Tadalafil: How it works, comparisons, and where to buy

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Tadalafil is a medication prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The drug increases blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation.

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An estimated 1 in 10 men experiences sexual difficulty. This could be in the form of ED, premature ejaculation, or a loss of sex drive.

This article explores ED, tadalafil, alternative remedies, and when to see a doctor.

Sexual health and erectile dysfunction

ED relates to the difficulty a person may have achieving or maintaining an erection. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that approximately 30 million men in the United States may have this health condition.

The NIDDK goes on to say that ED is more common in:

• older adults
• people with specific psychological, emotional, or physical health conditions
• people who take particular medications
• people who smoke
• people with a higher BMI

Additionally, a recent study found that ED was common in a cohort of sexually active men aged between 18&#;31 years in the US. The study found that relationship status and mental health were the most significant contributing factors.

Brand-name vs. generic drugs

When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it must obtain a New Drug Approval (NDA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Once granted, there is an exclusivity period in which no other company may produce the same drug using the same active ingredients. Periods of exclusivity can last from 180 days to 7 years.

After this time, other manufacturers are free to make generic versions of a drug under an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). It is &#;abbreviated&#; because generic drug developers do not have to submit the preclinical and clinical testing data supplied by the original pharmaceutical company. This also accounts for the difference in brand-name and generic drug costs.

Tadalafil is the generic name for the brand-name drug Cialis. At the time of publishing, the average cash price of 30, 10-milligram (mg) Cialis tablets is approximately $2,524.92, whereas tadalafil is around $1,603.20, making it far more cost effective. Some online companies, such as GoodRx, also offer discount coupons that dramatically lower prices. For example, the same dose and quantity of tadalafil tablets using a GoodRx coupon at Food Lion Pharmacy costs $17.00.

How tadalafil works

Tadalafil is part of the class of phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors that treat people with high blood pressure in the lungs&#; arteries, also known as pulmonary hypertension, ED, and an enlarged prostate known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PDE5 inhibitors work by increasing blood flow to the penis. They block a specific enzyme in the blood vessels. This means these blood vessels can relax, resulting in an increased blood flow to a specific area.

Find out more about PDE5 inhibitors here.

The effects of tadalafil can last for 36 hours. This is significantly longer than the similar drug, sildenafil (brand name Viagra), which lasts approximately 4 hours. A person may consider this an advantage or a disadvantage.

Where to buy tadalafil

Tadalafil is available in most pharmacies across the U.S., provided a person has a prescription from their doctor. The FDA recommends that people not obtain ED treatments without a prescription, as these products may contain undisclosed ingredients.

Romans and Hims offer free online consultations, but a person must pay for the prescription if the doctor deems them a good fit for tadalafil. Insurance does not typically cover the cost of medications from these companies.

Lemonaid requests payment for a consultation, but a person can submit a query free of charge. Insurance does not cover consultations from Lemonaid but may cover some prescription medications. A person should check their available benefits with their plan provider.

Side effects and warnings

Due to the possibilities of side effects and allergic reactions, a person should always consult with their doctor before taking tadalafil.

Some individuals may experience few or no side effects when taking tadalafil, but some of the most common side effects may include:

• headache
• indigestion or heartburn
• sickness
• diarrhea
• stomach, leg, arm, or back pain
• cough
• red or flushed face
• stuffy nose

Less commonly, a person may experience severe side effects, including:

• chest pain
• prolonged or painful erections
• sudden vision or hearing loss
• skin reactions such as rashes
• seizures

In these cases, individuals should stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention.

In extremely rare cases, a person may experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. They should seek immediate and urgent medical attention in this situation.

Find out more about anaphylaxis here.

A doctor may not recommend tadalafil for everyone. For example, if they a person has serious heart or liver conditions, have low or high blood pressure, or have recently had a stroke or heart attack, a doctor may consider alternative options.

Frequently asked questions

Below, we look at some common questions surrounding tadalafil.

Can a person take tadalafil daily?

In some cases, yes, though this is usually to treat medical conditions other than ED. A person can take the medication daily or when needed, but they should first discuss dosage and frequency with their doctor.

How long does tadalafil take to work?

