Cialis Works for Most but Not All Men

Generic drugs may look different, but they’re equally effective.

Contraindication	Explanation	Alternatives
Use with Nitrates	Can cause severe hypotension	Seek alternative treatments
Severe Cardiovascular Disease	Risk of adverse cardiac events	Consult cardiologist
Uncontrolled Hypertension	Can increase risk of complications	Manage hypertension first
Hypersensitivity to Tadalafil	Allergic reactions possible	Alternative meds

For instance, Hims ED hard mints contain compounded tadalafil that tastes, smells, and looks like a mint.

The drug Cialis is popular because you can take it every day. But should you?

Put simply, one of the biggest differences between Cialis and tadalafil is branding. Two names exist because Cialis is a trademark of the drug manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. Though tadalafil was approved by the FDA in 2003 and sold exclusively as Cialis by Eli Lilly, the patent expired in 2018. This allowed other companies to begin selling the generic drug. As of 2024, neither tadalafil nor Cialis is available as an over-the-counter drug.

US Brand Name

Whether you take the brand-name medication or the generic version, your dosage will be the same. Treating ED and treating benign prostatic hyperplasia require different tadalafil dosages. For BPH, tadalafil is prescribed at a daily lower dose of 5 milligrams (mg). A higher Cialis dosage — usually 10 milligrams — is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as needed before sex. A 20-milligram Cialis dose can also be used as needed for erectile dysfunction.

How does tadalafil work?

A daily 5 milligram dose can be used for erectile dysfunction for guys with more frequent or more spontaneous needs. While generic drugs have the same benefits as their brand-name counterparts, they also have the same possible risks, drug interactions, and side effects. Any medication, brand name or generic, can cause side effects. If you’re taking these medications for ED, you may want to be on the lookout for the common side effects of Cialis: And while a prolonged erection may sound like a dream come true, no erection should last more than four hours. If your erection is sticking around past this timeline (a condition called priapism), seek medical advice from a healthcare professional immediately. Wondering how tadalafil and Cialis compare tadalafil 40mg to other ED drugs?

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Cialis Generic	20mg	180 + 10 Pills	254.09€ 241.99€	Buy
Cialis Generic	60mg	10 Pills	41.22€ 39.26€	Buy
Cialis Generic	2.5mg	120 + 6 Pills	128.93€ 122.79€	Buy
Cialis Generic	60mg	180 + 10 Pills	313.11€ 298.20€	Buy
Cialis Generic	5mg	90 + 6 Pills	115.91€ 110.39€	Buy
Cialis Generic	60mg	60 + 4 Pills	145.06€ 138.15€	Buy
Cialis Generic	20mg	120 + 8 Pills	188.15€ 179.19€	Buy
Tadalista Super Active	20mg	180 + 20 Pills	521.59€ 496.75€	Buy
Cialis Generic	40mg	30 + 4 Pills	74.97€ 71.40€	Buy
Cialis Generic	10mg	90 + 6 Pills	146.17€ 139.21€	Buy
Cialis Generic	20mg	60 + 6 Pills	117.76€ 112.15€	Buy
Cialis Generic	40mg	20 Pills	59.47€ 56.64€	Buy
Cialis Generic	10mg	10 Pills	31.41€ 29.91€	Buy
Cialis Generic	2.5mg	60 + 4 Pills	83.43€ 79.46€	Buy
Tadalista Super Active	20mg	60 + 8 Pills	230.32€ 219.35€	Buy
Cialis Generic	20mg	90 + 6 Pills	154.71€ 147.34€	Buy
Cialis Generic	60mg	20 Pills	65.61€ 62.49€	Buy

Read more about these medications and others in our guide to ED treatments.

What You Need to Know:

The effects of Cialis stick around for up to 36 hours, whereas Viagra only lasts four to six hours. So if you want to take just one ED pill and not have to time the dose with planned sexual activity, Cialis (or generic tadalafil) might be the better option. In a world full of choices, you want to make sure you’re making the best ones, especially when it comes to your health. For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, you’re lucky to have several choices, including tadalafil and Cialis. While you may not want to bargain shop for certain purchases like new tires or a mattress, there are no differences in quality between generic tadalafil and brand-name Cialis. Talk to a healthcare professional today to see if it’s right for you.

Society and culture

They’re equally effective in treating erectile dysfunction, last the same amount of time, and carry the same risk of side effects. The main difference is that Cialis is a brand name, which usually makes it more expensive than its generic version, tadalafil. Both tadalafil and Cialis belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors), which were initially developed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). These drugs block sublingual tadalafil the PDE5 enzyme, widening blood vessels and improving blood flow to the penis with sexual stimulation. This results in firmer, longer-lasting erections, no matter what’s causing ED symptoms.

High blood pressure or prostate drugs (alpha-blockers)

After all, many factors contribute to erectile dysfunction, including: Tadalafil and Cialis are ED pills that can be taken daily or just before sex to improve erectile function, regardless of whether your ED is mental or physical. Although tadalafil received FDA approval later than similar ED medications, its ability to be taken daily or on-demand quickly made it a popular choice. Another unique aspect is tadalafil’s duration. The medication can support erections for up to 36 hours, much longer than other PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil citrate (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®), or avanafil (Stendra®). It can be prescribed for ED or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — also known as enlarged prostate.

