João, 27 years old, has always been healthy and goes to the gym five times a week. On a social network, he saw an influencer claiming that a tadalafil tablet before training made the muscles "more swollen" and the workout "more intense". Without a prescription, without an exam, without talking to any doctor, he bought the medication and started using it before training. Weeks later, in the middle of a squatting set, he felt severe dizziness, blurred vision, and almost fainted.
Stories like this have become increasingly common in Brazilian gyms. And that's what we're going to talk about today.
"The data and clinical case cited in this article are fictional and are for illustrative purposes only, serving to facilitate understanding of the topic addressed."
What is tadalafil and what is it used for
Tadalafil is the medication popularly known as the "erectile dysfunction pill", also sold under other brand names. It was created to treat erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate in older men, and in very specific cases, a type of high blood pressure that affects the lungs.
Put simply: this medication relaxes the wall of blood vessels, causing them to open a bit more and allow more blood to pass through. That's why it works for erections. And it's precisely this effect of "opening the vessels" that gave rise to the idea, without any scientific evidence, that it could also help with training.
Why people started using it as a pre-workout
The idea behind this trend is simple, but wrong: since the medication opens blood vessels, many people imagined that it would also increase the blood reaching the muscles during training, leaving the body with that more "full" and swollen appearance, the famous pump. This effect on appearance, combined with the rush for quick results and the pressure for a perfect body on social media, led young and healthy adults, with no erectile problems, to start taking the medication on their own.
The growth in sales reinforces the trend. Anvisa data shows a significant jump in medication sales between 2024 and 2025, with double-digit growth in just one year. A significant portion of this consumption comes from people with no clinical indication for the medication.
What science really says about physical performance
Here's the most important point of this text: there is no scientific evidence that tadalafil makes you stronger, with more endurance or with more muscle. Studies conducted with healthy people found no real improvement in training with the use of the medication before exercise. That "pump" sensation that some people feel is just temporary swelling from vessel dilation, not a real gain.
In other words: the supposed benefit is just appearance, lasts a short time, and comes with real risks that wouldn't exist if the medication were used correctly, with a prescription and monitoring by a doctor.
The real risks of using tadalafil as a pre-workout
Taking a medication that opens blood vessels during heavy training, without any medical evaluation, puts your body at real risk. See what can happen:
- Blood pressure drop: can cause dizziness, feeling faint, or even actual fainting, which is even more dangerous in the middle of intense exercise.
- Accelerated and overloaded heart: to compensate for the blood pressure drop, the heart needs to work faster, just when it's already working hard because of the training.
- Vision problems: blurred vision or light sensitivity, which is also dangerous when you're holding weight.
- Chest pain: a serious warning sign. If this happens, you need to seek medical attention immediately.
- Erection that won't go away (priapism): when an erection lasts longer than four hours and doesn't go away on its own, it's a medical emergency. If not treated quickly, it can cause permanent damage.
- Dangerous combination with other medications: mixing tadalafil with chest pain medications (nitrates) can cause a dangerous, sudden drop in blood pressure. It can also interact poorly with blood pressure medications, anti-inflammatories, and some antibiotics.
People with serious heart problems, who have had a heart attack or stroke recently, or who are already taking chest pain medication, cannot use tadalafil at all. This shows why this decision should never be made alone, without a doctor evaluating the case.
Who can actually use tadalafil
Tadalafil is a safe medication when used correctly, and this depends on an individual evaluation, made by a doctor. It may be indicated, for example, for men with erectile dysfunction or with an enlarged prostate, always after a consultation, with your medical history analyzed and the correct dose for each person. The problem is not the medication itself, but using it on your own, copying what you see on the internet, without knowing if your body is prepared for it.
What to use as a pre-workout in a healthy way
If the idea is to train with more energy and focus, there are simple and proven ways to do this, without putting your health at risk:
- Caffeine, in the right amount, is one of the most studied substances for providing more energy and motivation during training.
- Beets and dark leafy greens have a natural effect similar to opening blood vessels, and help performance during exercise.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after training.
- Eat well before training, with carbohydrates for energy and protein to help the muscle.
- Sleep well, something many people forget, but it makes all the difference in performance and body recovery.
These choices deliver much of the effect that people are looking for, without the risks of taking a medication that shouldn't be used that way.
When to seek medical guidance
If you already use or are thinking about using tadalafil as a pre-workout, or if you've already felt dizziness, chest pain, vision changes, or any discomfort after using it, the right path is to talk to a doctor before making any decision. A telemedicine consultation allows evaluation of your medical history, identification of contraindications, and guidance on the best way to achieve your training goals safely, without relying on internet trends.
This content is exclusively informational in nature and does not replace medical consultation. Do not use any medication on your own, especially for purposes different from those approved in the package insert. Always seek guidance from a health professional before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
Dr. Rebeca Soares Andrade CRM - GO 39335