Cialis (Tadalafil) Dosage 40 mg: How Much for ED?

Cialis® is an FDA-approved erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. The usual starting dose is 10 milligrams (mg), but if you’re currently using Cialis or generic tadalafil and it’s not having the desired effect, you might have Googled “can I take tadalafil dosage 40 mg.”

The short answer is no, though high doses of tadalafil may help some non-ED conditions. To improve sexual performance, a Cialis dosage of 40 mg isn’t necessarily a “more is better” situation. While it may be tempting to take more Cialis than prescribed, it’s not safe.

You should only use prescription drugs as prescribed unless your healthcare provider advises you otherwise. Increasing your Cialis dosage could elevate your risk of experiencing serious side effects — which can be very dangerous.

We recommend sticking to your prescribed tadalafil dosage. After all, ending up in the hospital with dangerously low blood pressure would be a real mood-killer — not to mention a serious medical concern.

Fortunately, if your Cialis dosage isn’t working, there are a number of (safe) steps you can take to address it.

Let’s look at the safety risks of using a tadalafil dosage of 40 mg, explore alternative treatments for erectile dysfunction, and go over steps you can take for a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

No, it’s not safe to take 40 mg of tadalafil unless your prescribing medical provider specifically told you to do so. A Cialis overdose can lead to severe side effects, and a 40-mg dose won’t necessarily improve your erectile function more than your prescribed dose.

To understand why, let’s go over the basics of tadalafil.

How Cialis and Tadalafil Dosing Works

Cialis is a unique erectile dysfunction treatment because there are two ways to use it. You can take it on an as-needed basis 30 minutes to two hours before sexual activity or as a once-a-day pill — usually a 2.5- or 5-mg daily dose.

Often called the “weekend pill,” Cialis lasts roughly 36 hours — making it a little easier to have spontaneous sex.

If I take tadalafil at 40 mg, how long does it last? You may not be able to find out since you could be dealing with a sudden drop in blood pressure or another decidedly non-sexy condition.

Tadalafil may be used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition characterized by an enlarged prostate gland. It’s sometimes prescribed for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a type of high blood pressure affecting the arteries in the lungs. This medication may even help treat ureteral stones (kidney stones in the ureter).

Your prescribed dosage will depend on how you use tadalafil and what you use it for:

• If you’re using Cialis for erectile dysfunction on an as-needed basis, the starting dose is usually 10 mg. This can be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg.

• If you’re taking daily-use Cialis for ED, the standard dosage is 2.5 mg, although it can be increased to 5 mg. 

• If you’re using Cialis for BPH, the recommended dose is 5 mg a day.

• If you’re using tadalafil for PAH, the standard dose is 40 mg. Tadalafil for PAH is sold under a different brand name, Adcirca®. A generic version of Adcirca is also available.

Currently, Cialis is available in 2.5-, 5-, 10-, and 20-mg tablets.

As noted, you won’t necessarily get more out of a 40-mg Cialis dosage than what’s been prescribed to you for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

To explain why, let’s quickly go over how erections work. When you’re aroused, your brain sends signals to your body to increase blood flow to your penis and allow the arteries there to widen and fill with blood. This leads to an erection, which is when the fun begins!

But if you’re not turned on, or if there’s an issue with your blood vessels that prevents them from dilating (widening) properly, it’ll be harder to get an erection — pun not intended.

Drugs like Cialis are known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors work by blocking the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, which can interfere with blood vessel dilation. This helps improve blood flow to penile tissues.

It’s important to remember that erectile dysfunction drugs don’t automatically give you an erection. They just make it so you can get hard and stay hard once you’re aroused.

Whether or not Cialis works depends on the cause of your erectile dysfunction. Many factors can contribute to ED, including:

• Using certain drugs (prescription and illicit)

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Poor diet

• Blood flow issues

• Hormone imbalances

So, for example, if you’re struggling to get an erection because you’re too anxious to feel turned on, Cialis might not help — no matter what dosage you take.

Cialis is generally safe for most people, but there are potential side effects to be aware of.

Common side effects of tadalafil include:

• Headache

• Indigestion (upset stomach or constipation)

• Flushing

• Muscle pain 

• Pain in limbs

• Back pain

• Nasal congestion

Much less common (but way more serious) side effects can include:

• Allergic reaction 

• Sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension) if taken with certain other medications

• Chest pain (angina)

• Hearing loss

• Loss of vision

• Priapism, a painful condition where an erection lasts over four hours

If you have any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately.

Tadalafil Dosage 40 mg Drug Interactions

Taking 40 mg of Cialis is even riskier if you mix it with certain other drugs, foods, or supplements.

Common tadalafil drug interactions can happen when combining the medication with:

• Other PDE5 inhibitors

• Nitrates like nitroglycerin

• Grapefruit (or grapefruit juice), which can affect how the liver processes certain drugs

• Some blood pressure medications, including alpha-blockers 

• Certain antifungal and antibiotic medications, like ketoconazole and clarithromycin

You should never mix these drugs with tadalafil without discussing it first with a healthcare provider. But it’s extra dangerous if you mix them with a higher dose of tadalafil.

The side effects of Cialis can happen at any dosage — but higher dosages can equal a higher risk for drug interactions.

