If you take tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, you'll know it's usually taken as a single dose before sex. There's another way to take it that many men find more convenient - a low dose taken every day, regardless of when sex happens. This is often called tadalafil daily, or by its branded name, Cialis Daily.
This guide explains how tadalafil daily works, who it tends to suit, how it compares with the as-needed approach, the dose you can expect, and the side effects to be aware of. It should help you work out whether a daily tablet is the right fit for you, though the final decision is always one to make with a prescriber.
What Is Tadalafil Daily?
Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors). It works by relaxing the blood vessels that supply the penis, which allows more blood to flow in when you're sexually aroused. Sexual stimulation is still needed 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 that people mean when they talk about tadalafil daily.1
The difference is not the medicine itself, which is identical, but the pattern of taking it. Instead of timing a tablet around a specific occasion, you take a small amount at the same time each day so that 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 the time it takes for the level of a drug in the body to fall by half. A long half-life is what makes a once-a-day regimen practical. The medicine does not clear out of your system between doses, so taking a small amount each day keeps the level fairly consistent.
When you first start, it takes a few days for tadalafil to build up to a steady, effective level. This is why a daily tablet is not an instant treatment. Most men find it reaches full effect within about five days of starting, so you should allow the treatment some time to start having an effect during the first week rather than assuming it isn't working.
Because the medicine is always present at a low level, there's no need to take a tablet before sex or wait for it to take effect on the day. 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 are effective. The right one depends mostly 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 exact than with shorter-acting treatments. This tends to suit men who have sex less frequently and prefer to take a tablet only when they need it.
The daily approach uses a low dose taken every day. It tends to suit men who anticipate sex more often, generally around twice a week or more, and who 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 taking it consistently.
Neither option is better in a general sense. It comes down to your routine and preference. If you're weighing up the wider choice of medicines rather than just how to take one of them, our guide to sildenafil versus tadalafil covers how the two most common treatments compare, 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 taken once a day at approximately the same time each day, with or without food.1 Some men start on, or are moved to, a lower 2.5mg daily dose depending on how well they tolerate the medicine. A prescriber decides 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 compensate.
- 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 review whether staying on a daily regimen still suits you from time to time, so it's worth keeping in touch about how you're getting on.1
Can You Take Tadalafil Every Day Safely?
For most men who are suitable for the medicine, taking tadalafil daily is a recognised and well-studied way to use it. The daily regimen is specifically licensed for continuous use, and low-dose tadalafil has been studied in men over periods of many months.3
That said, tadalafil is not suitable for everyone, and this applies whichever way 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 is inadvisable. A prescriber will check your medical history and current medicines before approving treatment, which is why a proper consultation matters.
One advantage sometimes reported with the daily approach is tolerability. Because the daily dose is lower than the as-needed dose, side effects can be less pronounced for some men, and they often settle over the first week or two as the body adjusts.1 This is a general pattern rather than a guarantee, and individual experiences vary.
Side Effects of Tadalafil Daily
Tadalafil is generally well tolerated, and where side effects do occur, they're usually mild to moderate and tend to ease as your body gets used to the medicine.4 Because they stem from the way tadalafil relaxes blood vessels around the body, not just in the penis, the most common ones are fairly predictable.
The most commonly reported side effects include:
- Headache - the most frequently reported side effect, thought to be caused by the widening of blood vessels
- 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 sensation or redness in the face, usually short-lived
- Nasal congestion - a stuffy or runny nose
Less common effects can include dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision. A full list is provided in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication, and it's worth reading before you start.
Some side effects are rare but need prompt attention. Seek urgent medical help if you experience chest pain, a sudden change or loss of vision or hearing, or an erection that lasts more than four hours (a condition called priapism, which can damage the penis if not treated quickly).1
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.
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.