Cialis (generic name Tadalafil) helps men with ED maintain erections. It is formulated in a way to be taken daily if needed. Cialis stays in your system longer (24-36 hours), much longer than most other ED medications, helping you be in the moment longer and have sex whenever you want without timing your dose.

Generic Cialis, or Tadalafil, is the same as Cialis when it comes to its level of effectiveness, active ingredient (tadalafil), and side effects. Since generic is substantially less expensive, Tadalafil is typically chosen over Cialis.

There are various causes for erectile dysfunction. In some cases, ED can be a warning that you might have an underlying cardiovascular health issue. ED can also be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, prostate cancer, medicines, a pinched nerve, etc.

In other cases, ED can be a result of psychological problems including anxiety, stress, poor mental health, relationship issues as well as nervousness about having sex.

Tadalafil should be used by men dealing with ED who want to get better erections and maintain them longer.

Men who choose tadalafil enjoy knowing they can take the medication in the morning but know the effect will last 24-36 hours. Tadalafil can take some of the stress out of the timing in taking ED medication.

Tadalafil works by increasing the balance of enzymes needed to maintain an erection. Research has shown that the reported effectiveness of Cialis is 81%. Most men and women prefer tadalafil over other ED treatments due to its longer duration of effect and the fact that they feel more relaxed and able to enjoy more spontaneous sex.

When sexually stimulated, the penis creates nitric oxide and an enzyme that is responsible for getting hard. Just like all PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil prevents the enzyme from breaking down, resulting in more blood flow in and less blood flow out.

Tadalafil can be used either daily or can be taken as needed.

For daily use, the typical starting dose is 2.5 mg. Your healthcare professional may decide to increase your dose to 5 mg, depending on how your body reacts to tadalafil.

For as-needed use, the starting dose is 10 mg. Again, your doctor may increase your dose to 20 mg or reduce it to 5 mg based on their judgement and your needs.

When taken as recommended, tadalafil can start working in 30-60 minutes, however, in most men, it reaches peak effect two hours after it has been taken. Like other ED drugs, tadalafil should be taken before you plan on having sex, to give it some time to start working.

If you have a more active sex life, tadalafil can also be taken at the same time every day. This way, it will have a longer-lasting effect, helping you have more spontaneous sex without having to plan much ahead.

Take tadalafil orally with water around 30-45 minutes before sexual activity. If you take the medication daily, take it at the same time every day. Do not take tadalafil more than once in 24 hours.

Keep in mind though, for tadalafil to work, sexual stimulation is still needed. The effectiveness of tadalafil is not affected by food consumption. Alcohol can affect your performance and can increase the side effects of the medication.

Numerous clinical trials have shown that tadalafil is a safe and effective medication for treating erectile dysfunction. However, just like with any medication, tadalafil may cause some side effects and react with other medications.

Tadalafil is safe to be taken with other medications unless there is a known interaction.

It is strongly recommended to avoid using tadalafil with medication that can decrease blood pressure, such as alpha-blockers, antihypertensives, nitrates, and riociguat. Combining these medications can cause dangerously low blood pressure.

Moreover, since tadalafil is processed in the liver, it shouldn’t be taken together with medications that alter the function of certain enzymes. CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as certain antibiotics, antifungals, and HIV protease inhibitor drugs, may boost the level of tadalafil in the body. CYP3A4 inducers, such as phenytoin or carbamazepine and the antibiotic rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

Tadalafil is available by prescription only. The easiest and most convenient way to get a prescription is with a consultation from an Apollo clinician to determine if tadalafil is the right treatment for you.

Like all medicines, tadalafil can also have side effects. These include indigestion, headache, muscle pain, hot flushes, back pain, and nasal congestion. You don’t have to stop taking tadalafil if you experience some mild side effects as they usually go away on their own. If they do bother you or persist longer than anticipated, you should consult with a healthcare professional. Serious side effects associated with tadalafil are rare. These include chest pains or priapism – a prolonged, painful erection not linked to arousal. If you experience any of these, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Seek medical help immediately if you’re experiencing signs of an allergic reaction to tadalafil such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Get urgent help if you have chest pain, nausea, or dizziness during sexual activity.