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Get generic for Cialis shipped right to your door
Cialis® (and its generic version, tadalafil) has a long and successful history of treating erectile dysfunction (ED), whether for daily use or whenever the mood strikes. If you’ve got your hands on a prescription, you might be wondering how to get the maximum effect from Cialis.
Some guys are just happy to see any results from this treatment for erectile dysfunction. But if Cialis isn’t working exactly how you hoped it would — or if you’re just trying to optimize the benefits of this drug — you’ve come to the right place.
There are ways to optimize ED drugs in their performance.
If you want Cialis to work well for you, check out our best advice on safely working the Cialis system to get uber-awesome erections with every dose.
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Cialis is a well-established, safe, effective and popular treatment for ED. But to get the most out of it, you have to understand a few crucial things about this medication.
When your healthcare provider prescribed the medication, they should have given you specific guidelines on how to safely use and get the maximum effect from Cialis. But if you forgot what they said or they didn’t explain things very clearly, we got you.
Using Cialis for maximum effect requires you to:
Understand how Cialis works
Understand Cialis safety
Take it at the right time
Be aware of side effects
Avoid dangerous drug interactions
Have realistic expectations
Combine the medication with a healthy lifestyle
Let’s unpack these tips in more detail.
Getting more out of your meds can be as simple as asking, “How does Cialis work?” and reading reliable sources (like our blog).
Cialis is a medication designed primarily for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It’s also sometimes used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure affecting arteries in the lungs) when tadalafil is prescribed as a different brand name and enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).
Like other oral erectile dysfunction drugs (sildenafil, avanafil and vardenafil), Cialis is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor prescribed for erectile dysfunction. PDE5 inhibitors work to enhance the effects of nitric oxide (NO) in the smooth muscle cells in the arteries supplying blood to the penis.
Nitric oxide starts a chain reaction that leads to increased blood flow through the blood vessels to the penis and, ultimately, an erection. In this way, PDE5 inhibitors help men get and maintain erections if they otherwise struggle with erectile dysfunction.
When you get a prescription medication like Cialis, your healthcare provider chooses the proper dosage based on how you plan to take it (and other factors).
Your provider will start you on a smaller dose and potentially increase it if you’re not seeing the desired effects.
If you’re taking Cialis as needed, the starting dose is typically 10 milligrams (mg), but it can be increased to 20 milligrams or lowered to 5 milligrams if necessary.
A single dose can last up to 36 hours, according to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
If you’re taking daily Cialis, the dose is generally lower. Your healthcare provider will likely start you at 2.5 milligrams of Cialis daily and increase your dosage to 5 milligrams if needed.
When taken daily, it’s important to take the medication at the same time each day.
Still have questions? See our Cialis dosage guide for more information.
When to take Cialis depends on what guidance your healthcare provider has given you, but for as-needed dosing, you’ll generally take it at least 30 minutes to two hours before sex. For a daily prescription, take your once-daily lower dose at the same time each day.
Figuring out the best Cialis timing is both a personal and mechanical decision. You can choose a time that fits your lifestyle.
Cialis stays working in your system for up to 36 hours. So mind the window or maintain a calendar.
If you’re worried about health and safety, you should know when something’s not quite right. In other words, be aware of the common side effects and serious side effects of tadalafil.
Cialis side effects are a well-known set of issues.
The most common adverse reactions to Cialis include:
Headache
Back pain
Congestion
Flushing
Indigestion
More serious side effects of Cialis can include vision loss, hearing loss and priapism. If you experience any of these, seek medical attention right away.
But of the effects of Cialis you want to avoid, some of the most severe are tadalafil drug interactions — the dangerous risks of using the active ingredient while taking certain other medications.
Tadalafil’s FDA-approved safety is documented. Still, using nitrates like nitroglycerin, nitric oxide supplements, alpha-blockers and other medications that function as vasodilators may cause dangerous drops in blood pressure and potentially heart attack. Why? They basically do a different version of the same thing PDE5 inhibitors do.
Other medications like erythromycin and antifungal agents can potentially increase the concentration of a dose of Cialis in your body. This can lead to the same dangerous medical conditions as taking too much medication.
Breakfast fact: Grapefruit juice can do the same thing.
Talk to your healthcare provider about all other medications you’re on and supplements you take before beginning Cialis.
Hard truth incoming: Not every drug works for every person. Tadalafil is a widely effective drug, but how quickly and effectively it works can vary.
Cialis can remain effective for 24 to 36 hours after taking it — sometimes up to 72 hours. So, for you, it could last a full day, while the next guy could see effects for three days.
Cialis doesn’t cause an immediate and spontaneous erection. Sexual stimulation is still required for your penis to get hard.
Oh, and you might want to try another medication if tadalafil isn’t measuring up. We’re not going to legislate the Cialis versus Viagra® debate here, but other medications may give you the results you want if this one isn’t delivering.
Cialis is just one of several ED medications out there. Erectile dysfunction treatments on the market today include generic Levitra®, sildenafil (generic for Viagra), avanafil (sold as Stendra®) and some non-tablet options like our own chewable ED meds hard mints.
