14 CLINICAL STUDIES

The benefits of Cialis daily include increased spontaneity and less planning around sex.

Medication	Dosage Forms	Onset Time	Duration	Price (approx.)
Cialis 20mg	Tablets	30-60 minutes	Up to 36 hours	Moderate
Viagra 50mg	Tablets	30-60 minutes	4-6 hours	Moderate
Levitra 10mg	Tablets	30 minutes	4-5 hours	Slightly higher
Stendra 100mg	Tablets	15-30 minutes	6 hours	Higher

But the downside is you’ll need to remember to take the medication every day, and you may experience more persistent side effects.

• Cialis was approved by the FDA for erectile dysfunction in 2003.
• It is marketed under the brand name Cialis and as a generic tadalafil.
• The medication is available in tablet form, usually prescribed in a bottle.
• Cialis's trademark status is owned by Eli Lilly and Company.
• Proper hydration can help reduce some minor side effects.

Check out our guide to daily-use Cialis to learn more. The benefit of a higher-dose as-needed treatment like Cialis 20 mg is you don’t have to take the medication every day, so you don’t have to worry about missed doses.

Drug Label Information

Clinical trials show that Cialis is effective for various severities and types of ED, including difficult-to-treat ED. If you find Cialis 10 mg isn’t working, a 20 mg tablet might do the trick. You don’t need to take it every day. Depending on your preference and lifestyle, you may not want to take Cialis day in and day out. In fact, the 20 mg dose of Cialis should only be taken as needed.

Alternatives for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Side effects of Cialis are usually mild and should go away on their own — although they may be worse with higher doses. For example, in clinical trials, 11 percent of people taking tadalafil 10 mg got a headache, whereas 15 percent of those taking tadalafil 20 mg got a headache. Some side effects have the same likelihood in both doses, such as flushing and limb pain. If the side effects of Cialis 20 mg are too much, a healthcare provider may reduce your dose. If this is a particularly annoying side effect of other ED medications, switching to Cialis may be the answer. But the higher your dose, the more likely it is you’ll experience side effects.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Cialis Original	20mg	120 + 8 Pills	497.29€ 473.61€	Buy
Cialis Professional	40mg	30 Pills	148.94€ 141.85€	Buy
Cialis Generic	10mg	270 + 10 Pills	308.71€ 294.01€	Buy
Cialis Generic	2.5mg	360 + 10 Pills	260.03€ 247.65€	Buy
Cialis Super Active	20mg	30 + 6 Pills	128.09€ 121.99€	Buy
Cialis Black	80mg	60 + 4 Pills	150.98€ 143.79€	Buy
Cialis Original	20mg	34 + 2 Pills	183.99€ 175.23€	Buy
Cialis Generic	40mg	30 + 4 Pills	74.97€ 71.40€	Buy
Cialis Generic	2.5mg	60 + 4 Pills	83.43€ 79.46€	Buy
Cialis Generic	40mg	20 Pills	59.47€ 56.64€	Buy
Cialis Professional	40mg	120 + 4 Pills	436.68€ 415.89€	Buy
Cialis Professional	20mg	120 + 4 Pills	291.68€ 277.79€	Buy
Cialis Black	80mg	360 + 20 Pills	639.78€ 609.31€	Buy
Cialis Professional	40mg	60 + 2 Pills	262.32€ 249.83€	Buy
Cialis Black	80mg	30 + 2 Pills	89.11€ 84.87€	Buy
Cialis Professional	20mg	10 Pills	48.29€ 45.99€	Buy

A healthcare provider can recommend the best Cialis dosage for you.

Adverse Effects

Heart problems like angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), heart disease, or irregular heartbeats Heart problems like angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), heart disease, or irregular heartbeats Cialis is available in a range of doses. Here’s what they’re usually prescribed for: Cialis 2.5 mg: If you’re taking Cialis daily, you might be prescribed a 2.5 mg dose. If 2.5 mg isn’t effective and you don’t have any bothersome side effects, the dose may be increased to 5 mg. Cialis 2.5 mg: If you’re taking Cialis daily, you might be prescribed a 2.5 mg dose. Cialis 5mg: You may be prescribed a 5 mg daily dose of Cialis for BPH.

