Tadalafil is used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotence) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Part of the physiological process of erection involves the release of nitric oxide (NO) in the corpus cavernosum. This then activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), leading to smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in increased inflow of blood and an erection. Tadalafil is a potent and selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum. This means that, with tadalafil on board, normal sexual stimulation leads to increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum which leads to better erections. Without sexual stimulation and no activation of the NO/cGMP system, tadalafil should not cause an erection.Tadalafil inhibits the cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum located around the penis. Penile erection during sexual stimulation is caused by increased penile blood flow resulting from the relaxation of penile arteries and corpus cavernosal smooth muscle. This response is mediated by the release of nitric oxide (NO) from nerve terminals and endothelial cells, which stimulates the synthesis of cGMP in smooth muscle cells. Cyclic GMP causes smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow into the corpus cavernosum. The inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) by tadalafil enhances erectile function by increasing the amount of cGMP. Tadalafil is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

(6S ,12AS)-Tadalafil is an inactive enantiomer of "Tadalafil" which is the active ingredient in Cialis which is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil has 4 isomers [(RR), (SS), (RS), and (SR)], of which (RR) is the name-sake isomer and potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5. The (RS) diastereomer is the only other isomer with some PDE-5 inhibitory activity.

(6S ,12AR)-Tadalafil is an inactive diastereomer of "Tadalafil" which is the active ingredient in Cialis which is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil has 4 isomers [(RR), (SS), (RS), and (SR)], of which (RR) is the name-sake isomer and potent inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-5. The (RS) diastereomer is the only other isomer with some PDE-5 inhibitory activity.