From the Guidelines
Cialis (tadalafil) is not typically associated with increased creatinine kinase (CK) levels. Elevated CK is not listed among the common or significant side effects of Cialis in clinical studies or post-marketing surveillance, as seen in studies such as 1 and 1. While phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors like Cialis primarily affect blood flow by relaxing smooth muscle in blood vessels, they don't generally impact skeletal muscle metabolism or cause muscle breakdown that would lead to CK elevation. If a patient taking Cialis experiences elevated CK levels, other more common causes should be investigated, such as:
- Strenuous exercise
- Muscle trauma
- Certain medications (particularly statins)
- Underlying medical conditions It's worth noting that some patients taking Cialis may also be on other medications that could cause CK elevation, so a complete medication review would be important, as suggested by 1. If a patient experiences unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness while taking Cialis, they should consult their healthcare provider promptly to determine the cause and appropriate management. In clinical practice, the focus should be on identifying and addressing the underlying cause of elevated CK levels rather than attributing it to Cialis without thorough investigation. The provided evidence from 1, 1, and 1 supports the safety and efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis in the management of erectile dysfunction, without indicating a significant association with increased creatinine kinase levels.
From the Research
Association between Cialis and Creatinine Kinase
- Cialis, also known as tadalafil, is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction.
- Studies have investigated the effects of tadalafil on plasma markers of exercise-induced muscle damage, including creatine kinase (CK) 2, 3.
- One study found that tadalafil administration per se affected cellular damage markers, including CK, and that exhaustive exercise increased CK levels, with subjects in the tadalafil group showing significantly higher values than the placebo group 2.
- Another study found that a single administration of tadalafil induced a significant increase in CK plasma levels 24 hours after consumption, indicating muscle damage 3.
- These findings suggest that tadalafil may be associated with increased creatinine kinase levels, particularly in individuals who engage in strenuous exercise or have high physical activity levels 2, 3.
Mechanisms and Implications
- The exact mechanisms by which tadalafil affects CK levels are not fully understood, but may be related to its effects on redox homeostasis and antioxidant capacity 2, 3.
- The increase in CK levels associated with tadalafil use may be a concern for individuals who engage in high-intensity exercise or have pre-existing muscle damage 4.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between tadalafil and CK levels, as well as the potential implications for individuals with high physical activity levels or muscle damage 2, 3.