Wondering if Tadalafil lowers your blood pressure? You’re not alone. It’s a common and important question, especially if you’re taking medication for heart-related conditions or managing blood pressure.
Tadalafil is widely known as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), but it’s also FDA-approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It may help relax your blood vessels, but that same mechanism could also impact your blood pressure.
In this article, we explain how Tadalafil works, its effect on the cardiovascular system, and whether it helps lower your blood pressure. We also discuss drug interactions, safety considerations, dosage guidelines, and what to do if Tadalafil lowers your blood pressure.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in various medications for ED, PAH, and BPH, which are part of a group of medicines known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
PDE5 inhibitors are vasodilating drugs. They block the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of your blood vessels. This action extends to vasodilating mediators, like nitric oxide (NO).
In patients with ED, these vasodilating drugs increase blood flow to the penis during sexual activity. They also reduce how quickly the PDE5 enzyme works.
ED is a condition where a man’s penis can’t maintain an erection because it can’t expand or harden when he’s sexually excited. It’s characterized by reduced blood flow to the penis caused by uncontrolled release of the PDE5 enzyme, which drugs like Tadalafil control.
Tadalafil achieves this benefit through muscle relaxation, making it useful in treating BPH.
By targeting muscles, it reduces enlarged prostate gland symptoms like a weak bladder or difficulty peeing. It also helps your urine flow more effortlessly by relaxing the bladder muscles and the urinary tract.
There are also benefits for PAH, which causes high blood pressure in your lungs.
Tadafadil may lower blood pressure in your lungs by relaxing blood vessels in your chest. It specifically targets the muscle cells in these vessels, allowing them to expand.
By expanding your blood vessels, Tadalafil increases blood flow, allowing it to flow more smoothly to your lungs and the rest of your body.
Tadalafil may lower your blood pressure. However, it only drops slightly if you use the drug alone. This minor reduction expands blood vessels and increases blood flow.
A clinical trial showed that Tadalafil lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 4.8 mm Hg and 2.9 mm Hg. This value was slightly higher in hypertensive patients, at 7.5 mm Hg and 4.3 mm Hg.
To put these drops into perspective, the American Heart Association (AHA) defines blood pressure in three main categories:
The first number in your reading is the systolic pressure. It measures the force your blood exerts on artery walls when your heart beats. The second number is the diastolic pressure. It represents the pressure on your artery walls between heartbeats when the heart is at rest.
If your blood pressure is normal, reductions of 4.8 mm Hg (systolic) and 2.9 mm Hg (diastolic) are insignificant and likely won’t cause any harm.
These medications could lower your blood pressure dangerously if taken with Tadalafil:
Depending on the dose, Tadalafil can lower your blood pressure for up to 26 hours. At 20 mg doses, minor blood pressure drops typically last around 26 hours. Lower doses cause modest blood pressure drops, usually up to around 12 hours.
Studies show Tadalafil may increase the heart rate of men with a spinal cord injury (SCI).
The results revealed compensatory heart rate increases of approximately 10 BPM in SCI patients. These changes started at around 12 hours after patients took the Tadalafil dose and lasted until 36 hours post-dose.
To put these values into perspective, a normal resting heart rate according to the AHA is between 60 and 100 bpm. A concerning heart rate would be anything over 100 bpm (resting). This rate is considered tachycardia, when your heart rate is too fast.
In patients with SCI, resting heart rates increased by Tadalafil don’t pose a major concern. However, use during sexual activity could exacerbate these rates, leading to tachycardia.
Does Tadalafil increase heart rate in healthy males? Healthy men experienced minor to no heart rate changes when taking Tadalafil.
While some cardiac events were reported, including stroke, tachycardia, and chest pain, they were rare. Most of the patients who experienced cardiac events had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors.
It’s also worth noting that combining Tadalafil with nitrates can cause severe hypotension, which could trigger reflex tachycardia.
When taken on its own, Tadalafil is typically safe, but when taken with certain substances and medications, it can raise concerns.
The following medications and substances should be avoided. They can cause dangerous drops in your blood pressure if taken with Tadalafil:
Tadalafil is usually safe to take for healthy people, but there are some side effects that may occur. These can vary depending on the dose you’re taking and other medical conditions you may have.
The most common side effects are typically mild and include:
These side effects don’t usually last very long, but may require a healthcare professional’s advice if they persist.
In rare cases, more severe side effects may occur:
Seek medical attention immediately if any of these side effects occur. You should also get help if you experience symptoms of low blood pressure. These include fainting, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, lightheadedness, or fatigue.
Tadalafil could exacerbate certain medical conditions or induce different side effects. Consider these factors and conditions before taking it:
If Tadalafil lowers your blood pressure, you need to be prepared. That means monitoring your blood pressure before and after taking it and knowing what to do if your blood pressure drops.
Ideally, you should have a home monitor. Wrap the cuff around your arm, just above the elbow. This position ensures that it can detect your artery.
Avoid moving or making noise, as it can alter the reading. It’s also best to remain standing and keep your legs straight to ensure an accurate measurement.
Take your reading two to three times, one to two minutes apart. Ignore your first reading and do another if it’s significantly higher than the next. You can determine the average once you have two to three readings to work with.
Record your readings somewhere safe and easily accessible. Continue to monitor your blood pressure over the next 26 hours after taking Tadalafil.
If your blood pressure drops to a dangerous level, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Knowing the correct dosage when taking Tadalafil is essential. The typical and maximum doses vary depending on the condition you use it for:
So, does Tadalafil lower your blood pressure? It may lower your blood pressure, but by insignificant amounts.
Tadalafil can drop your blood pressure dangerously if taken with medications and substances like nitrates, excessive quantities of alcohol, and guanylate cyclase stimulators.
We recommend monitoring your blood pressure and contacting your healthcare provider if your blood pressure drops or you experience any symptoms of low blood pressure.
Overall, Tadalafil remains a safe and reliable ED medication for healthy individuals.
At Daytryp RX, we recognize the importance of sexual health. Contact us today if you’re ready to take the next step and spice things up.
Prescription products require an online evaluation by a licensed medical professional. Medications are prescribed by licensed physicians as part of our programs, and actual product packaging may vary. The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety or effectiveness. For prescription items, Daytryp Health will arrange a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. If approved, prescriptions can be filled at a partner pharmacy.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.