From the Guidelines
Cialis (tadalafil) is not approved or recommended for treating general breathing problems, and its use for this purpose could be ineffective and potentially dangerous. When considering the treatment of breathing difficulties, it's essential to distinguish between different types of respiratory conditions. Tadalafil, under the brand name Adcirca, is specifically approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by relaxing blood vessels in the lungs to improve blood flow 1. However, for general breathing difficulties, asthma, COPD, or other common respiratory conditions, tadalafil is not the recommended treatment.
The most recent and highest quality evidence suggests that for patients with PAH, initial therapy recommendations include oral agents such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) or endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) 1. Tadalafil, as a PDE-5i, can be considered for PAH treatment but with careful consideration of its potential side effects and interactions, especially in patients with low baseline blood pressures or those on certain medications like nitroglycerin or protease inhibitors.
For breathing problems not related to PAH, such as asthma or COPD, other treatments are more appropriate, including bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, or other respiratory medications specifically designed to address these conditions. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of breathing difficulties and to receive appropriate treatment recommendations. Using medications like Cialis without medical guidance can lead to ineffective treatment and potential harm due to side effects or drug interactions 1.
Key points to consider:
- Tadalafil (Cialis) is not recommended for general breathing problems.
- It is approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under the brand name Adcirca.
- For PAH, initial therapy may include PDE-5i or ERA, with careful consideration of side effects and interactions.
- For other breathing difficulties, such as asthma or COPD, other specific treatments are recommended.
- Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
From the Research
Cialis for Breathing
- Cialis, also known as tadalafil, is a medication that has been studied for its potential in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition that affects breathing 2, 3, 4.
- Tadalafil is a selective cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor that has been shown to improve exercise ability and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) scores in patients with PAH 2.
- Studies have demonstrated that tadalafil can increase the mean placebo-corrected 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in patients with PAH, indicating an improvement in exercise capacity 2, 4.
- Tadalafil has also been shown to reduce the time to clinical worsening and improve HR-QOL outcomes in patients with PAH 2, 4.
- The medication has been found to be generally well tolerated, with adverse events that are transient and of mild to moderate intensity 2, 4.
- Other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil, have also been studied for their potential in treating PAH and have been shown to be effective in improving exercise capacity and delaying clinical worsening 5, 6.