Cialis (tadalafil)

Description

How does Cialis treat erectile dysfunction?

ED happens when there is not enough blood flow to the penis. This can be a result of a medical problem, medications, or emotional problems. Your healthcare provider can help determine the cause and whether medication might be right for you.

Much like Viagra, Cialis relaxes the smooth muscles and arteries inside the penis. At the same time, it also increases blood flow to the penis. When aroused, this combination of relaxation and increased blood flow allows the penis to fill with blood, which results in an erection. It’s important to remember that Cialis only works if you are sexually aroused.

If you’re using Cialis for the first time, here are a couple things to know up front.
How quickly does Cialis work?

First, Cialis works relatively quickly but not as fast as Viagra. It can take 1 to 2 hours for the full effects of Cialis to kick in, though it only takes about an hour for Viagra to work fully.

Studies show the drug is absorbed quickly, and this is not affected by the timing of meals.
How long does Cialis last?

On the other hand, the effects of Cialis last noticeably longer than the effects of Viagra, normally up to 36 hours. That’s a full 1.5 days!

Don’t be alarmed, though: That doesn’t mean you’ll have an erection for 1.5 days straight. That would be an emergency, which we’ll talk about soon. But you may be able to achieve an erection with the help of Cialis throughout the 36-hour time period. This is one of the reasons some men prefer Cialis: It allows for more spontaneous sexual activity.

If your erection lasts longer than 4 hours, even if it’s not painful, consider it a medical emergency. Known as priapism, this condition can cause permanent damage to the tissue that allows you to become erect. People who are more likely to have a prolonged erection include those with:

Sickle cell anemia
Multiple myeloma
Leukemia
Some penile deformities

Don’t miss out on savings!
Get the best ways to save on your prescriptions delivered to your inbox.
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’s terms of service and privacy policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
How should I take Cialis?

Here are a few tips for taking Cialis safely and effectively:
1) Follow safe, recommended doses.

If you’d like to take Cialis for ED, you’ve got two options: You can take one of the higher-dose tablets on an as-needed basis (only when you want to have sex), or you can take a smaller-dose tablet every day.

A 10 mg tablet is usually recommended for as-needed use, though some men might find that a lower (5 mg) or higher (20 mg) dose works better.

According to studies, there is no difference in safety or efficacy between these two options.
2) You can make Cialis work faster.

If you take Cialis as needed, be sure to give yourself plenty of time (since it takes up to 1 to 2 hours to kick in). Otherwise, you can’t speed it up after you’ve taken it.

If that’s not working for you, you could consider taking a lower-dose tablet every day. This might be better if you prefer to be more spontaneous. If so, be sure to take it at the same time every day.

No matter which way you decide to take it, don’t take more than 1 dose per day.
3) Watch out for interactions with other medications.

ED medications combined with medications for high blood pressure can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Never take Cialis if you take nitroglycerin or another nitrate medication for angina or blood pressure. These include:

Nitroglycerin sprays, tablets, or patches
Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, Ismo, Monoket)
Isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate)

Taking certain medications or supplements can cause your body to eliminate Cialis from your system faster, such as:

Phenytoin
Fosphenytoin
Carbamazepine
Rifampin
Supplements like St. John’s Wort

If you are taking these medications, it’s important to continue taking them as prescribed, but taking them separately from Cialis may be helpful.
4) Know the potential side effects.

Aside from a prolonged erection, which is an emergency, possible side effects of Cialis include:

Flushing
Headache
Nasal congestion
Heartburn
Back pain
Muscle pain

Additionally, patients taking Cialis daily may also experience:

Sore throat
Respiratory infections
Cough
Diarrhea
UTIs
Acid reflux
Abdominal pain

You might wonder how long you can safely use Cialis. Right now, there isn’t a maximum period of time for safely taking the medication. But as the years pass, you may begin taking other medications, such as blood pressure or antifungal medications that could be dangerous if combined with Cialis, Viagra, and similar ED drugs. Always be sure any healthcare provider you see knows that you take Cialis so that your medications can be adjusted safely.