Hi I’m 58 and fairly fit. Is it safe to take Cialis when you’re on blood pressure medication?
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Hi I’m 58 and fairly fit. Is it safe to take Cialis when you’re on blood pressure medication?
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That depends. There are many different types of blood pressure medications (anti-hypertensives), each with different action—and different potential interactions with Cialis.
Diuretics are one class of blood pressure drugs (Diuril, Lasix, etc.). They increase urination, which reduces the fluid content of the blood, which reduces blood pressure. On authoritative source of drug information, Drug Facts and Comparisons, says that co-administration of Cialis with a diuretic may add somewhat to the diuretic’s BP-lowering action, but that this “is not expected to be a clinical significance.”
Alpha-blockers are another class of anti-hypertensives (Minipress, Hytrin Cardura, etc.). “Caution is advised” when taking Cialis with alpha-blockers. Both Cialis and the alpha-blockers relax the smooth muscle tissue the surrounds the arteries, which opens these blood vessels (vasodialtors). The arteries may open so much that blood pressure drops far enough to cause fainting.
Because the different anti-hypertensives have different actions and side-effects profiles, I can’t say if the blood pressure medication you take at the dose you take is safe to use with Cialis. I urge you to ask the physician(s) who have prescribed your medications or a pharmacist.