Yes, phentolamine is used to treat erectile dysfunction. It causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow into the penis, producing an erection.

Phentolamine is an alpha-blocker, that produces an erection in 20 to 30 minutes. The drug is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are headaches and lightheadedness.

Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking, especially the ones listed below, as they are likely to interact with tadalafil:

• Other ED medications in the same class (avanafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil)
• Drugs that are used to treat blood pressure
• Drugs used to treat prostate disorders
• Antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and others
• Antifungal medications such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
• Medications used to treat HIV/AIDS
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine or phenytoin

Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases blood flow into the penis. Medical conditions that cause further damage to the inner lining of blood vessels can limit tadalafil’s effectiveness.

Potential reasons tadalafil is not working well to treat ED:

• The incorrect dose is used
• The medication is past its expiration date
• You have not waited for 30 to 60 minutes for tadalafil to reach its full effect
• A dosage adjustment is not made for men with poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, or high blood pressure (a higher dosage may be needed)
• Hormonal issues such as low testosterone or high prolactin

Tadalafil is taken on an as-needed basis, a minimum of 30 minutes before anticipated sexual activity, and never more than once daily.

Tadalafil is a PDE 5 inhibitor that increases nitric oxide and blood flow. In addition to treating ED, it also has beneficial cardiovascular effects. It can improve heart muscle contractility and blood flow and can be beneficial for:

• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary artery hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus

Tadalafil can cause side effects such as headaches and flushing because of its effects on blood vessels. Alcohol can make these side effects worse, and therefore alcohol and tadalafil should not be used together.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect how tadalafil is metabolized. Grapefruit juice can decrease the metabolism of tadalafil and increase its level in the blood. Grapefruit will decrease the enzyme CYP3A4, which breaks down tadalafil and releases it in a controlled dosage in your body.

Grapefruit can take 72 hours to metabolize. Do not consume grapefruit while taking tadalafil.

Potential side effects of combining grapefruit and tadalafil:

• Redness
• Flushing
• Headache
• Vision changes
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat

Peak drug levels of phentolamine are achieved in about 15 minutes to 45 minutes. The duration of action for phentolamine is about 1 to 2 hours and the drug’s half-life is about 2 hours.