Should You Take Daily ED Medication?

The most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) medications are phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme (PDE5) inhibitors like Viagra® (sildenafil). You typically take them as needed before sex. 

But if waiting 30 minutes to an hour for a pill to kick in feels like a mood-killer, a daily option like Cialis® (tadalafil) might be a better fit to treat erectile dysfunction.

Taking ED medication daily allows for more spontaneity, but not all ED meds are approved for daily use. Only certain medications at specific doses are approved for this purpose.

Below, we break down which ED medications work for daily use and how to take them to support a more spontaneous sex life.

Yes, you can absolutely take certain types of ED medication daily. Doctors regularly prescribe brand name Cialis and generic tadalafil for safe daily use.

Cialis’s active ingredient, tadalafil (which can also help treat an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia), is an ED medication that you can take daily at lower doses

While Viagra, Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil) are proven on-demand ED meds, Cialis is effective for both daily and as-needed use. 

Many placebo-controlled and randomized studies over the years have shown that daily tadalafil is an effective treatment for ED.

We already mentioned that daily Cialis accommodates more spontaneous sex, but what does that mean exactly? 

If planning your intimate moments feels like a hassle, daily ED medication could be a welcome solution. It gives you the flexibility to be ready anytime the moment’s right. And that’s not the only benefit. 

Some research shows that daily tadalafil may also work as a short-term treatment for men with ED. According to one 2024 study involving 96 ED participants under 50 years of age, 5 mg daily tadalafil helped 82 of them (85.4 percent) achieve full erectile function recovery after stopping tadalafil following three months of treatment. 

But, the men in the study were all seeking help for psychogenic ED (AKA psychological ED). It’s not clear whether the results would be the same for men over 50 with ED due to physical causes. 

Daily tadalafil may also help with other medical issues like lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and cardiovascular issues in men with or without erectile dysfunction.

We’ll cover the potential side effects later, but here’s something worth noting: taking tadalafil daily often leads to fewer side effects than as-needed ED meds. Why? The daily dose is lower. 

Want more spontaneous sex without needing to plan ahead? Daily Cialis might be the right ED medication for you.

The FDA-approved starting dose for daily Cialis or tadalafil is 2.5 milligrams, going up to 5 mg. Many urologists and sexual medicine experts start people on 5 mg per day and adjust up or down as needed to achieve the best results. 

Even though the 10 milligrams per day dose is an off-label use — meaning it’s not approved for daily use at that dose — high-quality clinical evidence shows it’s likely safe and effective. 

PDE5 inhibitors increase blood flow to your penis to make erections easier to achieve and maintain when you’re aroused. You can usually take them at any time of day. 

But if you’re taking a PDE5 inhibitor like Cialis daily, a healthcare professional might recommend:

• Taking it at the same time each day.

• Not taking two days’ worth of medication in a single day.

• Taking it with a meal

• Avoiding taking it alongside grapefruit, which may increase blood levels

• Avoiding taking it with fatty foods, which may slow absorption and reduce effectiveness

Taking Cialis daily is generally safe when taken at the dose your doctor prescribes. It may even lower your risk of side effects compared to taking it only as needed. 

But, side effects can still happen, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before starting this medication. Let them know about any health conditions, like a history of heart attack or pulmonary arterial hypertension (AKA high blood pressure in the lungs).

Common side effects of Cialis and similar medications include:

• Muscle aches

• Nasal congestion

• Indigestion

• Muscle pain

• Back pain

• Fatigue

Rare but serious side effects can include hearing issues and priapism (a prolonged, painful erection requiring emergency care).

Additionally, some medications — like nitrates or alpha-blockers — can increase your risk of sudden low blood pressure when you combine them with Cialis. If you’re on any heart disease or blood pressure medications, let your doctor know. 

Always follow your doctor’s prescription and never take any ED medication without medical guidance. 

Non-prescription ED treatments, like dietary supplements or gas station sex pills, don’t measure up to FDA-approved medications like PDE5 inhibitors. These prescription options are proven safe and effective for millions of men. 

But not every treatment works the same for everyone. Some men can benefit from daily medications like Cialis, while others prefer on-demand options like sildenafil citrate.

That’s why it’s important to only take medication as prescribed and follow up with your healthcare provider to discuss your progress. 

And don’t worry, these meds only work with sexual stimulation, so you won’t get surprise erections at awkward moments. 

It’s also important to know that erectile dysfunction can stem from various causes like high blood pressure or psychological issues including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Sexual performance anxiety

Figuring out the root cause of your ED symptoms is the best way to find a solution that works for you.

Reach out to a healthcare provider or urology specialist if you think you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction to find the treatment plan that serves your exact needs.

Daily ED medication can be a game changer for some men. But you can’t necessarily just take a daily dose of any ED med — only certain medications will work. 

Let’s recap what we know about daily ED pills:

• Cialis is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of ED (and BPH, under the name Adcirca®). Healthcare professionals commonly prescribe it as a daily ED treatment.

• A daily dose will be smaller. Daily doses range from 2.5 mg to 5 mg for most men.

• There are many benefits to taking a daily ED medication. They include more spontaneous sex, a lower risk of medication side effects, and heart health benefits.

Daily tadalafil is an effective option for many men with ED, but don’t try to create your own daily routine. Speak with a healthcare professional to get the right medication and dosage for your needs.

We can help connect you with a provider who can prescribe ED medication if they think it’s appropriate. Take our assessment to get started!