READ MORE: Simple oral rinse may catch deadly cancer rising in young peopleSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ALEXA LARDIERI, US HEALTH EDITOR Published: 14:17 BST, 26 August 2026 | Updated: 14:32 BST, 26 August 2026
A popular drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and symptoms of an enlarged prostate may increase the risk of a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness.Tadalafil, the active ingredient in the brand name erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can gradually cause vision loss.Researchers analyzed the health records of nearly 74,000 men 40 years and older with lower urinary tract symptoms. Along with erectile dysfunction, tadalafil is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate, to help relieve urinary symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, weak urine stream, and frequent urination.The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, compared men prescribed the drug to men who did not take it and followed them for five years to determine if they had developed glaucoma or increased pressure inside the eye, which can also lead to vision problems.Researchers found men on tadalafil were 22 percent more likely to develop glaucoma than men who did not take the drug. Along with erectile dysfunction, tadalafil is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate (stock image)
