What Is Adcirca Used For?

Adcirca contains the active ingredient tadalafil and belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. It is specifically designed to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults.

Primary Uses

Adcirca is used in adults as a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a condition affecting blood vessels in the lungs.

How It Works

Adcirca works by helping the blood vessels around your lungs relax, improving the flow of blood in your lungs. The result of this is an improved ability to do physical activity.

How to Take Adcirca

Always take Adcirca exactly as your doctor has told you. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is two 20mg tablets taken once a day. You should take both tablets at the same time, one after the other. If you have a mild or moderate liver or kidney problem, your doctor may advise you to take only one 20mg tablet per day. Adcirca can be taken with or without food. Take tablets at the same time each day and swallow them whole with a glass of water.

What If You Miss a Dose?

You must take Adcirca every day. If you forget to take Adcirca, take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue to take your tablets at the usual times.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• headache or migraine
• dizziness
• indigestion
• nausea
• stomach pain
• heartburn
• back pain
• muscle pain
• sweating
• facial flushing
• bleeding nose
• nasal congestion (blocked nose)
• respiratory tract infection
• red eyes, eye pain, swelling of eyelids
• blurred vision
• skin rash, swelling of the face and hives

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Adcirca should not be used or requires special medical supervision.

Who Should Not Take Adcirca

Do not use Adcirca if you are allergic to tadalafil or any ingredients; currently taking any nitrates or medicines for angina or heart conditions; use guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat; have suffered a heart attack in the last 3 months; have vision loss in one eye because of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION); or have severe hypotension.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Check with your doctor if you have or have had: liver or kidney problems; heart problems such as angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, or previous heart attack; blood vessel problems; sickle cell anaemia; multiple myeloma; leukaemia; any deformation of the penis or unwanted erections lasting more than 4 hours; loss of vision in one or both eyes; hearing problems such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, or loss of hearing; or pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD).

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. It is not known if Adcirca will harm your unborn baby or if it passes into your breastmilk.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Adcirca and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including vitamins or supplements.

• nitrates (glyceryl trinitrate) for angina and heart conditions
• guanylate cyclase stimulators such as riociguat
• bosentan and sildenafil (other pulmonary arterial hypertension treatments)
• antibiotics such as rifampicin, erythromycin and clarithromycin
• seizure medicines such as phenytoin, phenobarbitone and carbamazepine
• antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
• HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir and saquinavir
• medicines for high blood pressure
• alpha-blockers for hypertension and prostate problems
• erectile dysfunction medicines (PDE5 inhibitors)
• grapefruit juice
• large amounts of alcohol

Alcohol & Driving

Adcirca can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.

Alcohol

When taking Adcirca with large amounts of alcohol, you may experience dizziness. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Adcirca affects you. Adcirca may cause dizziness and effects on vision.

Storage

Store below 25°C. Keep your tablets in the original pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.

Overdose Information

If you think that you have used too much Adcirca, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions