If you take tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, you'll know it's usually taken as a single dose before sex. But there's another way to take it that many men find more convenient: a low dose every day, whenever sex happens. This is often called tadalafil daily, or by the brand name Cialis Daily.
This guide explains how tadalafil daily works, who it tends to suit, how it compares with taking it as needed, the dose you can expect and the side effects to know about. It should help you work out whether a daily tablet is right for you, though the final decision is always one to make with a prescriber.
Same medicine, different routine. Tadalafil daily trades planning around sex for one small tablet a day.
What is tadalafil daily?
Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors). It relaxes the blood vessels that supply the penis, letting more blood flow in when you're sexually aroused.
You still need sexual stimulation for it to work. The tablet supports the natural process rather than replacing it.
Tadalafil comes in four strengths. The higher strengths, 10mg and 20mg, are designed to be taken as needed before sex. The lower strengths, 2.5mg and 5mg, are designed to be taken once every day. It's these low daily doses people mean when they talk about tadalafil daily.1
Daily tadalafil uses the 2.5mg or 5mg strength. The 10mg and 20mg tablets aren't meant to be taken every day.
The medicine itself is identical. What changes is how you take it.
Instead of timing a tablet around a specific occasion, you take a small amount at the same time each day, so a steady level builds up in your body. Once that level is established, you can get an erection whenever you're aroused, without planning around a dose.
How does tadalafil daily work?
Tadalafil has a long half-life of around 17.5 hours, which is much longer than most other ED medicines.2 The half-life is how long it takes for the level of a medicine in your body to fall by half.
That long half-life is what makes a once-a-day tablet practical. The medicine doesn't clear out of your system between doses, so a small amount each day keeps the level fairly steady.
When you first start, it takes a few days for tadalafil to build up to a steady, effective level. So a daily tablet isn't an instant treatment.
Most men find it reaches its full effect within about five days. Give it time during the first week, rather than assuming it isn't working.
Because the medicine is always there at a low level, there's no need to take a tablet before sex or wait for it to kick in. For many men, that's the main appeal. It separates the treatment from the moment.
Tadalafil daily vs as-needed: which suits you?
Both approaches use the same medicine, and both work. The right one mostly depends on how often you expect to have sex, and how much you value spontaneity.
The as-needed approach uses a higher dose, usually 10mg, increased to 20mg if needed, taken at least 30 minutes before sex.1 Because tadalafil can stay effective for up to 36 hours, there's less pressure to get the timing exactly right than with shorter-acting treatments. This tends to suit men who have sex less often and would rather only take a tablet when they need it.
The daily approach uses a low dose every day. It tends to suit men who expect to have sex more often, generally around twice a week or more, and would rather not think about timing at all. The trade-off is that you take a tablet every day whether or not you have sex, and you need to keep on top of it.
Thinking of switching between daily and as-needed? Talk to your prescriber first, as the doses are different.
Neither option is better overall. It comes down to your routine and what you prefer.
Weighing up different medicines rather than just how to take one? Our guide to sildenafil versus tadalafil compares the two most common treatments. And our article on why timing matters for ED medication looks at the as-needed approach in more detail.
What dose of tadalafil daily will I take?
For daily use, the recommended dose is 5mg once a day at roughly the same time each day, with or without food.1 Some men start on, or move to, a lower 2.5mg daily dose depending on how well they tolerate it. Your prescriber will decide the right starting point for you.
A few practical points on taking it:
- Take one tablet a day and no more. If a dose doesn't seem to be working straight away, do not take an extra tablet to make up for it.
- Try to take it at the same time each day, so it fits into a routine you'll remember.
- Do not take daily tadalafil at the same time as any other ED medicine.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, but do not double up to make up for a missed tablet.
Your prescriber should check from time to time whether a daily tablet still suits you, so it's worth keeping in touch about how you're getting on.1
Link your tablet to something you already do every day, like brushing your teeth, so it's hard to forget.
Can you take tadalafil every day safely?
For most men who are suitable for it, taking tadalafil daily is a recognised, well-studied way to use it. The daily dose is specifically licensed for continuous use, and low-dose tadalafil has been studied over many months.3
That said, tadalafil isn't suitable for everyone, however you take it. It must not be taken with medicines called nitrates (often prescribed for chest pain or angina) or with recreational "poppers", because the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.1
It also must not be used by men with certain heart conditions for whom sex isn't advised. A prescriber will check your medical history and current medicines before approving treatment, which is why a proper consultation matters.
