Tadasil

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Tadasil

What is Tadasil?

Tadasil is an oral pharmacological agent primarily utilized for the management of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. The active therapeutic component in Tadasil is tadalafil, a compound designed to assist in achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient for sexual activity when physical stimulation is present.

Mechanism of Action

The medication functions by influencing the biochemical response to sexual stimulation. Under normal conditions, sexual arousal leads to the release of nitric oxide in the penile tissue, which then activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase. This enzyme increases levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which relaxes the smooth muscles in the blood vessels of the penis, allowing for increased blood flow.

Tadasil works by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, which is responsible for the degradation of cGMP. By preventing this breakdown, the medication helps maintain higher levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum, supporting the physiological process required for an erection. It is important to note that the medication does not cause an erection in the absence of sexual arousal; it serves to enhance the natural response to stimulation.

Pharmacological Profile

Tadasil is characterized by its extended duration of action compared to other medications in the same class. Due to its specific molecular structure, the active ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream and remains effective for a significant window of time. This characteristic has led to its clinical application both as an as-needed treatment and, in specific formulations, as a daily therapeutic option for managing chronic symptoms.

Beyond its primary use for erectile dysfunction, the active ingredient in Tadasil is also used in medical contexts to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition involving an enlarged prostate, by helping to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder.

Regulatory References

  1. Prokinetic agents in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders - PMC - NIH

What side effects are possible with Tadasil?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Official regulatory documentation structures the safety profile of Tadasil (Cisapride) around two primary domains: a set of commonly reported, generally non-serious adverse reactions and the formally documented risk of serious cardiac events.

Adverse Reaction Scope

The most frequently reported effects are categorized under Gastrointestinal disorders, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and flatulence. Nervous system disorders such as headache and somnolence (drowsiness) are also frequently noted in the official classifications.

Classification Examples of Officially Listed Effects
Common Headache, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Nausea, Constipation, Rhinitis
Uncommon/Rare Rash, Pruritus, Fatigue, Abnormal liver function, Seizures

Serious Adverse Reactions

The most critical documented safety element is the risk of Serious Cardiac Arrhythmias. These are specifically classified in regulatory labels and include Ventricular fibrillation, Ventricular tachycardia, Torsades de Pointes, and QT interval prolongation. Such events have been associated with reports of fatalities.

Safety-Related Restrictions and Limitations

Use of Tadasil is contraindicated in patients with specific medical conditions that increase the risk of these serious cardiac events. These conditions include a history of irregular heartbeats, certain abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) findings, pre-existing heart disease, severe kidney or lung disease, and uncorrected electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low potassium, magnesium). Co-administration with certain drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme or are known to prolong the QT interval is also strictly forbidden due to the heightened risk of serious arrhythmias.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

This information is derived strictly from government regulatory documentation concerning overexposure.

Overdose scope

Documented overdose presentations Overexposure may present with signs of severe gastrointestinal hyper-stimulation, including vomiting and diarrhea. CNS effects such as muscle twitches, seizures, agitation, and hyperthermia have also been documented.
Physiological systems affected (as stated in label) Cardiovascular System, Gastrointestinal Tract, and Central Nervous System.
Dose-related or exposure-related factors (if applicable) Exposure that results in high plasma levels of the drug.
Population-specific overdose notes (if applicable) Toxicity risk is heightened by pre-existing electrolyte imbalance (e.g., uncorrected hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia) and cardiac disorders. Drug accumulation may be higher in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
Emergency-response statements (as written in official documents) The medication must be immediately stopped if syncope or an irregular or rapid heartbeat develops. If the person has collapsed, had a seizure, or cannot be awakened, immediately call emergency services (911) or the Poison Control Helpline.
When immediate medical help is required (label-derived phrasing only) Upon the manifestation of Syncope or Arrhythmias.

Overdose classifications (high-level)

Severity classification (as defined in official documents) Associated with serious irregular heartbeats and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, including Torsades de Pointes.
Regulatory basis (EMA / FDA / etc.) FDA Prescribing Information, EMA Referrals, NIH MedlinePlus.
Overdose-context constraints (as defined in official documents) Management requires evaluation for possible QT prolongation, assessment of serum electrolytes, and the provision of close observation and general supportive measures.

Resulting overdose structure

Official overdose statements:

  • Overexposure carries the severe risk of QT prolongation leading to Torsades de Pointes and potentially Cardiac Arrest or Sudden Death.
  • Manifestations may include profound GI distress, CNS stimulation leading to seizures, and systemic hyperthermia.
  • Management requires immediate drug cessation, ECG evaluation, and electrolyte assessment (potassium, magnesium) for continuous observation.

Connection to the overall overdose profile (2–4 sentences):

Regulatory documents define the overdose profile primarily through the risk of severe Cardiotoxicity and resultant ventricular arrhythmias, which dictates the required emergency response. This profile strictly mandates that symptoms such as syncope or seizures require immediate medical intervention or activation of emergency services, focusing on the documented life-threatening consequences of overexposure.

