Comparing Tadalafil (Generic Cialis) and Sildenafil (Generic Viagra)

If you are taking this medication for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or to treat both BPH and an erection problem, take the dose once daily at about the same time each day. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

• Before taking tadalafil, discuss your health history with your doctor.
• Men with heart problems should be cautious when using tadalafil.
• Combining tadalafil with certain medications may increase side effects.
• Tadalafil is not suitable for men with severe liver or kidney issues without medical advice.
• Do not double-dose if you miss a pill; consult your doctor for guidance.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others. If you are taking this medication as needed for erection problems, this does not apply.

Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil: Which One Is Right for You?

How to protect your health in a power outage Physical therapy provides modest improvement for chronic low back pain Kinesio taping offers only modest relief for musculoskeletal disorders Scoliosis treatment: Can it help as you get older? New resistance training guidance may simplify your workout The problem with "classic" Lyme disease symptoms Are those body aches a sign of gallstones? Tadalafil (Cialis) is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs. The drug comes in low-dose versions that can be taken daily. This means you can have sex at any time, rather than needing to take a pill from time to time as needed like other ED brands.

Your expert team

The starting dose for daily-use Cialis is 2.5 milligrams (mg). If that doesn't work, you can increase your daily dose up to 5 mg. But is this the right approach for you—or are you better off with traditional ED drugs like Viagra, Levitra, or even the nondaily version of Cialis? If you are contemplating Cialis for daily use, consider these questions and then discuss it with your doctor: If it's two or more times a week, a daily pill might be a reasonable choice, since the drug continually circulates in your bloodstream. A daily pill clears the path for sex at any time—if the drug works for you.

Drug form and strengths

(Remember, just like other ED drugs, it may not work for everyone). On the other hand, the 36-hour window offered by the nondaily version of Cialis might offer enough spontaneity. Have side effects of your current ED pill been bothering you? Taking a daily low-dose pill may reduce side effects, though it may reduce effectiveness as well. In studies, the most common daily pill side effects were headache, muscle pain, indigestion, and back pain. If you miss a dose while taking this medication once daily for an erection problem, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or both, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take more than one dose per day.

Do not take this medication with any of the following: Nitrates, such as amyl nitrite, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin Other medications for erectile dysfunction, such as avanafil, sildenafil, vardenafil This medication may also interact with the following: Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin Certain medications for fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital Other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take.

Read Real Stories of Men who Underwent Treatment for ED at New York Urology Specialists.

TADALAFIL (tah DA la fil) treats erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which helps to maintain an erection. It may also be used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Adcirca, ALYQ, Cialis They need to know if you have any of these conditions: Blood diseases, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia Have had a painful and prolonged erection Heart disease, such as angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeat or rhythm Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems An unusual or allergic reaction to tadalafil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water.

What conditions is Tadalafil approved to treat?

Follow the directions on the prescription label. You may take this medication with or without meals. When this medication is used for erection problems, your care team may prescribe it to be taken once daily or as needed. If you are taking the medication as needed, you may be able to have sexual activity 30 minutes after taking it and for up to 36 hours after taking it. Whether you are taking the medication as needed or once daily, you should not take more than one dose per day. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your tadalafil 2 5 mg medications work as intended. This list may not describe all possible interactions.

Understanding Tadalafil

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: faintness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck Painful or prolonged erection of the penis blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet red skin lesions, often with a purple center sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips swelling of the feet or lower legs Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings burning feeling in the chest or stomach feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings feeling of warmth, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid swelling or puffiness of the eyes or face Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Alternatives for ED and BPH

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. All content on this page has been medically reviewed by: Hassan Thwaini, Clinical Pharmacist and Copywriter, Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) on 30 March, 2026. Tadalafil is a clinically-proven erectile dysfunction treatment that gives you the freedom to enjoy sex when you want it. It lasts for 36 hours - so there’s less need for planning before sex.

Why it’s used

Find the clinically proven ED treatment that suits you best. No names, no logos, no delivery fee. 4.6* from over 33,000 people like you. BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCGP AFHEA MA (Hons) AFMCP Answer a few simple questions to get the treatment you need. Can juicing help tadalafil daily you get more fruits and vegetables? Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use.

• The medication is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild to moderate and transient.
• Patient reviews often highlight the convenience of the daily dose for reducing timing-related anxiety.
• Never share your prescription medication with another person, as it is prescribed for your specific condition.

Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

• Tadalafil may interact with other medications like alpha-blockers.
• It is important to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking tadalafil.
• Side effects are usually mild but seek medical help for serious reactions.
• Allergic reactions to tadalafil are rare but possible.
• Tadalafil does not cause spontaneous erections without sexual arousal.

Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Using this medication does not protect you or your partner against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Stop and call your care team right away if you have symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or chest pain during sex. Contact your care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful.

• The medication's long half-life is what allows for both daily and on-demand dosing options.
• For BPH, it helps relax smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder, improving urine flow.
• It should not be used recreationally and only by men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

This may be a sign of a serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage.

Frequently asked questions

Men taking Cialis for daily use can experience a worrisome drop in blood pressure if they drink too much. Ask your doctor if any medications or supplements you take might interact with a daily erectile dysfunction pill, including blood pressure drugs, antifungal drugs, and HIV drugs. Also, men taking nitrate medications are advised not to take any ED drugs. While the manufacturer suggests that a 30-day supply of daily Cialis should cost about the same as eight pills of 36-hour Cialis a month, there's no way to enforce this. Check your insurance policy and local pharmacies for price information.

Less common

– By Matthew Solan Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox! Tadalafil tablets are a medication that treats erectile dysfunction.

Off-label use for Cialis

It increases blood flow to your penis, which helps you maintain an erection. It can also treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not tadalafil 20mg price endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): This list may not describe all possible side effects.