Does tadalafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

If you have both BPH and ED (the two conditions are linked), you may also get a 5 mg daily dose of Cialis. Cialis 10 mg: For an as-needed ED treatment, you’ll most likely be prescribed a 10 mg dose of Cialis to get started. A healthcare provider may then increase your dose to 20 mg or decrease it to 5 mg depending on how you react to the medication and how well it works for you. You’ll most likely only be prescribed Cialis 20 mg as an as-needed ED treatment if you’ve got on well with a 10 mg dose but found that it wasn’t working well enough for you. There are upsides and downsides to each tadalafil dosage, whether you're taking 20 mg tadalafil or a lower dose. FYI: You can’t buy Cialis over the counter.

Instructions	Details	Precautions
Dosage Timing	Once per day, at same time each day	Do not double doses
Food Interactions	Take with or without food	High-fat meals may delay absorption
Alcohol Consumption	Limit alcohol intake	Excess alcohol can increase side effects
Missed Dose	Skip missed dose, do not double

You’ll need to talk with a healthcare professional and get the ED medication prescribed (if you’re deemed eligible for treatment).

Feature	Description	Notes
Active Ingredient	Tadalafil	Used for erectile dysfunction
Dosage Strength	20 mg	Higher strength option
Typical Onset of Action	30-60 minutes	Varies with individual
Duration of Effect	Up to 36 hours	Long-lasting effect
Common Side Effects	Headache, flushing, indigestion	Usually mild

Remember that brand-name Cialis will typically cost more than tadalafil, even though the medications are the same.

7.1 Potential for Pharmacodynamic Interactions with CIALIS

It may sound great if you’re suffering from ED, but prolonged erections can be painful and cause irreversible damage to the penis. If your erection lasts more than four cialis over the counter uk hours, seek medical advice. You may be more likely to get prolonged, painful erections from Cialis if you have: Anatomic deformations in the penis (like Peyronie’s disease) Anatomic deformations in the penis (like Peyronie’s disease) There’s also a small risk of vision loss. If you notice any vision loss in one or both eyes, stop taking Cialis and seek medical help. This could be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is caused by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve.

Dosage for ED and BPH

Another serious side effect includes a sudden decrease in hearing or hearing loss. Again, get medical advice as soon as you notice this. There are also a few drug interactions you should know about. You shouldn’t take Cialis 20 mg (or any dose of the drug) at all if you’re taking nitrates. The combo can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly, resulting in dizziness, loss of consciousness, or even a heart attack or stroke. As tempting as they can be, steer clear of non-prescription Cialis substitutes. They’re not approved by the FDA, and some fake PDE5 inhibitors have been found to contain contaminants.

13.2 Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

Nitrates can be found in medications like isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate, which are used to treat prevent angina caused by heart disease. Also, watch out for recreational drugs that contain nitrates, like “poppers.” You also shouldn’t take Cialis if you take medications called guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat, which treats pulmonary hypertension. If you’re taking alpha-blockers (like doxazosin, tamsulosin, or alfuzosin) — which mainly treat high blood pressure or BPH — or CYP3A4 inhibitors (like the antibiotic erythromycin and the antifungal medication ketoconazole), which treat a wide variety of conditions, you may be prescribed a low dose of Cialis—probably not the 20 mg kind. It’s unclear whether it’s safe to take Cialis 20 mg or any dose of the drug with other PDE5 inhibitors, such as: Tell your prescribing healthcare provider about the medications or supplements you’re taking before trying Cialis. Beyond medications, watch out for how much you drink when you’re taking Cialis.

What’s the typical Cialis dosage for a 70 year old?

