Adcirca (Tadalafil)

What is Adcirca?

Adcirca belongs to a group of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

What is Adcirca used for?

Adcirca is recommended for the treatment of high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension). This, in turn, allows better functioning of the heart and improves the patient’s ability to exercise.

How does Adcirca work?

Adcirca works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs by blocking a type of enzyme called phosphodiesterase-PDE5 in the body.

How to use Adcirca

Take Adcirca in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Do not take it for longer period or in larger amount than suggested.

This medication is recommended to be taken orally with or without food once daily or as suggested by the doctor. The dosage is usually decoded depending upon the medical condition or the response to the treatment.

Adcirca warnings and precautions

Do not take Adcirca if you are allergic to the medicine.

Do not engage in any activity that requires alertness like driving until you feel you can do it comfortably. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Adcirca.

Inform your doctor about your medical history especially about kidney or liver problems, heart problems that include coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, history of heart attack/chest pain, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis or irregular heartbeat, sickle cell anemia, blood cell cancers like leukemia or myeloma, bleeding disorders, history of painful or prolonged erection, penis conditions such as angulation, fibrosis or scarring, or Peyronie’s disease; eye problems including retina diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, or active stomach ulcers.

The medication may cause dizziness. To reduce this state of lightheadedness or dizziness, try to get up slowly from lying or sitting position.

In the event of pregnancy, the medication should only be taken when it is very much needed. You should also consult the doctor to know the risks involved while taking the medication during pregnancy. Whether the medication interacts with breast milk or not is not known.

Avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while the course of Adcirca medication is going on unless the health care provider advises otherwise.

What do I do if I have missed a Adcirca dose?

If you have missed your Adcirca dose, take it as soon as you remember. In case you remember around the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and retain the schedule.

What do I do if I have taken a Adcirca overdose?

If you have taken an Adcirca overdose you should seek medical help.

Adcirca interactions

Before starting the Adcirca medication, inform the health care provider about all prescribed, non prescribed and herbal dosages that you are on. The effects of some of the drugs may change when taken along with Adcirca.

Consult your doctor in case you take alpha-blockers, certain recreational drugs (‘poppers’) containing amyl/butyl nitrite, high blood pressure medications, medications that treat chest pain, macrolide antibiotics, azole antifungals, seizure medications and HIV protease inhibitors like ritonavir.

Also, do not start taking any new medicine without consulting your doctor.

Adcirca side effects

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience side effects of Adcirca like lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, headache, flushing, muscle pain, stuffy nose, or stomach upset.

You may also experience partial blindness in one of the eyes or in both the eyes if you are a heart patient, suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol or if you smoke. In such a case, consult the doctor immediately.

Less serious side effects from Adcirca include rash, itching or swelling and dizziness.