Oral antifungal drugs

Cialis and tadalafil are typically taken daily for BPH treatment or right before sexual activity for ED — but you can take them daily for ED as well. Daily Cialis and as-needed tadalafil before sex are similarly effective for treating ED, according to a 2017 review. If you’re wondering about differences in effectiveness between tadalafil and Cialis, there are none. Since their chemical content is identical, any study on the efficacy of tadalafil can also be considered a study on Cialis. That’s because generic medications are required to be the same as their brand-name drugs in dosage, efficacy, strength, and safety, as well as how the medication is taken. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the management of erectile dysfunction.

Alternative medication therapies

Here’s what to remember about tadalafil versus Cialis: Tadalafil and Cialis are essentially the same drug. Tadalafil and Cialis are the same in efficacy, side effects, and duration because they both contain tadalafil. Cialis is simply the brand name for tadalafil. Tadalafil and Cialis are essentially the same drug. Apart from their names and packaging, the main difference between Cialis and tadalafil is price. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

• Tadalafil works best when taken approximately 30-60 minutes before sex.
• Sexual stimulation is necessary for the medication to work.
• The drug's effect lasts longer than other ED pills like sildenafil.
• Tadalafil may be part of combination therapy if needed.
• Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider during treatment.

Efficacy and safety of tadalafil once-a-day versus tadalafil on-demand in patients with erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Reaction	Number of Cases	Severity	Comments
Priapism (prolonged erection)	Rare	Severe	Needs emergency treatment
Vision disturbances	Few reports	Variable	Blue tint or blurred vision
Hearing loss	Rare	Severe	Sudden deafness reported in some cases
Cardiac events	Very rare	Severe	Chest pain, arrhythmia, requires immediate medical attention

Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research.

Cialis Stops Working Well Maybe a Sign of Worsening Vascular Disease

Choosing between them is a personal choice. Both tadalafil and Cialis are great choices for ED and can be taken either daily or as needed before sex. Choosing between them is a matter of preference. Generic works the same as the name brand. Some people stick with brand names because they’re familiar with the product (including how it looks or tastes) or because the generic isn’t available. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.

Interaction Partner	Effect on Tadalafil	Notes
Nitrates	Dangerous hypotension	Absolute contraindication
Alpha-blockers	Increased hypotension	Use with caution, start low dosage
CYP3A4 Inhibitors	Increased Tadalafil levels	Reduce dose to prevent adverse effects
Grapefruit Juice	Raises plasma levels	Avoid or limit intake
Rifampin	Decreases efficacy	Monitor and adjust dosage as needed

She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.

What side effects can this medication cause?

You should also be aware of potential drug interactions between tadalafil and other medications, supplements, or even some foods. These can increase your risk of experiencing serious side effects or affect how well the medication works. Besides their names (and the boxes they come in), another big difference between the two is the price. Generic medicines typically cost less than brand-name drugs because generic versions don’t have to repeat the costly studies required to prove safety and efficacy. The cost of tadalafil can vary depending on the dosage you use.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

But the average price for a 5-milligram tablet is $1 to $8, while a 10-milligram tablet may be anywhere from $1 to $25, sometimes more. If you’re taking the brand name, the price of Cialis can range from $12 to upwards of $70 per tablet, depending on the specific dosage. Monthly costs range from $380 to $1,000 or more. These prices can also depend on where you buy the medication, your insurance, and several other factors. Deciding which generic Cialis is the best usually comes down to which generic Cialis is the most accessible and affordable for you.

Cialis for ED and BPH

Find answers to frequently asked questions about tadalafil and tadalafil weekend pill Cialis below. Tadalafil is the generic version and active ingredient in Cialis. They work the same in terms of treating erectile dysfunction, and tadalafil is considered just as good as Cialis. In most cases, tadalafil will take 30 minutes to an hour to kick in after taking the tablet. But that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be hard once it takes effect — you still have to be sexually stimulated (mentally or physically) to get an erection. Dr.

How should I take Cialis?

Mixing these medications can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and a higher risk of side effects. When used alone, Cialis may cause small reductions in blood pressure, but if used with nitrates or guanylate cyclase stimulators like riociguat (brand name: Adempas) your blood pressure may dangerously drop. Do not use these drugs with Cialis. You could get dizzy, faint, or have a heart attack or stroke. Cialis vs Viagra - What's the difference between them?

Special dosage considerations

Why does Cialis take at least 12-14 hours to work? Is taking Cialis 40 mg daily safe? Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Cialis only for the indication prescribed. Be ready for sex whenever you're in the mood Dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) can be, well, hard — just ask the 30 million affected men in the United States. But choosing the right treatment can be even harder, which brings us to tadalafil versus Cialis®.

Taking Cialis with food

If you’ve been exploring ED medications, you’ve likely come across Cialis and the generic drug tadalafil. Both are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and routinely prescribed for ED. Here, we’ll answer all your questions about tadalafil versus Cialis, starting with: Is tadalafil the same as Cialis? Cialis and tadalafil are basically the same medication, as tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management.

• Storage in its original container protects the medication from light and helps maintain its potency.
• Taking tadalafil with water is sufficient; no other liquids are required for administration.
• If an erection lasts longer than 4 hours, seek immediate emergency medical attention.