There really are a seemingly endless number of possibilities.
Google “what can I take to enhance Cialis,” and you’ll see a slew of dangerous suggestions. Ignore these. One of the best ways to maximize the effects of the medication is to make lifestyle changes.
Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of larger health problems. For instance, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and smoking can all lead to (or contribute to) sexual dysfunction.
By managing these conditions with healthy habits, you may get better results from your ED treatment.
Getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods, quitting smoking and losing weight can go a long way in your overall physical health and, ultimately, your sexual health.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about when to take Cialis and how to take Cialis for best results below.
Cialis doesn’t start working immediately after you take it. If you’re using the medication on an as-needed basis, you’ll want to take it at least half-hour or more before you plan to have sex. Since it can take up to two hours to kick in (sometimes longer), you might even want to take it way before that.
As noted, Cialis can take multiple hours to kick in. You shouldn’t double up on your dose or take your medication any other way than how your provider prescribed it. And remember, you still need to be sexually stimulated to get an erection, even with Cialis in your system.
Cialis usually lasts several hours, giving you plenty of time to get it on after taking it. But the effects can linger for up to 24 or even 36 hours. This is where it gets the nickname “the weekend pill.”
Cialis might make you last longer in bed, although it isn’t FDA approved for that purpose.
If you’re interested in premature ejaculation (PE) treatment, we have options available through our telehealth platform.
When you struggle with getting an erection — or keeping one long enough to satisfy your partner — it can make sex a source of stress rather than pleasure. Fortunately, there are many erectile dysfunction medications on the market. Cialis is just one.
Cialis could be right for you, and you might be able to get the maximum effect by using it under medical advice.
So if you’re wondering how to get the maximum effect from Cialis, remember this:
Cialis is a safe and effective ED medication that can improve sexual activity with an occasional or daily dose.
If you’re not seeing the effects you anticipated, chatting with your healthcare provider might give you clarity on what to do for better results, like trying another medication or taking Cialis at a higher dose.
Your healthcare provider is best equipped to provide guidance on getting the most out of any medical treatment, including Cialis.
Take our tips to heart (and to the bedroom). If you’re still not seeing the results you want, reach out — we’re always here to help.
Explore sexual health resources from Hims today.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Bachelor of Arts, Egyptian and Ancient Western Asian Archaeology - Brown University | College, 2011
Doctor of Medicine - Brown University | Warren Alpert Medical School, 2017
Master of Public Health - Columbia University | Mailman School of Public Health, 2018
Master of Liberal Arts, Journalism - Harvard University | Harvard Extension School, 2022
Master of Science, Healthcare Leadership - Cornell University | Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 2024
Master of Business Administration - Cornell University | Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, 2024
Internship - NYU Grossman School of Medicine | Internal Medicine Residency—Community Health Track, 2019
New York, 2019
Certified in Public Health - National Board of Public Health Examiners, 2018
Medical Writer Certified - American Medical Writers Association, 2020
Editor in the Life Sciences - Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, 2020
Certified Personal Trainer - National Academy of Sports Medicine, 2022
Certified Nutrition Coach - National Academy of Sports Medicine, 2023
Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist - Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs, 2023
Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine - Obesity Medicine Association, 2025
Regulatory Affairs Certification - Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, 2025
General Practice
Medical Expert Board Member - Eat This, Not That!, 2021–
Director Scientific & Medical Content - Stealth Biotech PBC, 2023–2024
Director, Medical Content & Education - Ro, 2021–2023
Associate Director, Medical Content & Education - Ro, 2020–2021
Senior Medical Writer - Ro, 2019–2020
Medical Editor/Writer - Sharecare, 2017–2020
Medical Student Producer - The Dr. Oz Show, 2015–2016
Research Affiliate - University Hospitals of Cleveland, 2013–2014
Title: Biomechanical evaluation of a novel suturing scheme for grafting load-bearing collagen scaffolds for rotator cuff repair
Published in: Clinical Biomechanics
Date: 2015
URL: https://www.clinbiomech.com/article/S0268-0033(15)00143-6/abstract
Title: Pelvic incidence and acetabular version in slipped capital femoral epiphysis
Published in: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
Date: 2015
Title: Relationship between pelvic incidence and osteoarthritis of the hip
Published in: Bone & Joint Research
Date: 2016
URL: https://boneandjoint.org.uk/Article/10.1302/2046-3758.52.2000552
Title: Effects of PDGF-BB delivery from heparinized collagen sutures on the healing of lacerated chicken flexor tendon in vivo
Published in: Acta Biomaterialia
Date: 2017
URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706117305652
Dr. Bohl’s medical expertise is regularly featured in consumer health media:
Eat This, Not That!: Contributor and Medical Expert Board Member on nutrition and wellness topics
The Dr. Oz Show: Behind-the-scenes contributor to Emmy Award-winning health segments
Sharecare: Public-facing health writer, simplifying complex medical issues for millions of readers
Dr. Bohl developed a passion for medical content while working at The Dr. Oz Show. He realized that, through the media, he could bring important health information to the lives of many more people than he would be able to working in a doctor’s office.
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