Study Finds Tadalafil Use Linked to Higher Risk of Glaucoma

An international research team examined health records of about 74,000 men aged 40 and older with lower urinary tract symptoms to assess whether prolonged use of tadalafil, a medication for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia, correlates with glaucoma incidence. The analysis compared roughly 37,000 men prescribed tadalafil with a similar cohort who did not use phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and tracked outcomes for up to five years.

The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that men taking tadalafil were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma, 32% more likely to experience elevated intra-ocular pressure, and 33% more likely to be diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.

"Glaucoma is an eye condition that especially in its early stages often does not present with visual symptoms," said Dr. Valerie Kattouf, an optometrist at the Illinois Eye Institute, who was not involved in the research. She added that comprehensive eye examinations are needed to detect early signs, particularly for individuals with a family history of glaucoma, high eye pressure, severe nearsightedness, or long-term tadalafil use.

The researchers emphasized that the observational design of the study establishes an association but cannot confirm causation, and they could not control for changes in medication use or emerging health conditions over time. They recommended that patients on long-term tadalafil, especially those with existing risk factors, consider regular eye monitoring rather than discontinuing the medication.

The study authors and Eli Lilly, the maker of Cialis, were contacted for comment.