Therapeutic Uses of Tadasil

What Tadasil Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Tadasil is commonly used in clinical settings to help manage symptoms related to organ-specific functional stress. It is relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate in contexts involving heightened systemic burden. The medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed to address symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

Therapeutic Scope and Relief

Tadasil is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms such as severe or persistent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Gastroparesis, and certain forms of Chronic Constipation. It supports the patient during difficult episodes by easing distress from symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive, and is relevant for managing symptoms such as epigastric fullness, nausea, and regurgitation. Tadasil is considered relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, and may assist with managing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states, particularly for nighttime heartburn.

Quick Fact: Support for Symptom Burdens Tadasil contributes to easing the overall symptom load in conditions like Functional Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis, and may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations when symptoms are more noticeable.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The official regulatory profile for Tadasil (Cisapride) is exceptionally restrictive, defining strict criteria for both eligible and contraindicated populations due to the drug's established cardiac risks.

Populations Who Must Not Use Tadasil

The medicine is contraindicated (prohibited) for patients with a history of prolonged QTc interval (QTc > 450 milliseconds) or congenital Long QT syndrome. Use is also strictly forbidden in patients with pre-existing cardiac conditions, including congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, or ischemic heart disease.

Non-eligibility also extends to individuals with uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, or those taking certain medications (specifically CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors), which are prohibited due to the risk of increasing the drug's concentration.


Restricted and Conditional Use

Eligibility for Adults is generally limited to those who have failed all other standard therapies and are enrolled in a Limited Access Protocol. Use is generally not recommended for pediatric patients due to safety concerns and uncharacterized pharmacokinetics, confining its application to specialized, monitored programs.

Patients with severe renal impairment are ineligible, while those with hepatic impairment are required to use a reduced dosage (e.g., 50% reduction) as a formal restriction. Tadasil is classified as Pregnancy Category C.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Tadasil Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Tadasil (Cisapride) is rigorously defined by documented interaction patterns that affect the drug’s metabolism and its effects on cardiac electrical function. These interactions result in formal restrictions on co-administration with multiple substance classes.

Contraindicated Combinations A large number of medicinal products are explicitly contraindicated due to two primary interaction mechanisms. The first is a pharmacokinetic interaction involving the inhibition of the CYP3A4 enzyme, which significantly increases the plasma concentration of Cisapride. This prohibited category includes potent inhibitors like macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin and clarithromycin), azole antifungal agents (including ketoconazole and fluconazole), and HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir). The second type of prohibited combination involves a pharmacodynamic risk: any medicinal product known to prolong the QTc interval (e.g., sotalol or dofetilide) is contraindicated due to the potential for severe, additive cardiac rhythm effects.

Other Documented Restrictions The label specifies that the consumption of grapefruit juice is not allowed because it is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4, resulting in increased systemic exposure. Co-administration with alcohol and other Central Nervous System depressants may lead to additive pharmacodynamic effects. Furthermore, the official regulatory documentation includes a population-specific note: a dose adjustment is required for patients with hepatic impairment, a measure tied to the drug's reduced clearance and the heightened risk of accumulation in this population.

Mechanism of Action

Tadasil, the brand name for the compound tadalafil, functions as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This enzyme is predominantly localized within the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum tissue, the pulmonary vasculature, and the prostate.

The intracellular pathway begins with the release of nitric oxide (NO), which activates guanylate cyclase to synthesize the second messenger molecule, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), from guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Normally, PDE5 hydrolyzes and degrades cGMP into inactive GMP, terminating the signal. By binding to and inhibiting PDE5, tadalafil prevents the hydrolysis of cGMP, thereby increasing and sustaining its intracellular concentration.

The downstream cascade involves elevated cGMP levels, which lead to the activation of protein kinase G (PKG). PKG phosphorylation results in a decrease in intracellular calcium ion concentrations, which is the direct molecular signal for smooth muscle relaxation. This systemic physiological consequence involves vasodilation in the targeted tissues, specifically inducing relaxation of the vascular and visceral smooth muscle.

Dosage and Administration Information

Tadasil, which contains the active substance cisapride, is approved for oral administration, available in formulated strengths that include 10 mg and 20 mg tablets, or as a liquid suspension. The official usage pattern dictates a time-sensitive protocol, requiring administration approximately 15 minutes prior to main meals, with the addition of a dose at bedtime when a four-times-daily schedule is prescribed.

Official Dosing Regimens

Standard adult dosing for approved conditions generally follows an initial regimen of 10 mg four times per day, with the provision to increase the dose to a maximum of 20 mg per administration if deemed necessary. For other conditions, the regimen may begin at 5 mg and be taken three times daily, with an optional increase to 10 mg per dose.

