What is tadalafil used for?
Tadalafil is used to help people with erectile dysfunction (ED). At certain doses, it can be used to treat an enlarged prostate and pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure).
At Chemist4U, we will only prescribe tadalafil to treat erectile dysfunction.
Is tadalafil the same as Cialis?
Tadalafil has the same active ingredient as Cialis. The only difference is that Cialis is a branded medication, and tadalafil is the generic alternative. This means tadalafil is significantly cheaper than Cialis, despite there being no clinical difference in how they work.
How does tadalafil work?
Tadalafil works by blocking a natural substance in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5).
PDE-5 breaks down the molecules released when you’re sexually aroused. These molecules relax and widen the blood vessels in the penis, increasing blood flow.
Blocking PDE-5 means that you’re able to get more blood to the penis and maintain an erection.
How long does tadalafil take to work?
Tadalafil will usually start to work within 30-60 minutes. However, it won’t work on its own. You’ll need to be sexually aroused to get an erection.
How long does tadalafil last?
Tadalafil lasts longer than most other erectile dysfunction pills. It stays in your system for up to 36 hours, much longer than Viagra, which lasts between 4-6 hours. This can give you greater freedom in the bedroom.
How effective is tadalafil for erectile dysfunction?
Tadalafil is considered one of the most effective treatments available for erectile dysfunction. Clinical evidence shows that around 81% of men who take it report a significant improvement in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection.
Tadalafil dosages
Tadalafil dosages can be divided into two categories: those you take daily and those you take on demand.
The standard starting dose is 10mg, which may be increased to 20mg based on response.
As the effects may last longer than 24 hours, you’re not recommended to take the 10mg or 20mg tablets every day.
| Dose | Description |
| 2.5mg | This is the lowest dose available for tadalafil and is designed to be taken every day at roughly the same time. This builds up a consistent level of the medication in your system, so you don’t need to plan sexual activity around taking the tablet. |
| 5mg | This is another dose designed to be taken every day and may be prescribed if you haven’t seen the desired effect at 2.5mg. Additionally, tadalafil 5mg is the standard dose used to treat an enlarged prostate. |
| 10mg | This is the standard dose of tadalafil usually prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s a higher dose that should be taken ‘as needed’, not on a daily basis. |
| 20mg | This is the highest dose of tadalafil available and is also taken as needed. It’s often recommended if you’ve been taking 10mg and find that it’s not working well enough for you. |
What’s the maximum dose of tadalafil in 24 hours?
The maximum dose of tadalafil in 24 hours depends on the strength that you’re currently taking. No matter what you have been prescribed, you should not take tadalafil more than once a day.
How to take tadalafil tablets
Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. This makes it different to other ED treatments, which typically work best if you have an empty stomach.
You can take tadalafil in two ways, depending on your dosage:
2.5mg and 5mg: once daily
- Take one tablet every day at roughly the same time, whether or not you plan to have sex.
- It may take a few days of consistent use before you notice the full effect, as the medication needs to build up to a steady level in your system.
10mg and 20mg: on demand
- Take one tablet at least 30 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. It can, however, remain effective for up to 36 hours, so there is flexibility in timing.
Can you take tadalafil every day?
You can take tadalafil every day so long as you are on lower doses (2.5mg, 5mg). This allows you to keep a steady level of the medicine in your system.
This is an especially good option for people who do not want to worry about planning and would like to be more spontaneous.
Tadalafil side effects
Like all medication, tadalafil can cause some side effects. Common tadalafil side effects occur in more than one in 100 people, and include:
- headaches
- nausea
- facial flushing
- indigestion
- muscle aches
For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.
How long do tadalafil side effects last?
Side effects will usually go away between a few days to a week after starting the medication and should stop when you stop taking the tablets.
You should speak to a doctor or pharmacist if a side effect is bothering you or does not go away.
How to manage the side effects of tadalafil
To manage the side effects, you can:
- Headaches: Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol and speak to a pharmacist about taking a painkiller.
- Nausea: Stick to simple meals (avoid rich or spicy food).
- Facial flushing: Cut down on coffee, tea and alcohol.
- Indigestion: If you need to ease the discomfort – take an antacid – but do not put off going to the doctor if it bothers you.
- Muscle aches: If you are experiencing muscle aches that are not from exercise or physical work then speak to your pharmacist about a suitable painkiller.
When to avoid tadalafil
You should avoid taking tadalafil if you:
- have had a recent heart attack or stroke (in the last 3-6 months)
- have severe liver disease
- have very low blood pressure
- are allergic to tadalafil or its ingredients
Tadalafil interactions
Some medications do not mix well with tadalafil. You should inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
- nitrates for chest pain, such as glyceryl trinitrate
- riociguat for pulmonary hypertension
Do you need a prescription for tadalafil?
You do need a prescription for the 2.5mg, 5mg and 20mg doses of tadalafil. While you can get a prescription for tadalafil 10mg, it is available over the counter as Cialis Together, Stamiz and Avarante. These over-the-counter products may be more expensive, however.
Can you get tadalafil on the NHS?
You can only get a prescription for tadalafil on the NHS if you have a specific condition, such as multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury. If you do not meet the NHS criteria, you may get a private prescription from a doctor, meaning you’ll need to pay the full cost.
Alternatives to tadalafil
If tadalafil isn’t working for you, then there are other medications that you can take to help with erectile dysfunction.
To see more about what the best ED pills are, we’ve written a detailed comparison to see what could work well for you.
The most common PDE-5 inhibitors to treat ED are:
There are also natural alternatives and lifestyle changes you can make, like Kegel exercises to help with erectile dysfunction.
Sources
- How and when to take tadalafil. NHS. [Accessed 26/02/2026]
- Side effects of tadalafil. NHS. [Accessed 26/02/2026]
- Efficacy and safety of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results of integrated analyses. PubMed. [Accessed 26/02/2026]
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