Cialis® (tadalafil) is a medication used to treat ED, an enlarged prostate, or both. It’s known for its long-lasting effects and can be taken daily or as needed.
Cialis
Cialis
Cialis® (tadalafil) is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing blood flow to particular areas of the body, notably the penis.
Cialis is known for its long-lasting effects, allowing for more sexual spontaneity, as it can remain effective for up to 36 hours. It is typically taken as needed, but a lower-dose daily prescription is also available for continuous treatment.
Common side effects of Cialis include headaches, indigestion, back pain, and muscle aches, which typically resolve within a few days. It is important to use Cialis with caution, especially for people with heart conditions, and to avoid combining it with nitrates or certain other medications due to the risk of serious interactions.
Cialis (tadalafil) is indicated to treat:
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
The signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
ED and the signs and symptoms of BPH (ED/BPH)
Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor
Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) include:
Headache
Indigestion
Back pain
Muscle pain
Nasal congestion
Flushing
Pain in limb
The cost of Cialis® may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan, the dosage, the quantity, and where you buy it.
Without insurance, the average price of the medication is between $12 and $70 per tablet, largely depending on the dosage. A month’s supply of Cialis typically ranges in price from about $400 to $1,000. Coupons and discount cards may be available to bring down the price, and insurance may cover all or some of the cost of the drug. Generic tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) is also available and costs significantly less than brand-name Cialis, averaging between $3 and $10 per pill.
After a thorough medical evaluation to determine eligibility, Hims offers access to Cialis starting at $958 per month, while generic tadalafil starts at $40 per month. Both include free shipping and unlimited messaging with your provider.
Hims also offers access to chewable Hard Mints containing the same active ingredient as Cialis and/or Viagra®, starting at around $2 per use. These mints are compounded medications prescribed by licensed medical providers and made in FDA-reulated pharmacies, but they have not been approved by the FDA.
Administration of Cialis to patients using any form of organic nitrate is contraindicated
History of known serious hypersensitivity reaction to Cialis or Adcirca
Drug interactions: Nitrates, alpha blockers, antihypertensives, alcohol, CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir), CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin)
Patients should not use Cialis if sex is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status
Use of Cialis with alpha blockers, antihypertensives or substantial amounts of alcohol (≥5 units) may lead to low blood pressure
Cialis is not recommended in combination with alpha blockers for the treatment of BPH, because efficacy of the combination has not been adequately studied and because of the risk of blood pressure lowering
If taking potent inhibitors of CYP3A4, dose should be adjusted
Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts >4 hours
Patients should stop Cialis and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Patients should stop Cialis and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing
Prior to initiating treatment with Cialis for BPH, consideration should be given to other urological conditions that may cause similar symptoms
Cialis for ED typically starts working within about 30 minutes to two hours of taking the medication, with sexual stimulation.
Cialis is effective for up to 36 hours after you take it, making it longer-lasting than other medications for ED.
Cialis can be taken daily or as needed. Daily Cialis is prescribed at a low dose (either 2.5 or 5 mg) and taken once per day. When used on an as-needed basis for ED, Cialis is typically taken about two hours before you plan to have sex and prescribed at a higher dose (5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg).
Yes, it can, although research has found that Cialis’ effect on blood pressure is mild and generally safe when the medication is taken at dosages prescribed for ED.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. They are chemically identical and equally effective at treating ED. They last the same amount of time and have the same risk of side effects, but Cialis is generally more expensive than tadalafil.
Cialis and Viagra are both PDE5 inhibitors that work similarly. They both increase the amount of blood that can flow to your penis when you’re sexually aroused and make it easier to get and maintain an erection. The main difference is how long they last. While Viagra lasts for about four hours, Cialis can be effective for up to 36 hours.
*This information is from the label for brand name Cialis®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient tadalafil.
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.
CIALIS® (tadalafil) tablets, for oral use. (2011). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021368s20s21lbl.pdf
VIAGRA® (sildenafil citrate) tablets, for oral use. (2014). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/20895s039s042lbl.pdf