How does it work?

Apcalis tablets contain the active ingredient tadalafil, which is a medicine used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence). Tadalafil is called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, and works by preventing the action of a chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5.

An erection is produced via a complex chain of events, involving signals from the nervous system and the release of chemical messengers within the tissues of the penis. One of these chemical messengers is called cyclic GMP.

Cyclic GMP causes the blood vessels in the penis to widen by relaxing a thin layer of muscle found in the blood vessel walls. This allows more blood to enter the penis, which ultimately results in the penis becoming rigid and erect.

Cyclic GMP is normally broken down by another chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5. Tadalafil works by preventing the action of phosphodiesterase type 5, thus stopping the breakdown of cyclic GMP. This means that the blood vessels are kept dilated for longer, improving blood flow to the penis and maintaining an erection.

As tadalafil enhances the actions of the chemical messengers responsible for producing an erection, it will only work once these messengers are present. This means that sexual stimulation is required for it to produce and maintain an erection. The dose should be taken at least 30 minutes before intended intercourse, and it may produce an erection in response to sexual stimulation for up to 36 hours after taking the dose.

What is it used for?

• Impotence (Erectile Dysfunction) 
  
  

Warning!

• Unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise, you should avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may increase the level of this medicine in your blood and hence increase the risk of side effects.
  
  
• If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism), consult a doctor immediately. Treatment of this condition should not be delayed more than 6 hours, as this can cause damage to the erectile tissue in the penis and irreversible erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• This medicine may cause dizziness and so may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
  
  
• If this medicine is taken with alcohol there is an increased risk of a drop in blood pressure that might make you feel dizzy. In addition, alcohol can impair sexual performance.
  
  
• This medicine should not be taken more than once a day, and it is strongly recommended that you don't use it every day. This is because the long-term safety of using this medicine every day for long periods of time has not been established, and also because the effect usually lasts for longer than one day.