Do not take tadalafil with nitrates or poppers. The combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
One possible advantage of the daily approach is that it can be easier to tolerate. The daily dose is lower than the as-needed dose, so side effects can be milder for some men, and they often settle over the first week or two.1 That's a general pattern rather than a guarantee, and everyone's different.
Side effects of tadalafil daily
Tadalafil is generally well tolerated. When side effects do happen, they're usually mild to moderate and tend to ease as your body gets used to the medicine.4
Because they come from the way tadalafil relaxes blood vessels all over your body, not just in the penis, the most common ones are fairly predictable:
- Headache - the most frequently reported side effect, thought to be caused by blood vessels widening
- Indigestion - including a feeling of fullness or mild stomach discomfort
- Back pain and muscle aches - these can appear around 12 to 24 hours after a dose and usually settle within a couple of days
- Facial flushing - a warm feeling or redness in your face, usually short-lived
- Nasal congestion - a stuffy or runny nose
Less common effects can include dizziness, nausea and blurred vision. There's a full list in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine, and it's worth reading before you start.
Some side effects are rare but need prompt attention. Seek urgent medical help if you have chest pain, a sudden change or loss of vision or hearing, or an erection that lasts more than four hours. That's a condition called priapism, which can damage the penis if it isn't treated quickly.1
An erection lasting more than four hours is a medical emergency. Go to A&E straight away.
When to seek further advice
Speak to your GP or prescribing clinician if you:
- Find that daily tadalafil isn't improving your erections after a week or two of consistent use
- Experience side effects that are troublesome or don't settle
- Are starting any new medication, so interactions can be checked
- Have any concerns about your heart health or fitness for sexual activity
Get immediate medical attention if you have chest pain, sudden vision or hearing changes, or a prolonged erection. Do not stop or change how you take your medicine without advice. If it isn't working as you'd expect, a clinician can check you're taking it correctly and discuss other options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does tadalafil daily take to work?
Tadalafil daily is not an instant treatment. Because it's a low dose that builds up gradually, it usually takes around five days of taking it consistently before it reaches its full effect. If your erections have not improved after a week or two of daily use, speak to a prescriber rather than taking an extra tablet.
What is the best time of day to take tadalafil daily?
There's no single "best" time. What matters is taking it at roughly the same time every day, so pick a time that fits your routine and is easy to remember. It can be taken with or without food, and because the medicine stays at a steady level in your body, you do not need to time it around sex.
Is it safe to take tadalafil every day?
For men who are suitable for the medicine, the daily regimen is a licensed and well-studied way to take tadalafil, and low-dose tadalafil has been studied in men over many months. It is not suitable for everyone, though: it must not be taken with nitrate medicines or "poppers", or by men with certain heart conditions. A prescriber checks your medical history and other medicines before approving treatment.
Can you take 10mg or 20mg of tadalafil daily?
No. The 10mg and 20mg strengths are intended for as-needed use before sex, not continuous daily use. The daily regimen uses the lower 2.5mg or 5mg strengths, which are designed to be taken every day. Never take more than one tablet in 24 hours, and do not combine tadalafil with other ED medicines.
Is tadalafil daily available on the NHS?
Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction is usually provided privately rather than on the NHS, though there are some exceptions where a GP can prescribe it, for example when ED is linked to certain medical conditions. Whether taken daily or as needed, it's a prescription-only medicine, so you'll need a consultation with a prescriber first. Your GP can advise whether you qualify for NHS treatment in your circumstances.
How does tadalafil daily work?
Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that relaxes the blood vessels supplying the penis, making it easier to get an erection when you're sexually aroused. Taken daily at a low dose, it keeps a steady level of medicine in your body thanks to its long half-life of around 17.5 hours, so you can be spontaneous without taking a tablet beforehand. Sexual stimulation is still needed for it to work.
References
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Tadalafil 5mg film-coated tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. Reviewed 2026. medicines.org.uk/emc
- Washington SL 3rd, Shindel AW. A once-daily dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: compliance and efficacy. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2010;4:159-171. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S9067
- Hatzichristou D, et al. Tadalafil 5mg once daily for the treatment of erectile dysfunction during a 6-month observational study (EDATE). BMC Urology. 2015;15:111. doi:10.1186/s12894-015-0107-5
- National Health Service (NHS). Tadalafil: side effects and how to take it. nhs.uk. nhs.uk/medicines/tadalafil
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication and speak to a healthcare professional if you have specific concerns.