Note: This document contains side effect information about tadalafil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Cialis.
Summary
Common side effects of Cialis include: dyspepsia and headache. Other side effects include: upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, myalgia, cough, and nasal congestion. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to tadalafil: oral tablets.
Side effects include:
ED and/or BPH: Headache, dyspepsia, back pain, myalgia, nasal congestion, flushing, limb pain.
PAH: Headache, myalgia, nasopharyngitis, flushing, upper/lower respiratory tract infection, pain in extremity, nausea, back pain, dyspepsia, nasal/sinus congestion.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to tadalafil: oral suspension, oral tablet.
General
The most commonly reported adverse reactions were headache, nausea, dyspepsia, back pain, myalgia, flushing, nasopharyngitis, and pain in the extremity. These adverse reactions were dose dependent, transient, and generally mild or moderate.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Flushing (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hot flush
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Unstable angina pectoris, postural hypotension, ventricular arrhythmia
Postmarketing reports: Myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, stroke, chest pain, palpitations, and tachycardia, have been reported in temporal association with the use of this drug.[Ref]
Most patients that experienced side effects such as myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, stroke, palpitations, and tachycardia had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. Many of these events were reported to occur during or shortly after sexual activity.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (up to 13%), nausea (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, constipation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting
Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, dysphagia, esophagitis, gastritis, loose stools, nausea, upper abdominal pain, hemorrhoidal hemorrhage, rectal hemorrhage[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (up to 14%), back pain (up to 12%), pain in extremity (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Pain in limb, musculoskeletal stiffness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, muscle spasm
Frequency not reported: Neck pain[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 42%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness (1%)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Transient global amnesia, transient ischemic attacks
Frequency not reported: Hypesthesia, somnolence, syncope, paraesthesia
Postmarketing reports: Migraine, seizure and seizure recurrence[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis (up to 13%), upper and lower respiratory tract infection (up to 13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion (including sinus congestion), cough, influenza, pulmonary hypertension, rhinitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, epistaxis
Frequency not reported: Pharyngitis[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, menorrhagia (including uterine bleeding)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Penile hemorrhage, hematospermia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Prolonged erections
Frequency not reported: Erection increased, spontaneous penile erection
Postmarketing reports: Priapism[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, fatigue, edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Facial edema
Frequency not reported: Vertigo, asthenia, pain
Postmarketing reports: Cases of sudden decrease or loss of hearing have been reported in temporal association with the use of this drug.[Ref]
In some of the cases, medical conditions and other factors were reported that may have also played a role in the otologic adverse events. In many cases, medical follow-up information was limited.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, urticaria, hyperhidrosis (sweating)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema
Frequency not reported: Pruritus
Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ocular hyperemia, eye pain, eyelid edema
Rare (less than 0.1%): Changes in color vision
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, conjunctivitis (including conjunctival hyperemia), eye pain, lacrimation increased
Postmarketing reports: Visual field defect, retinal vein occlusion, and retinal artery occlusion. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision including permanent loss of vision, has been reported in temporal association with the use of this drug.[Ref]
Most of the patients with NAION, but not all, had underlying anatomic or vascular risk factors, including but not necessarily limited to: Low cup to disc ratio ("crowded disc"), age over 50, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, and smoking.[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria
Frequency not reported: Renal impairment[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function tests, GGTP increased[Ref]