Drug Interaction Report

Talk to your doctor before using tadalafil together with telaprevir. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of tadalafil. Depending on your condition, you may not be able to use these medications together, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, vision or hearing loss, chest pain or tightness, irregular heartbeat, and/or priapism (prolonged and painful erection unrelated to sexual activity), as these may be signs and symptoms of excessive tadalafil levels. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Tadalafil can lower blood pressure, and combining it with alcohol may further increase this effect. You may be more likely to experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, and heart palpitations. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to not more than 4 alcohol-containing drinks during a small period of time while being treated with tadalafil, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. You may also want to avoid drinking large amounts of grapefruit juice, since it may increase the blood levels and effects of tadalafil. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food significantly increases the absorption of telaprevir. Within 30 minutes before you take each dose of telaprevir, you should eat a meal or snack containing approximately 20 grams of fat. Taking it on an empty stomach may lead to inadequate blood levels and reduced effectiveness of the medication. Examples of some foods that could be taken with telaprevir include: bagel with cream cheese; half cup of nuts; 3 tablespoons of peanut butter; 1 cup of ice cream; 2 ounces of American or cheddar cheese; 2 ounces of potato chips; or half cup of trail mix. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have additional questions about how to take telaprevir.