Cialis and Exercise – Its Effects on the Body and What to Do


Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Mon Jul 10 2023)

Could there be any issues concerning the combination of Cialis and exercise? It might be a harmless combination, and there might be positives. But there are aspects you need to consider.

In this article, we’ll highlight the pros and cons of exercising while taking Cialis and provide some helpful information. Let’s start with a summary first.

Cialis and exercise? Combining Cialis and exercise can lead to a dramatic drop in blood pressure levels. Cialis treats erectile dysfunction, which results in the side effect of low blood pressure. An individual’s blood pressure can also drop immediately following exercise. This effect can be worse for Cialis users who have heart conditions.

That’s the summary, but, as always, there’s more to it than just that. So let’s get into more details.

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Cialis and Exercise

Working out on medications – tips

Before we specifically discuss Cialis, if you’re considering any type of erectile dysfunction medication, consult with your doctor first.

Keep in mind that the information here is only a general guide on Cialis and exercise.

Based on your condition, only your doctor will be able to properly advise you on the best course of action for the following factors:

  • Is working out on Cialis safe for you based on your other health conditions or medications you are taking.
  • Whether to exercise first and then take Cialis or exercise afterward.
  • Timing of the medication when exercising on Cialis.
  • The right dose when exercising on Cialis.
  • A food routine to follow with Cialis and exercise. You may be asked to eat something before working out because food can slow down the absorption of the medication.
  • The balance of intensity to work out while on Cialis. Many doctors recommend decreasing the intensity of your workout while on Cialis or to take a rest when you feel tired.

Related: Viagra and Exercise

Monitoring workout and medication effects

Your doctor may also suggest you monitor your exercise tolerance and then discuss it with the doctor to determine if the dose is working effectively and safely.

Note – At the core of exercising on Cialis or any other medication is to listen to your body. Not everyone’s body reacts in the same way. Everyone will feel effects slightly differently when it comes to how exercise and medications affect your body.

Related: Vyvanse and Exercise

Exercising while on Cialis

Patients are greatly encouraged to carefully observe and monitor their symptoms and side effects when exercising with Cialis.

The main reason one should use caution is because of the potential for a dramatic decrease in blood pressure levels.

Patients may also experience side effects such as increased heart rate, anxiety, tremors, agitation, and overheating.

Moreover, in worse cases, you can even experience a higher risk of a heart attack.

Generally, individuals will have an increase in blood pressure in the middle of an exercise. However, this can vary from person to person, and one’s blood pressure will most likely drop following a workout.

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis – which is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. As such, Cialis works by preventing the action of the chemical phosphodiesterase type 5.

This prevention helps to relax the blood vessels leading to the penis. As a result, more blood flows into the penis, supporting an erection.

The improved blood flow goes a long way toward reducing blood pressure levels because the effect of Cialis doesn’t just relax the blood vessels to the penis but throughout the body.

Even when a healthy individual takes Cialis, blood pressure will, on average, reduce. Therefore, combining this medication with your workout can result in severely low blood pressure after working out.

But the probability of such a drastic reduction in blood pressure levels tends to be more for users exercising on Cialis with existing heart conditions.

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Cialis and exercise for patients with heart conditions

Cialis and Exercise

It’s important to state that the following people should be cautious when using Cialis:

  • People aged older than 50, taking treatments or medications for heart disease or high blood pressure.
  • Those receiving treatments or medications for angina, chest pain, or other heart conditions.
  • Patients who use medications that contain nitrates because Cialis and nitrates are contradicted due to the severe hypotension that can develop.

In fact, on that last point, the FDA has warned against the use of nitrates along with erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra and Cialis.

Cialis use and heart conditions

There’s also extra caution that should be taken by Cialis users with heart conditions and those who use medications such as organic nitrates for heart conditions.

The reason for this is the way Cialis, heart conditions, and its medications react with one another.

Severely low blood pressure can ultimately deprive your heart and brain of vital oxygen. Oxygen deprivation can lead to damage, and organs may not function properly.

So, as we’ve mentioned before, Cialis relaxes the blood vessels throughout the whole body, which can cause a drop in blood pressure. Therefore those with heart conditions must use caution and always consult their doctor before taking any erectile dysfunction (ED) medications.

Similarly, nitrates are vasodilators that widen blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Nitrate-based medications are commonly prescribed for angina and other heart conditions, which also result in low blood pressure levels. Therefore, combining nitrates, Cialis, and exercise can be very dangerous and even fatal.

If you have any suspected or predetermined heart conditions or are receiving treatment for heart-related conditions, then your medications will most likely include nitrates that reduce blood pressure levels.

If you take Cialis along with nitric medications and exercise above all this, you could end up with dangerously low blood pressure.

You may be able to obtain your heart medications at a reduced cost by enrolling in our Patient Assistance Program.

Exercising on Cialis may reduce post-workout fatigue

When exercising, a number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be produced in large quantities.

Uncontrolled accumulation of ROS results in oxidative stress, which then could result in painful tissue injuries.

This is why many experience post-workout fatigue which can include pain.

In healthy clinical subjects, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) showed protective action aimed at reducing this oxidative stress. Cialis belongs to the class of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i). Studies point out that this inhibitive action that reduces oxidative stress leads to an increase in the body’s resistance to ROS.

In short, by reducing oxidative stress, the release of excess ROS is inhibited. Therefore, the painful tissue injuries that we experience as post-workout fatigue is reduced to a greater extent.

However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t always experience muscle pain or post-workout fatigue while exercising on Cialis. Doctors say that this may not necessarily be the case because the pain sensitivity of each person differs.

But still, the inhibiting activity of the active ingredient in Cialis (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) indeed increases the antioxidant capacity of your body post-workout.

Also, see our articles on Cialis and Viagra together, Cialis vs Levitra, and 6 practical tips to keep your heart healthy

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Closing

There are several aspects to take into account when it comes to Cialis and exercise.

For that reason, and as always, we recommend you seek the advice of a medical professional who can advise you based on your individual circumstances and needs.

For more questions regarding your specific condition, always consult your healthcare provider.

If you’re having trouble affording any of the medications you’ve been prescribed, visit our home page to learn more about Prescription Hope’s medication access service, compare the costs of your current prescriptions, and see how we can help obtain your medications at a cheaper price. Fill out an application today and start receiving Brand-Name prescription medications at your doorstep. Call us at 1-877-296-HOPE (4673) to speak to one of our representatives, we’re always happy to see how we can help.


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