FDA Approves Tadalafil for Enlarged Prostate
Thanks to the wonders of medicine and health care, we are living a lot longer today than our ancestors. Living longer isn’t always a good thing, especially when aging comes with a series of problems. For men, there is a 50% chance of having enlarged prostate by the age of 50. By the time men hit 80 years old, there is a 75% chance that they will have enlarged prostate. In nearly half the cases, the symptoms are severe, such as the need to urinate frequently, painful urination, and embarrassing situations with incontinence.
There are already several drugs available for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as alpha blockers and 5-reductase inhibitors like Finasteride. The later has gotten a lot of attention because it also prevents male pattern baldness. But, Finasteride commonly (8% of patients in clinical trials) causes impotence – and the impotence can become permanent. Now that Tadalafil is available, men can treat their enlarged prostate while also getting the added benefit of better erections.
Researchers aren’t exactly sure how Tadalafil helps enlarged prostate. However, they do know that Tadalafil blocks an enzyme called PDE5. This helps keep blood vessels dilated so more blood flows to the genitals, thus improving erection quality as well as prostate health. Further, blocking PDE5 causes an increase in the levels of a natural chemical cyclic guanosine monophosphate in the smooth muscle tissue of the prostate and bladder. This has a relaxing effect so symptoms of enlarge prostate are reduced. In several clinical studies, Tadalafil reduced symptoms in both men with ED and without ED.
Tadalafil still isn’t going to be the first-line treatment for enlarged prostate because the other medicines may still be more effective. However, it will likely become the drug of choice for men who are experiencing ED and enlarged prostate. The good news is that men will only have to take one pill for both conditions – and it will be covered by insurance. By contrast, insurance companies will not fully cover Tadalafil when used for just ED.
The approved recommended dosage of Tadalafil for enlarged prostate and ED is a 5mg tablet taken once daily, ideally at the same time every day. Tadalafil can be taken with or without meals though it is recommended to take it with a glass of water. The precautions with Tadalafil for enlarged prostate are the same as when it is used for treating just ED. Men should never mix Tadalafil with nitrate drugs. Men with heart, or liver may not be able to take Tadalafil safely.