Now you know why taking too much Cialis can be dangerous and ineffective — but what can you do if your Cialis dosage isn’t working? Here are a few strategies to consider.

Make Sure You’re Using Cialis Properly

Before anything else, it’s vital to ensure you’re using your medication properly. This will help you get the maximum effect from Cialis.

As mentioned, Cialis can either be taken as needed before having sex or on a daily basis. If you’re taking it as needed, take it at least 30 minutes (and up to two hours) before sex to give it time to kick in. Also, if 36 hours have passed since you took your last dose, you might find it more difficult to get an erection.

Keep forgetting to take your meds? Setting an alarm on your phone will alert you when to take your medication each day, plus you’ll know exactly how long it’s been since your last dose.

Consider Psychological Factors That Can Cause ED

Mental health can directly affect physical health. And just as anxiety can cause your stomach to tense up, psychological factors can contribute to ED.

A 2023 study in BMC Psychology found that up to 65 percent of men ages 18 to 60 suffer from depression. The researchers noted that “individualized psychological support” and managing controllable risk factors should be priorities.

Issues like general anxiety, depression, and sexual performance anxiety can affect erectile function. This can have a circular effect: Erectile dysfunction can, in turn, cause stress and anxiety as well as relationship issues.

In-person or online therapy can help you get ahead of psychological ED. Not only can therapy help you get to the root of your erectile dysfunction, but it can also teach you a range of skills to thrive in many areas of your life. Worth the investment, right?

Be Aware of Pre-Existing Health Conditions That Can Cause ED

Dealing with the root cause of ED can be key to improving erectile function. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by pre-existing medical conditions, from cardiovascular disease to autoimmune conditions.  

For instance, ED could be a symptom or result of:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease or blood vessel disease

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Chronic kidney disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)

• Peyronie’s disease (scar tissue buildup in the penis)

• Injury from prostate cancer treatment

• Surgery for bladder cancer

• Injury to the pelvis, genitals, or erectile tissues

• Neurological problems, such as injuries that damage the nervous system, diabetic neuropathy (diabetes-induced nerve damage), or epilepsy

Erectile dysfunction might be your body’s way of telling you to get that overdue check-up. Be on the lookout for sudden ED and temporary ED, both of which could be a sign to make an appointment with a healthcare professional.

Talk to a Healthcare Provider About Your Tadalafil Dosage

Sometimes, your prescription does need to be adjusted — but if that’s the case, you’ll need to speak to your healthcare provider.

For on-demand usage, a starting tadalafil dosage is typically 10 mg. A healthcare professional might increase your dosage to 20 mg if the 10-mg dose isn’t effective. They could also decrease the prescription to 5 mg if you’re experiencing side effects.

If you’re using Cialis daily, you’ll probably be prescribed 2.5 mg or 5 mg.

Everybody’s tolerance is different. While some people can take 20 mg of Cialis without issues, others might find that 5 mg causes unbearable side effects.

You may have options for increasing your tadalafil dosage — but it’s really crucial to get medical advice instead of figuring it out on your own.

Try a Different ED Medication

Quite a few PDE5 inhibitors can be used to treat erectile dysfunction. If Cialis isn’t working for you, a different medication could yield better results.

Other ED medications include:

• Sildenafil, better known by the brand name Viagra® 

• Stendra® (avanafil)

• Vardenafil (Levitra®)

You could also try our hard mints. These chewable ED meds contain the same active ingredients as brand-name pills in safe, effective amounts. 

Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Healthy lifestyle changes can benefit your body and mind in more ways than one. There are many natural ways to protect erectile function, which you could try instead of or alongside Cialis.

Some top tips include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight

• Reducing alcohol use

• Quitting smoking

• Avoiding illicit drug use

• Exercising regularly 

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet

• Getting enough sleep (and addressing sleep disorders like insomnia or sleep apnea)

• Managing stress in a healthy way

Instilling healthy habits can be overwhelming, especially if many aspects of your life need improvement. You could start by identifying one or two habits you’d like to work on and gradually work toward a more comprehensive lifestyle change.

Can I take 40mg of Cialis? Taking 40 mg of Cialis may be tempting, especially if your current dose isn’t working. But it’s vital to take medications as prescribed — increasing your Cialis dosage without medical supervision can be very dangerous.

Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re considering taking a tadalafil dosage of 40 mg:

• Higher dosage equals higher risk. Taking 40 mg of tadalafil is exceeding the maximum dose for ED. The more Cialis you take, the more likely you are to experience adverse effects — including some really serious side effects, like priapism.

• And it won’t necessarily be more effective. Not only is 40 mg of tadalafil dangerous, but it might not actually work better than your prescribed dosage. Remember, Cialis doesn’t automatically give you an erection.

• The good news? There are other treatment options. If Cialis isn’t working, speak with a healthcare professional about changing your dosage or trying other erectile dysfunction medications. Healthy lifestyle changes — with or without Cialis — can also improve your erections.

If you’d like to change your Cialis dosage or try a different ED treatment, consult a healthcare provider. Remember, you have options.

When you’re ready to take that step, we can put you in touch with a licensed professional through our telehealth platform.