If taken only when needed, a person should aim to take tadalafil at least 30 minutes before sexual intercourse.

How long do the effects of tadalafil last?

The effects of tadalafil may last for 24&#;36 hours.

Can I take more than one tablet in a day?

No. Individuals should take only one tablet in a 24-hour period.

Do I need a prescription to obtain tadalafil?

Yes, a person must have a prescription for tadalafil. If they do not wish to visit their regular doctor, individuals can obtain a prescription online following a virtual consultation from an online pharmacy such as Hims or Lemonaid.

Will tadalafil cause an erection on its own?

No. A person must experience sexual arousal for this medication to help them achieve an erection.

Alternative options

A person may prefer to consider alternative remedies for ED. Some examples include:

• L-arginine: This is an amino acid found in the body that helps open up blood vessels. Some people take this as a supplement to help with ED.
• Ginseng: This is a herbal supplement that promotes the relaxation of smooth muscles, which may help with an erection. But a systematic review and meta-analysis concluded experts should conduct further research into its efficacy.
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): This is a natural hormone that decreases as a person ages. A person can purchase supplements of DHEA that may aid ED.

It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate the use of supplements, so it is essential a person chooses a well-reputed brand.

Lifestyle choices can also affect ED. Some things a person may consider when looking to help with ED include:

• regular exercise
• healthy diet
• stress management
• decreasing smoking
• decreasing alcohol consumption

Find out more about natural and home remedies for ED here.

When to see a doctor

A person should consult with their doctor if they experience ED regularly. In some cases, it may be due to an underlying health condition, such as diabetes.

Individuals should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe side effects, such as prolonged or painful erections, chest pain, vision or hearing loss, skin reactions, or seizures.

Summary

Tadalafil can help people with ED by increasing the blood flow to the penis when sexually aroused.

A person can only obtain tadalafil with a valid prescription that they can receive following a consultation with their regular doctor or from an online pharmacy.

Alternative options are available for those who would like to try something other than medication to manage their ED.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here&#;s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

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Tadalafil is a generic version of the prescription drug Cialis. Doctors prescribe it to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It helps relieve erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis.

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What is tadalafil used for?

Tadalafil, or generic Cialis, is most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it&#;s also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Along with other medications used to treat ED, Cialis and generic tadalafil are only available by prescription.

Tadalafil, like other phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, can interact dangerously with nitrate-based medications, such as Imdur and Nitrostat. This includes nitrates used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure.

Is generic tadalafil as effective as Cialis?

Generic versions of tadalafil that are FDA-approved are just as effective as Cialis. The FDA provides a rigorous inspection process to make sure companies selling these generic drugs undergo good manufacturing processes and that their drugs provide the same clinical benefits.

FDA-approved tadalafil and Cialis are cleared for treating ED and both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors that work in the same way &#; by dilating blood vessels in order to increase blood flow to the penis.

While the results are very similar, one of the biggest differences between the two is the price. Generic tadalafil pills are often less than half the price of Cialis.

A study found that from to , the median price of Cialis jumped from $127 to $365 for 30 tablets. Generic brands start at around $100 for 30 tablets.

Price depends on the strength of the dose per pill and the pharmacy you&#;re buying it from. Coupons and discounts may be available. Cialis and tadalafil can both be bought online. More information can be found here.

Finding generic tadalafil

Keep in mind that not all brands of generic tadalafil are FDA approved. You can use the search tool on the FDA website to find an up-to-date list of approved brands.

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How do PDE5 inhibitors work?

Tadalafil falls into a category of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors.

When you become sexually aroused, the nerve terminals and blood vessels in your penis release a molecule called nitric oxide (NO). NO activates a series of chemical reactions that increase blood flow to your penis by relaxing your blood vessels.

Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra block an enzyme called PDE5. By inhibiting PDE5, nitric oxide can be more effective at relaxing blood vessels in the penis and increasing blood flow. This ultimately results in a stronger erection.

However, both psychological and physiological factors can disrupt the sequence of reactions needed to achieve an erection. For PDE5 inhibitors to work, you still need to be sexually aroused. If your ED is caused by psychological factors, PDE5 inhibitors won&#;t help treat ED.

