Potential Risks of a Common Medication

A well-known medication for enhancing bedroom performance might have risks beyond what we initially thought.

Recent research indicates that a popular erectile dysfunction drug could elevate the chances of developing a severe eye condition that may lead to permanent vision impairment.

Interestingly, you don’t even have to be using it for its intended purpose. The study looked at individuals prescribed the drug to address a typical age-related issue that impacts over half of men by the age of 60.

The medication in question is tadalafil, known widely by its brand name, Cialis. It’s part of a family of drugs called phosphodiesterase Type 5 inhibitors, or PDE5 inhibitors.

These drugs help by relaxing blood vessels, facilitating improved blood flow to the penis, thus aiding in achieving an erection.

However, tadalafil is also recognized for treating symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, which can manifest as a weak urine stream, a frequent or urgent urge to urinate, or the nagging feeling that the bladder isn’t completely empty after using the restroom.

While considered effective for both uses, previous studies have raised alarms regarding their potential impact on eye health.

Researchers at the National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei aimed to explore whether tadalafil could increase the likelihood of glaucoma—a collective term for disorders that harm the optic nerve and can ultimately lead to vision loss.

In their investigation, the team reviewed health records from almost 74,000 men aged 40 and older. About half had been utilizing tadalafil or a different PDE5 inhibitor for as long as five years for urinary issues, while the remaining participants had not used these medications.

The results revealed that men taking tadalafil were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma compared to those who had not taken a PDE5 inhibitor. If looking specifically at primary open-angle glaucoma, the most prevalent type, the risk jumped to 33%.

Furthermore, those on the medication encountered a 32% higher chance of developing ocular hypertension, which indicates elevated pressure within the eye and is a significant risk factor for glaucoma.

Notably, this potential correlation appeared independent of how long the drug was consumed, with some cases showing increased risk after just one month.

The authors of the study remarked, “Tadalafil use for [lower urinary tract symptoms] was associated with a statistically significant but modest increase in glaucoma risk.”

Yet, this doesn’t imply that men should discontinue the drug. The researchers emphasized that their study was observational, allowing them to identify a potential connection but not definitively prove that tadalafil was responsible for the heightened risk.

Nevertheless, they suggested that regular eye examinations might be wise for men using this medication, especially for those already at risk for glaucoma.

Given that around 5 million tadalafil prescriptions were penned for over 1 million men in the U.S. just in 2024, there could be a substantial number of individuals impacted.

Nationwide, glaucoma affects around 4.22 million American adults, and shockingly, nearly half are unaware they have it. This is largely because the disease often progresses without noticeable symptoms, silently damaging vision until it reaches advanced stages.

While glaucoma can be diagnosed at any age, it tends to be more prevalent as people get older and is among the leading causes of blindness for those over 60, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, and the associated vision loss is irreversible. However, early detection and treatment through prescription eye drops, oral medications, or, in some cases, surgery can help manage the disease and slow its progression.

Experts point out that understanding the risk factors is crucial—especially medications that might heighten the likelihood of developing this condition.

Common risk factors include elevated eye pressure, family history of glaucoma, substantial nearsightedness or farsightedness, prior eye injuries, and prolonged use of corticosteroids, particularly in the form of eye drops.

Individuals over 55 years old, and those of Black, Asian, or Hispanic backgrounds, have a higher risk, as do people with certain health issues, like diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anemia.