Cialis

What is Cialis?

Cialis is a pill for erectile dysfunction. It’s made by Lilly and is probably the second most well-known ED drug in the world after Viagra. Same science as the little blue pill, but the effects are a little different.

Other ED drugs only stay active in the body for around five hours. But a Cialis tablet will keep working for up to 36 hours, so you can get multiple uses out of one dose (translated: have sex multiple times).

There’s also a lower dose version of Cialis which you can take daily (also known as ‘Cialis Once-A-Day’). With this version, you don’t have to wait 30-60 minutes for it to start working like you do with regular Cialis. Because you take it every day, it stays active all the time so you’re always ‘ready’ to have sex at short notice.

Tadalafil (generic Cialis): what am I missing here?

If you’ve come across Tadalafil, you’ll probably already know that it’s cheaper than Cialis and contains the same drug. So what's the catch?

The truth is, there isn’t one. Tadalafil is the generic (non-branded) version of Cialis. The medicine is the same, but Tadalafil tablets and the packaging they come in are different. Several different labs make Tadalafil, so these might not be made by Lilly.

There shouldn’t be much difference in how well they work (if any). Because generics like Tadalafil aren’t made by one manufacturer, they’re usually cheaper than branded medicines. Whether you choose Cialis or Tadalafil depends on whether you like name brands enough to spend the extra money (and yes, lots of men do).

We think you should have the option to choose what works best for you. Whether that’s the brand, or the more budget-friendly generic. So we carry both Cialis and generic Tadalafil. After your consultation, we’ll tell you which treatments are safe, but you can decide which version you want.

How to buy Cialis online 

A Treated subscription puts you in control. Consult with our experts online. We’ll ask you a few simple questions about your health, just so we can get a picture of what treatments are safe for you. And then you can choose the option you prefer. 

We’ve made subscriptions flexible with you in mind. When you choose a treatment, how much you get and how often you get it is up to you. Set your own delivery schedule, and pause, skip or restart deliveries when you want.

How to take Cialis

If you’re taking the 10mg or 20mg (weekend) dose:

• take one tablet 30-60 minutes before you plan to have sex
• swallow your tablet whole with water
• avoid taking it after a heavy meal because this can slow the drug down
• don’t take more than one Cialis pill in any 24 hour period
• it’s better to wait for 24 hours after the effects of the previous tablet have worn off before taking another one.

You need to be sexually stimulated for Cialis to work.

How long does Cialis last?

Tadalafil stays active in the body for up to 36 hours. This means after you take it, you should be able to get an erection when aroused at any time during this period. So Cialis is a good option for men who plan to have sex multiple times over a day or two.

Slight disclaimer, but there is a window after ejaculation called the ‘refractory period’ where the body needs time to recover, before it can become aroused again. This can vary between a few minutes and a few hours, and it may be difficult to get an erection during this time whether you’ve taken ED medication or not. (Interestingly, there is limited evidence that PDE5 inhibitors like tadalafil can reduce refractory time in men .)

How to take Cialis Once-A-Day

If you’re taking the 5mg dose:

• take one tablet daily, at the same time each day
• swallow whole with water
• don’t take more than one Cialis pill in any 24 hour period.

After a couple of days use, the drug should’ve had time to be taken up into your system. By this time it should be active all the time, enabling you to get an erection whenever you’re aroused.

Which Cialis dosage works best?

Which dosage works best depends on the person taking it. A clinician will normally prescribe the lowest dose they know to be effective. So if you’re starting out, this is 10mg if you’re taking Cialis on-demand. There is only one dose of Cialis once-a-day, so if you want this version, you’ll take 5mg.

If the lower dose of Cialis on-demand works well, you’ll stay on this dose. A doctor may up your dose if the lower dose works, but not quite well enough to give you a firm erection, or if your erections don’t last long enough.

If you take the higher dose of Cialis and find that the drug works well but you get mild side effects, like a stuffy nose or a headache, a clinician might reduce your dose to alleviate these.

Sometimes it takes time to find the right dose and the right treatment. Our experts are happy to talk through the different choices.

Think you’ve chosen the wrong one? Easily solved. With a Treated subscription you’ve got the option to change your dose if it’s not working well for you.

I took Cialis and it doesn’t work. What now?

It could be that a higher dose will work better, or a different treatment.

If Cialis isn’t working well, it can also help to:

• limit your alcohol intake
• eat a light meal when taking it (rather than a heavy one)
• get plenty of physical activity and keep a healthy lifestyle.

Keep in mind too that Cialis can help you get better erections, but it doesn’t create arousal - so it won’t work unless you’re sexually stimulated. (That bit is up to you and your partner.)

But if you’re having problems with Cialis, tell us. We can help you find an alternative.

Medically reviewed by

Dr Daniel Atkinson

GP Clinical Lead

on August 02, 2022.

Meet Daniel