Tadalafil is thought to help treat symptoms of BPH by relaxing the muscles in your prostate and bladder. It helps improve symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension by relaxing the blood vessels in your lungs.

How do you use generic Cialis?

Tadalafil is taken orally in the form of tablets. The strength of these tablets generally ranges from 2.5 to 20 milligrams (mg).

Tadalafil tablets can either be taken once per day or as needed.

If you&#;re taking them once per day, your doctor will typically start you on a dose of about 2.5 mg and adjust based on how well it&#;s working for you and whether you&#;re experiencing any side effects. Avoid taking more than one tablet per day.

You should take the tablets at the same time each day, so you have consistent levels of the medication in your system. Since the medication is always in your system, you have the ability to get an erection without planning ahead of time. You can have sex at any time.

When used on an as-needed basis, your doctor will likely start you at about 10 mg per day. You can have sex about 30 minutes after taking the tablet.

A typical dose of tadalafil to treat BPH is 5 mg per day.

How can I get generic Cialis?

You&#;ll need a prescription to get generic Cialis, also known as tadalafil. There are several options for how you can get generic Cialis, including starting with talking with your doctor. You can meet with them and discuss your symptoms, and they will prescribe tadalafil for you.

Where can I buy generic Cialis online?

Whenever you&#;re buying medication online, it&#;s important to make sure the seller is reliable and reputable. Unfortunately, there are a lot of online sellers offering discounted medications, but many of them may not be selling safe or legitimate versions of Cialis or generic Cialis.

When purchasing from a non-reputable seller, it can be very difficult to establish the safety and effectiveness of the medication, the ingredients, and the dose.

Here&#;s a side-by-side comparison of some of the best places to find generic Cialis online:

NamePrice as of Nov. DosesMeds shipped directly/prescription?Is branded Cialis available too?

Hims$6&#;$25 per dose2.5&#;20 mg&#; shipped to your home
&#; prescription required
&#; doctor available through serviceyes

Roman$8&#;$44 per dose2.5&#;20 mg&#; shipped to your home
&#; prescription required
&#; doctor available through serviceyes

Lemonaidstarting around $8 per dose5&#;20 mg&#; shipped to your home
&#; prescription required
&#; doctor available through serviceno

Rex MD$3&#;$10 per dose2.5-20mg&#; shipped to your home
&#; prescription required
&#; doctor available through serviceyesOptum Storestarts at $7 per dose5&#;20 mg&#; shipped to your home
&#; prescription required
&#; doctor available through serviceyes

Looking for more in-depth reviews of these companies?

We took a closer look at these online services and analyzed their customer reviews, variety of products, pricing, and shipping policies.

• Hims
• Roman
• Hims vs. Roman
• Lemonaid
• Rex MD
• Optum Store

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Does generic Cialis interact with other medications?

It&#;s important to let your doctor know what other medications you&#;re taking before you start taking tadalafil. A number of medications can interact with tadalafil and have serious side effects.

According to the FDA, combining Cialis with nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, which can lead to fainting, dizziness, headaches, or even death.

It&#;s recommended that you avoid tadalafil if you&#;re taking any of the following medications:

• amyl nitrite
• boceprevir
• erythrityl tetranitrate
• isosorbide dinitrate
• isosorbide mononitrate
• nitroglycerin
• pentaerythritol tetranitrate
• propatyl nitrate
• riociguat
• telaprevir

Some categories of medications known to interact with tadalafil include:

• angina drugs
• antibiotics
• epilepsy drugs
• hepatitis C drugs
• high blood pressure drugs
• HIV drugs
• oral antifungal drugs
• other ED drugs
• pulmonary arterial hypertension drugs
• stomach acid drugs

When taking tadalafil, it&#;s often recommended that you avoid grapefruit juice and minimize your use of tobacco or alcohol since they can interact with the medication.

Discuss your tobacco and alcohol habits with your doctor before taking any type of PDE5 inhibitor.

Takeaway

Generic versions of Cialis have been available since under the name tadalafil. A long list of companies has been FDA approved to produce tadalafil for treating ED and BPH.

Generic versions of Cialis that are FDA-approved are equally as effective and safe as brand-name Cialis. Generic versions are often less than half the cost.

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