Tadalafil

Tadalafil (Cialis) vs. Sildenafil (Viagra)

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis.

The biggest advantage of Tadalafil over Sildenafil is the length of its effectiveness. A single dose of Tadalafil usually lasts for most of a weekend, eliminating the need to take the pill directly before sexual activity.

Tadalafil is a good option for men who dislike taking a pill immediately before sex and want a long-lasting erectile dysfunction pill suitable for entire days and weekends.

General Info
Side Effects
Safety Information

How long does it take to work?

Tadalafil starts working anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes after you take it. 

How long does it last?

Tadalafil remains active for up to 36 hours after it’s taken, making it the longest-acting of the erectile dysfunction drugs available today.  Peak concentration of Tadalafil in your bloodstream usually occurs between 30 minutes and 6 hours.

Daily dose option

Tadalafil can also be taken at a lower prescribed dose every day. 

When taken in this way over time, you may find an increased ability to achieve an erection anytime you are sexually aroused. 

Side Effects

For a complete list of moderate to severe side effects when taking Tadalafil, click here.

Can Tadalafil cause permanent effects?

No.  The the active amount of Tadalafil in your bloodstream will reduce by approximately half with every 18 hours.  When you get to a certain point, Tadalafil will no longer be present and produce no effects on your body.

Moderate Side Effects:

  • Headache
  • Upset stomach
  • Pharyngitis (sore throat)
  • Infection
  • Flushing
  • Muscle aches
  • Nausea
  • Stuffy nose
  • Back pain

Tadalafil can cause serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include:

  • an erection that will not go away (priapism). If you have an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, get medical help right away. If it is not treated right away, priapism can permanently damage your penis
  • sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes can be a sign of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Stop taking Tadalafil and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any sudden vision loss
  • sudden hearing decrease or hearing loss. Some people may also have ringing in their ears (tinnitus) or dizziness. If you have these symptoms, stop taking Tadalafil and contact a doctor right away

These are not all the possible side effects of Tadalafil.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Do not take Tadalafil if you:

  • take any medicines called nitrates, often prescribed for chest pain, or guanylate cyclase stimulators like Adempas (riociguat) for pulmonary hypertension. Your blood pressure could drop to an unsafe level
  • are allergic to Tadalafil or any of the ingredients in Tadalafil

Discuss your health with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough for sex. 

If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, seek immediate medical help

Before you take Tadalafil, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • have or have had heart problems such as a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, angina, chest pain, narrowing of the aortic valve, or heart failure
  • have had heart surgery within the last 6 months
  • have pulmonary hypertension
  • have had a stroke
  • have low blood pressure, or high blood pressure that is not controlled
  • have a deformed penis shape
  • have had an erection that lasted for more than 4 hours
  • have problems with your blood cells such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
  • have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
  • have ever had severe vision loss, including an eye problem called NAION
  • have bleeding problems
  • have or have had stomach ulcers
  • have liver problems
  • have kidney problems or are having kidney dialysis have any other medical conditions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.  Tadalafil may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Tadalafil works, causing side effects. 

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:

  • medicines called nitrates
  • medicines called guanylate cyclase stimulators such as Adempas (riociguat)
  • medicines called alpha-blockers such as Hytrin (terazosin HCl), Flomax (tamsulosin HCl), Cardura (doxazosin mesylate), Minipress (prazosin HCl), Uroxatral (alfuzosin HCl), Jalyn (dutasteride and tamsulosin HCl), or Rapaflo (silodosin). Alpha-blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure. In some patients, the use of Tadalafil with alpha-blockers can lead to a drop in blood pressure or to fainting
  • medicines called HIV protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir sulfate (Crixivan), saquinavir (Fortovase or Invirase), or atazanavir sulfate (Reyataz)
  • some types of oral antifungal medicines, such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox)
  • some types of antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), telithromycin (Ketek), or erythromycin
  • other medicines that treat high blood pressure
  • other medicines or treatments for ED
  • Tadalafil should not be used with REVATIO or with other PAH treatments containing PDE5 inhibitors.

Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your health and medical history in order to obtain treatment may result in harm, including, in some cases, death.

Tadalafil does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.