adcirca

Adcirca (tadalafil) relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.

Adcirca is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women.

Another brand of tadalafil is Cialis which used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) in men. Do not take Adcirca while also taking Cialis, unless your doctor tells you to.

Important information

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with tadalafil. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take Adcirca if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and some recreational drugs such as "poppers". Taking Adcirca with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

Stop using Adcirca and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Adcirca if you are allergic to tadalafil, or:

• if you take other medicines to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, such as riociguat (Adempas).

Do not take Adcirca if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide mononitrate. Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Adcirca with a nitrate medicine can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure.

To make sure Adcirca is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or heart rhythm problems, coronary artery disease;

• a recent heart attack (within the past 90 days);

• a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a stroke, or congestive heart failure;

• angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure;

• liver or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

• a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;

• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;

• a stomach ulcer;

• retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);

• a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie"s disease); or

• if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.

Adcirca can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Adcirca, most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old.

Adcirca is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether tadalafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Adcirca?

Adcirca is usually taken only once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Tadalafil can be taken with or without food.

Do not break or split a Adcirca tablet. Swallow it whole.

Do not take Cialis if you are taking Adcirca for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Adcirca dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pulmonary Hypertension:

Adcirca:
-40 mg orally once a day

Comment: Dividing the 40 mg dose over the course of the day is not recommended.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Adcirca?

Drinking alcohol with tadalafil can cause side effects.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with tadalafil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking this medicine.

Avoid using any other medicines to treat impotence, such as alprostadil or yohimbine, without first talking to your doctor.

Adcirca side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Adcirca: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Adcirca and get emergency medical help if you have:

• erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (prolonged erection can damage the penis);

• vision changes or sudden vision loss; or

• heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating.

Also call your doctor right away if you have:

• ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;

• irregular heartbeat;

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• shortness of breath;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common Adcirca side effects may include:

• headache;

• sinus pain, sore throat; or

• muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Adcirca?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

• antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS;

• drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder; or

• seizure medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tadalafil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.