Cialis is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. Cialis may be used alone or with other medications. Cialis belongs to a class of drugs called Phosphodiesterase-5 Enzyme Inhibitors. When taken under a medically supervised program, Cialis relaxes the smooth muscles and arteries inside the penis. At the same time, it also increases blood flow to the penis. When aroused, this combination of relaxation and increased blood flow allows the penis to fill with blood, which results in an erection. It’s important to remember that Cialis only works if you are sexually aroused.

How Quickly Does Cialis Work?

First, Cialis works relatively quickly but not as fast as Viagra. It can take 1 – 2 hours for the full effects of Cialis to kick in, though it only takes about an hour for Viagra to work fully. On the other hand, the effects of Cialis last noticeably longer than the effects of Viagra, normally up to 36 hours. That’s a full 1.5 days! Don’t be alarmed, though; that doesn’t mean you’ll have an erection for 1.5 days straight. That would be an emergency, which we’ll talk about soon. But you may be able to achieve an erection with the help of Cialis throughout the 36-hour time period. This is one of the reasons some men prefer Cialis; it allows for more spontaneous sexual activity. If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, even if it’s not painful, consider it a medical emergency. Known as priapism, this condition can cause permanent damage to the tissue that allows you to become erect. People with sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and some penile deformities are more likely to have a prolonged erection.

Side Effects of Cialis:

Aside from a prolonged erection, which is an emergency, possible side effects of Cialis include: 

• flushing
• headache 
• nasal congestion
• heartburn
• back pain / muscle pain

You might wonder how long you can safely use Cialis. Right now, there isn’t a maximum period of time for safely taking the medication. But as the years pass, you may begin taking other drugs, such as blood pressure or antifungal medications that could be dangerous if combined with Cialis, Viagra, and similar ED drugs. Always be sure the medical providers at LKN Weight Loss & Wellness know what other medications you are or plan to be taking.