerns of course is using tadalafil or any brand name equivalent of this drug as a recreational drug. This is largely frown upon because it could cause danger especially if large amounts of it are mixed with alcohol or other substances such as the following: street drugs, over-the-counter medications, marijuana (even if prescribed medically), or prescription medications (including other ED meds).

Overview

Tadalafil was approved by the FDA as of March 27, 1998. Since then, the sale of this medication rose above one billion dollars.

Cialis was later approved as a brand name version of this drug on November 21, 2003. The study for Cialis and/or tadalafil effectiveness and safety began in the early 1990s.

Come time to approve this drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2009, a 40mg dose for this condition was authorized. This is in part one condition that should be corrected in order to address ED problems for some people.

Over the years, quite a bit of research has been conducted concerning side effects. In May 2005, the FDA found that tadalafil causes vision problems in some people. This knowledge became known outside of a clinical trial upon test-marketing this product.

There was some signs of cardiovascular problems in some individuals. Conerns were expressed at one point about patients who suffer from diabetes, coronary heart disease, or hyperlipidemia.

Other issues associated with this drug include use with smoking as well as use with alcohol. The greater the consumption of these two substances (or even street drugs) reduces effectiveness of Cialis or generic equivelant, and/or it increases risk of danger.

One other issue has been announced by the FDA in 2007. It became apparent that tadalafil as well as other PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, and vardenafil) could cause a sudden hearing loss.

Other historical milestones pertain to the marketing of prescription drugs in general. In 1997 advertisements for drugs such as Cialis were suddenly being marketed to consumers.

Certain guidelines such as warnings about side effects were still set in place but more relaxed consumer ads were allowed. In later years, more improvements on consumer prescription drug ad standards were made.