Cialis Side Effects

Generic name: tadalafil

Note: This page contains information about the side effects of tadalafil. Some of the dosage forms included on this document may not apply to the brand name Cialis.

In 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. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to tadalafil: oral tablet

In addition to its needed effects, some unwanted effects may be caused by tadalafil (the active ingredient contained in Cialis). In the event that any of these side effects do occur, they may require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking tadalafil:

Less common:

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• dizziness
• fainting
• faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• headache
• hearing loss
• nausea
• nervousness
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pounding in the ears
• shortness of breath
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Rare

• Painful or prolonged erection of the penis

Incidence not known:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• blindness
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• cough
• cracks in the skin
• decrease or change in vision
• diarrhea
• difficulty with speaking
• double vision
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• headache, severe and throbbing
• hives or welts
• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
• inability to speak
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of heat from the body
• numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet
• red irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, swollen skin
• redness of the skin
• redness or soreness of the eyes
• scaly skin
• skin rash
• slow speech
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sudden cardiac death
• swelling of the feet or lower legs

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects that can occur with tadalafil may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

More common:

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• heartburn
• indigestion
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Less common:

• Bloody nose
• body aches or pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• congestion
• difficulty with moving
• difficulty with swallowing
• dry mouth
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• excessive eye discharge
• eye pain
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• fever
• hoarseness
• increased erection
• lack or loss of strength
• loose stools
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle stiffness
• nasal congestion
• neck pain
• pain
• pain in the arms or legs
• pain or burning in the throat
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• reduced sensitivity to touch
• runny nose
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleeplessness
• spontaneous penile erection
• stomach upset
• swelling of the eyelids
• swelling or puffiness of the eyes or face
• swollen joints
• tearing
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• tenderness in the stomach area
• trouble with sleeping
• unable to sleep
• upper abdominal or stomach pain
• voice changes
• watering of the eyes

Rare

• Changes in color vision

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to tadalafil: 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

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

Renal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematuria
Frequency not reported: Renal impairment^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function tests, GGTP increased^[Ref]

Not all side effects for Cialis may be reported. You should always consult a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice. Side effects can be reported to the FDA here.