Tadalafil vs. Cialis: What’s the Difference?

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®.

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. But are they the same? Is one better or safer?

Here, we’ll answer all your questions about tadalafil versus Cialis, starting with: Is tadalafil the same as Cialis? (Essentially, yes.)

Cialis and tadalafil are basically the same medication, as tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. 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.

What Is Tadalafil and How Does It Work?

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 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.

After all, many factors contribute to erectile dysfunction, including:

• Medical conditions like heart disease

• Illicit drug use

• Psychological causes like sexual performance anxiety

• Chronic stress

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.

How Tadalafil and Cialis Stand Out From Other ED Meds

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®).

Tadalafil also has a few uses. It can be prescribed for ED or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — also known as enlarged prostate. 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.

Yes. 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.

Put simply, one of the biggest differences between Cialis and tadalafil is branding. All Cialis is tadalafil, but not all tadalafil is Cialis.

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. A prescription is required for both.

Whether you take the brand-name medication or the generic version, your dosage will be the same. Here’s what to know:

• 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.

• 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:

• Blurred vision

• Flushing

• Diarrhea

• Indigestion

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Dizziness

• Chest pain

• Back pain

• Hives or rash

• Trouble breathing

• Headaches

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.

You should also be aware of potential drug interactions between tadalafil and other medications, supplements, or even some foods. Tadalafil interactions include:

• Nitrates (like nitroglycerin)

• Alpha-blockers

• Blood pressure medications

• CYP3A4 inhibitors

• Alcohol

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. 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.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about tadalafil and Cialis below.

Is Tadalafil as Good as Cialis?

Yes! 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.

How Long Does It Take Tadalafil to Kick In?

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.

Is Cialis or Viagra Better?

It depends on your preferences. 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.

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 share the same active ingredient. Cialis is simply the brand name for tadalafil.

• Their main difference is price. Apart from their names and packaging, the main difference between Cialis and tadalafil is price. Cialis is typically pricier than tadalafil.

• 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. Generic drugs may look different, but they’re equally effective. For instance, Hims ED hard mints contain compounded tadalafil that tastes, smells, and looks like a mint.

Wondering how tadalafil and Cialis compare to other ED drugs? Read more about these medications and others in our guide to ED treatments.

Ready to put tadalafil to the test? Talk to a healthcare professional today to see if it’s right for you.