If you have five or more alcoholic drinks, you may experience: And a weird one to watch out for: grapefruit and Cialis. A 2020 study on rats found that grapefruit juice inhibits tadalafil metabolism — remember, that’s the active ingredient in Cialis. This can lead to you having more tadalafil in your system, which can increase your risk of side effects. You can learn more about what to avoid in our guide to tadalafil interactions. Finally, tell a healthcare provider about any medical conditions you have before taking Cialis so they can determine whether it’s safe for you. They’ve also been found to contain anywhere from zero to more than 200 percent of the labeled dose of active ingredients, the latter of which could cause serious health problems. Just one glance at the FDA’s database of tainted sexual enhancement products will show you that many contain hidden ingredients. If you’re taking Cialis 20 mg before sexual activity, take your prescribed dose at least 30 minutes to two hours before you plan on getting it on.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis compared sildenafil (the generic of Viagra) and tadalafil. It found that tadalafil caused lower rates of flushing. Muscle aches and back pain were more common in tadalafil than sildenafil, though. Overall, tadalafil and sildenafil had similar efficacy and safety, but men and their partners preferred tadalafil. You can learn more about the two ED treatments in our Cialis vs.

Other Interactions

Viagra guide. As with any medication, Cialis comes with possible side effects. The most common Cialis side effects include: Clinical trials show that most side effects are dose-dependent, meaning you’re more likely to get them with higher doses — and remember, Cialis 20 mg is the highest dose of the drug. Allergic reactions to Cialis aren’t common but they’re possible. Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat There’s also a risk of priapism or prolonged erections — we’re talking for several hours here. You don’t need to take Cialis with food. Only take Cialis once per day, max. If you plan on having sex more than once — *fist bump* — Cialis has you covered. It’s been shown to improve erectile function for up to 36 hours.

2.2 Use with Food

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate Other forms of tadalafil are used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of high blood pressure in the lungs, but Cialis is not prescribed for this condition. Cialis doses include 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. You can take Cialis on an as-needed basis and pop a pill before sex, or you can take a daily dose of Cialis so you’re always ready for action. If you’re taking it as needed, you’ll likely be prescribed 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg. The 10 mg strength is the typical starting dose, and it can be adjusted up or down depending on efficacy and side effects.

How is tadalafil supplied (dosage forms)?

But you won’t be taking 20 mg of Cialis daily. The lower doses of 2.5 mg and 5 mg are the daily doses of Cialis. For ED — which is when you struggle to get or keep an erection — Cialis works by dilating the blood vessels in the penis, which leads to a firmer erection. Cialis — 20 mg or otherwise — doesn’t just give you an erection, though. Some form of sexual stimulation is required to get hard. You can learn more about how long Cialis lasts in our guide.

• Cialis has different strengths, typically 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets.
• The starting dose for most users is 10 mg before sexual activity.
• For daily use, a lower dose like 2.5 mg or 5 mg is usually prescribed.
• Cialis should not be taken more than once per day to prevent overdose.
• Consult your healthcare provider if erections last longer than 4 hours.

If you’re taking daily Cialis, whether for ED or BPH, take your dose at roughly the same time every day.

Comparing Which Works Faster

Cialis 20 mg may be a more effective treatment for ED than the 10 mg version. Clinical trials found that 68 to 77 percent of men taking 10 mg Cialis were able to have penetrative sex with their partner. Of those taking 20 mg Cialis, 76 to 85 percent were able to have penetrative sex. But not all research agrees — a smaller daily dose may be just as effective as the as-needed Cialis treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis examined six randomized controlled trials involving more than 1,500 people and compared an as-needed tadalafil treatment to a once-a-day dose.

Mechanism of Action

The results showed that both treatments were about equally effective. While Cialis works similarly to Viagra®, Cialis lasts longer in your body. In fact, Cialis is known as the “weekend pill” for its long half-life. Because you can pop one pill and have sex whenever you like over the next 36 hours (give or take a few hours), it offers more spontaneity. In comparison, avanafil only lasts up to six hours, and Viagra only lasts up to four hours.