FORZEST (Tadalafil) is an effective treatment for ED regardless of the cause or duration of the problem or the age of the patient. This section takes you through how FORZEST works, its side effects and the dosage that is right for you.

What is Forzest? Launched by Ranbaxy, FORZEST is a tablet used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction get and sustain an erection when they are sexually excited. One does not get an erection just by taking this medicine. FORZEST helps a man with erectile dysfunction get an erection only when he is sexually excited.

How does it work? Under normal circumstances, when a man is sexually stimulated, the penis fills up with blood. When erectile dysfunction occurs, enough blood does not flow to cause an erection. FORZEST, with Tadalafil, relaxes the penile blood vessels when a man is sexually stimulated. This allows blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. The erection subsides after sex, just as it is supposed to in normal conditions.

Please understand that FORZEST is not a hormone or aphrodisiac, it works only when a man is sexually stimulated.

In how much time does it work? Take FORZEST about one hour before you plan to have sex. Beginning in about 30 minutes and lasts for up to 36 hours, FORZEST can help you get an erection if you are sexually excited. If you take FORZEST after a high-fat meal (such as pav bhaji, cheeseburger and french fries), the medicine may take a little longer to start working. FORZEST can help you get an erection when you are sexually excited. You will not get an erection just by taking the pill.

Who should take Forzest? Ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. If you take any medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take FORZEST. If you take FORZEST with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke.

Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as: nitro-glycerine (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth) isosorbide mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in the mouth) Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). If you are not sure if any of your medicines contain nitrates, or if you do not understand what nitrates are, ask your doctor or pharmacist. FORZEST is only for patients with erectile dysfunction. FORZEST is not for newborns, children, or women.

Do not let anyone else take your FORZEST. FORZEST must be used only under a doctor's supervision.

The right dosage

Use in adult men: The recommended dose is 10 mg taken prior to anticipated sexual activity and without regard to food. In those patients in whom FORZEST 10 mg does not produce an adequate effect, 20 mg might be tried. Tadalafil may improve erectile function up to 36 hours following dosing. Therefore, when advising patients on optimal use of FORZEST, this should be taken into consideration. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Daily use of the medication is strongly discouraged because the long-term safety after prolonged daily dosing has not been established.

Use in elderly men: Dosage adjustments are not required in elderly patients.

Use in men with impaired renal function: No dose adjustment is required in patients with mild renal insufficiency. For patients with moderate (creatinine clearance 31 to 50 mL/min) renal insufficiency, a starting dose of 5 mg not more than once daily is recommended, and the maximum dose should be limited to 10 mg not more than once in every 48 hours. For patients with severe (creatinine clearance