This guide explains the common, mild, moderate, and serious side effects of erectile dysfunction medication.
Most side effects from ED medications are mild to moderate and improve as your body adjusts to treatment. However, some symptoms can be serious and require urgent medical attention.
Use this guide to understand:
Common side effects of ED medications
What mild or moderate side effects may feel like
Which serious side effects need urgent care
When to contact MedExpress clinical support
When to call emergency services
What are the most common side effects of ED medications?
Common side effects of ED medications may include:
Headache
Flushing, which may feel like warmth or redness in the face, neck, or chest
Indigestion or heartburn
Stuffy or runny nose
Dizziness
Back pain, which is more common with tadalafil
Muscle aches, which are more common with tadalafil
These side effects are usually:
Mild to moderate
Temporary
More noticeable when you first start ED treatment
More noticeable after a dose change
What counts as mild or moderate side effects?
Mild or moderate side effects are symptoms that:
Do not stop you from carrying out normal daily activities
Improve on their own, usually within a few hours
Can often be managed with simple measures, such as hydration, rest, or over-the-counter pain relief
Examples of mild or moderate ED medication side effects include:
Mild headache
Temporary facial flushing
Slight indigestion
Mild nasal congestion
Mild muscle aches
Mild back pain
Mild or moderate side effects are expected for some people during ED treatment and do not usually require stopping the medication.
If mild or moderate side effects are bothering you, MedExpress clinical support can help review your treatment and advise whether a dose adjustment or medication change may be appropriate.
Are there serious side effects I should watch for?
Yes. Some ED medication side effects require immediate medical attention.
Stop taking your ED medication and seek urgent medical care if you experience any of the serious symptoms listed below.
Priapism — an erection lasting more than 4 hours
Priapism is a prolonged erection that does not go away.
Seek emergency medical help immediately if you have:
An erection lasting more than 4 hours
An erection that is painful
An erection that will not go away
Priapism is a medical emergency. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly.
Go to your nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately.
Sudden vision changes
Stop taking your ED medication and contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience:
Sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
Blurred vision
Changes in colour vision
Any sudden or unusual vision change
Sudden vision changes after taking ED medication need urgent medical advice.
Sudden hearing changes
Stop taking your ED medication and contact a healthcare professional immediately if you experience:
Sudden decrease in hearing
Sudden loss of hearing
Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus
Any sudden or unusual hearing change
Sudden hearing changes after taking ED medication need urgent medical advice.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction
A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening.
Call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department if you experience:
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face
Skin rash or hives
Severe dizziness
Feeling faint or collapsing
Do not take another dose of ED medication if you think you may be having an allergic reaction.
Cardiovascular symptoms
Stop sexual activity and seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience:
Chest pain during or after sexual activity
Severe dizziness
Fainting
Irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Symptoms that feel like a heart problem
If you experience chest pain after taking ED medication, do not take nitrates.
Call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.
What should I do if I experience serious side effects?
If you experience serious symptoms after taking ED medication:
Stop taking the ED medication.
Call 911 immediately, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Do not take another dose unless a healthcare professional tells you it is safe.
Tell the emergency medical team which ED medication you took and when you took it.
MedExpress cannot provide emergency care. Urgent or severe symptoms must be handled by emergency medical services.
Can MedExpress help with side effects?
Yes. MedExpress provides ongoing clinical support through online messaging if you have questions about ED medication side effects or treatment.
MedExpress clinical support can help with:
Managing mild or moderate side effects
Reviewing whether your side effects are expected
Adjusting your dose if side effects are bothersome
Deciding whether to continue ED treatment
Deciding whether switching ED medication may be appropriate
Providing general clinical guidance about your treatment
What can MedExpress not help with?
MedExpress cannot provide emergency medical care.
MedExpress cannot:
Diagnose emergencies in real time
Treat severe allergic reactions
Treat chest pain or heart-related symptoms in real time
Treat priapism in real time
Replace emergency medical services
For urgent or severe symptoms, always use emergency medical services.
When should I contact MedExpress clinical support?
Contact MedExpress clinical support if:
Your side effects are mild or moderate but bothering you
Your side effects are not improving
You are unsure whether a symptom is expected
You want to discuss changing your dose
You want to discuss switching ED medication
You have questions about continuing treatment
If your symptoms are severe, sudden, or urgent, do not wait for an online reply from MedExpress. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Need more help?
If you still need help after reading this information, please contact MedExpress customer support for further assistance.