Population-Specific Use

Dosage must be precisely managed for specific patient groups; a required 50% reduction in the total daily dose is stipulated for individuals with hepatic impairment. Pediatric patients (over one year of age) are administered a weight-based dose ranging from 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg per administration, with a maximum limit of 10 mg per single dose. Furthermore, instructions specify that if an administration time is missed, the subsequent dose should be taken as scheduled, and no attempt should be made to double the dose to compensate.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Tadasil (Cisapride)

The available research evidence for Tadasil focuses on its evaluation in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews, which explore how the medicine was evaluated regarding gastrointestinal movement patterns. The official research examines how the medicine was observed in different patient groups and for various functional conditions.


Research Evidence for Use in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Tadasil was evaluated in trials involving adults and, separately, children and infants, who were experiencing GERD, a condition associated with episodic or acute reflux manifestations. These studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over defined time intervals. Investigators in these trials monitored objective physiological markers, such as specific pressure measurements in the lower esophageal sphincter, and also tracked patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort from heartburn and regurgitation.

Findings from studies examining patient-reported experiences in adults described patterns observed, including how symptoms evolved over short-term treatment phases (typically four to eight weeks). However, the evidence for clinically important outcomes in children and infants remains low and appears to be inconsistent across the studies conducted.


Research Evidence for Use in Gastroparesis

Tadasil was studied for gastroparesis, a condition marked by functional limitations related to slow stomach emptying, particularly in adults with diabetic or idiopathic (unknown cause) forms. Research monitored objective functional outcomes, primarily the rate of gastric emptying, which was measured using specialized scans or tests.

Data describe patterns related to measurements of gastric emptying speed which were observed in some studies during the active treatment period. However, the available evidence is primarily based on these objective functional outcomes, which may not always align clearly with sustained, patient-reported symptom resolution. The main limitations are that follow-up durations were limited in many trials, with most evidence focusing on short-term changes.


Studies in Specific Populations and Extended Follow-up

Research has explored Tadasil's use across different groups, including a specific focus on children and infants with GERD symptoms. For these pediatric populations, the evidence is limited, and findings were mixed regarding sustained clinical benefit compared to controls. This highlights that results apply only to the populations studied, and data for certain groups remain insufficient.

For the general adult population, there is limited information for long-term outcomes. The long-term effects are not fully established, and researchers have noted that follow-up durations were limited for studying the durability of any measured change over time.


What Scientific Reviews Indicate is Still Uncertain

Scientific reviews of the research indicate several areas of uncertainty and limitation. Evidence quality varies across studies, and consistency of findings remains a challenge. The research highlights what is known—that Tadasil was studied for its association with motility changes—and what is still uncertain—the long-term impact and durable effects across all patient groups.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Tadasil (FAQ)

Q: What is the maximum dose I can take in a day?

Official information defines the maximum recommended dose per administration and the standard frequency, from which a total daily dose is derived. For the approved adult regimen, this maximum is 80 mg daily (20 mg taken four times). Dosage management is overseen by a healthcare professional.


Q: Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking Tadasil?

Official regulatory documents state that grapefruit juice is strictly contraindicated with this medicine and should not be consumed. This is because grapefruit juice is known to block an enzyme called CYP3A4. Blocking this enzyme leads to increased concentrations of Tadasil in the bloodstream, which in turn raises the risk of severe cardiac side effects.


Q: What are the symptoms of an overdose or too much Tadasil?

An overdose is associated with exaggerated pharmacological effects, including reports of abdominal cramping, increased stool frequency, and somnolence (drowsiness). Regulatory warnings indicate a heightened potential for severe, irregular heart rhythms, such as Torsades de Pointes, in overdose situations. Immediate medical attention is required for suspected overdose.


Q: Is Tadasil safe for children under one year old?

Official product information indicates that the medicine is generally not recommended for pediatric patients, including those under one year of age. This is due to safety concerns and limitations in data regarding how the medicine works in younger children. Any use in this population may be limited to specialized, closely monitored treatment programs as described in regulatory documentation.


Q: How long does it take for Tadasil to start working?

Regulatory documents indicate the onset of effect is generally observed within 30 to 60 minutes after oral administration. This timeframe aligns with the medicine's absorption rate and is when the active substance begins to affect the body's systems.

How should Tadasil be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Tadasil?

This information is based strictly on regulatory requirements and official product labeling for Tadasil (Tadalafil).

Official Storage Conditions

To ensure product stability and effectiveness:

  • Temperature: Store below 30 C (e.g., at controlled room temperature).
  • Environment: Protect the medicine from both moisture and light.
  • Handling: Keep the tablets in the original blister packaging until use and keep the product from freezing.
  • Safety: The medicine must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal Requirements

Disposal must adhere to local regulations to protect the environment.

  • Do not dispose of Tadasil in household trash or via wastewater (e.g., flushing down the toilet).
  • Any unused or expired medicine must be returned to a pharmacy or designated collection point.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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