A new study is drawing attention to a possible link between tadalafil, a common medication for erectile dysfunction (ED), and glaucoma. Tadalafil is best known by its brand name Cialis. It belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
Researchers recently studied more than 73,000 men age 40 and older and followed them for up to five years. About half took tadalafil, while the other half did not use a PDE5 inhibitor. The study found that men taking tadalafil had a 22% higher relative risk of developing glaucoma during the five-year study period.
The actual difference was fairly small. Glaucoma developed in about 3.93% of tadalafil users compared with 3.16% of men who did not take a PDE5 inhibitor. Tadalafil was also associated with higher rates of ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma and the need to begin glaucoma treatment.
It is important to understand what this study does and does not tell us. This was an observational study, so it found an association between tadalafil use and glaucoma. It does not prove that tadalafil causes glaucoma. More research is needed to understand whether there is a direct connection.
What About Other ED Medications?
Tadalafil is not the only PDE5 inhibitor used to treat ED. Other commonly prescribed options include Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil) and Stendra (avanafil). These medications work in similar ways, but they have different dosing schedules, durations of action and potential side effects.
The new study specifically examined tadalafil, so these results should not automatically be applied to every ED medication.
What Should You Do?
If you take Cialis or another ED medication, there is no reason to panic. The study does not recommend that men stop taking tadalafil, and it does not establish that the medication causes glaucoma.
However, it is important to tell your eye doctor about all prescription medications you take. Regular comprehensive eye examinations can help detect glaucoma early, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure or other risk factors.
As always, decisions about ED medications should be made with your prescribing physician. Your eye doctor and primary care provider can work together to help protect both your vision and your overall health.
If you have questions about glaucoma risk or your medications, please discuss them with your eye doctor at your next eye examination.