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.

You can get a prescription for Cialis after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history. 

Hims offers access to Cialis if you’re deemed eligible for treatment after an online medical evaluation. The process is straightforward. After submitting an online intake form detailing your symptoms and medical history, Hims connects you with a provider and decides tadalafil is a good fit. If you’re approved for treatment, you’ll receive your prescription in discreet packaging at your doorstep.

• 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

There are other medications prescribed to treat ED and/or BPH. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Cialis, talk with your provider to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Other oral medications that can treat ED include:

• Viagra^® (sildenafil)

• Tadalafil

• Stendra^® (avanafil)

• Vardenafil

• Chewable ED meds available through Hims that contain one or more of the active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra

Penile injection medications for ED include:

• Caverject^® or Edex^® (alprostadil)

• Papaverine

• Phentolamine

• Combination medications such as Bimix, Trimix, and Quadmix

As an alternative or addition to ED medications, your healthcare provider may suggest therapy for mental health issues that may be contributing to your ED and/or lifestyle changes to support sexual health, like following a healthy diet, exercising, and cutting back on alcohol.

Other treatments for ED include a topical gel, a penis pump with or without a constriction ring, penile implant surgery, and testosterone therapy (if low testosterone is a contributor).

BPH Management Options

Other treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) include:

• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors:

  • Avodart^® (dutasteride)

  • Proscar^® (finasteride)

• Alpha-blockers:

  • Uroxatral^® (alfuzosin)

  • Cardura^® (doxazosin)

  • Rapaflo^® (silodosin)

  • Flomax^® (tamsulosin)

  • Terazosin

• Combination therapies

• Surgery

*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.