Tadalafil Product Information
Tadalafil is the generic, unbranded version of Cialis, and both are treatments for erectile dysfunction in adult men. Cialis and Tadalafil contain the active ingredient tadalafil and so are medically equivalent. In comparison with other erectile dysfunction treatments, tadalafil has a longer lasting effect.
Generic medications have the same active ingredient as their branded versions but available on the market at a lower price. Manufacturers of generic medicines have to show that the medicines are equally effective, that is, they have the same strength, quality, stability and efficacy.
Tadalafil comes in two different forms: tadalafil 36-hour and tadalafil daily. While the former can be taken at least half an hour prior to planned sexual activity, tadalafil daily tablets are taken everyday to give you the option to always be ready for sexual intercourse. Since tadalafil daily is taken everyday, it comes at lower strengths of 2.5mg and 5mg. Tadalafil 36 hour comes in 10mg tablets and 20mg tablets.
Depending on your lifestyle and preference, it is up to you whether you take tadalafil 36 hour or tadalafil daily. However, if you have not tried the treatment before, it is recommended that you try the lower dose first and see how you react and if you have any side effects. If you find that the medicine is not sufficient, or not having the desired effect, discuss the options with your GP or local pharmacist, who will be able to either recommend a higher strength, or a more suitable treatment for you.
Tadalafil belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5), which relaxes the blood vessels in the penis and allows the blood to flow. Combined with sexual stimulation, tadalafil helps to achieve and maintain the erectile function.
Tadalafil 36-hour (10mg, 20mg) - Swallow a single pill with water at least half an hour before you plan to have intercourse. You should start with the lower dose of 10mg and you can increase or decrease the dose as required. Do not take more than one tablet in a day.
Tadalafil daily (2.5mg, 5mg) - Take one tablet with water everyday at roughly the same time of day. Do not take more than one tablet per day. The starting recommended dose for Tadalafil Daily is 5mg, which can be adjusted as required.
Please note that if you are taking either Tadalafil Daily or Cialis Daily, it is NOT recommended that you take any other erectile dysfunction at the same time. This includes Viagra, Sildenafil, Cialis 36-hour, Levitra and Spedra.
Tadalafil is absorbed into the body quickly and so is fast-acting, allowing for sexual intercourse just 20 minutes to one hour after taking a tablet. It also needs sexual stimulation to be effective. The pill can be taken with or without food, but a large meal will slow the action of the medication so it will take longer to work.
With Tadalafil Daily, the low dose of the treatment can take up to 5 days to build up to its full potential but after that time, the effect of the daily treatment is continuous. Therefore, you do not have to wait and you will be ready for action whenever you like.
A single tablet of tadalafil will stay in your body for 36 hours as the active ingredient has a longer lasting action on the body compared to other erectile dysfunction treatments. Since Tadalafil Daily is taken everyday, the effect remains in the body so you can be ready for sexual activity at any time.
You should not take Tadalafil with any other PDE5 inhibitor unless specifically instructed by your doctor. If you would like to try two or more different ED medications, you can do as long as only 1 tablet of any treatment is taken in a 24 hour period. You can see our specially priced ED Trial Packs here
Watch our patient care expert explain everything you need to know about Tadalafil.
Tadalafil FAQs
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in the branded medication Cialis, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil is available as the generic version which is produced by alternative manufacturers at a lower price. Tadalafil comes in four different strengths; 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg.
The effects of Tadalafil can last for up to 36 hours. It takes around 30 minutes for Tadalafil to become active in the body, and will then assist in achieving and maintaining an erection. Tadalafil is also available in a daily dosage, where one tablet is taken at the same time every day, making you ready for intercourse at any time.
Tadalafil is a medication known as a PDE5 inhibitor. Normally, PDE5 causes blood vessels in the penis to return to their normal size, ending an erection. Tadalafil works by preventing PDE5 from operating in its normal function, thus extending the time an erection can be maintained.
The strength of Tadalafil will determine how you should take the medication. The lower strengths of 2.5mg or 5mg are for daily use to give you the option of always being ready for sexual intercourse. The higher strengths of 10mg or 20mg are for ‘when required’ use, and should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. This dosage is not meant for continuous daily use.
The starting recommended dosage of Tadalafil 36 Hour is 10mg. This dose should be taken on four separate occasions to prove its effectiveness.
The starting recommended dosage of Tadalafil Daily is 5mg. This should be taken at the same time every day to maintain a consistent level in your system.
Only one tablet of any dose of Cialis(Tadalafil) should be taken at any one time. Tadalafil should not be taken at the same time as any other erectile dysfunction medication.
Only one tablet of Tadalafil should be taken in any 24 hour period, regardless of the dose. It is generally recommended to take Tadalafil with water so that the tablet is easier to swallow. Taking Tadalafil with food may delay its effectiveness, so it is recommended to allow more than 30 minutes if taken after a meal.
Tadalafil can be fully effective in the body after 30 minutes but can take up to 2 hours to work, depending on circumstance. It will remain effective in the body for up to 36 hours, and during this time will help you achieve and maintain an erection. While taking Tadalafil, it is still necessary to be sexually aroused.
Tadalafil (Cialis) and Sildenafil (Viagra) are PDE5 inhibitors. Both Tadalafil and Sildenafil have a similar effect within the body, however, both medications may have a different level of effectiveness for each patient. Tadalafil has an effective time of 36 hours in the body whereas Sildenafil has an effective time of 4 hours.
For the ‘when required’ strength, you should take Tadalafil at least 30 minutes before you engage in sexual activity. If you take the daily dosage, it is recommended to take Tadalafil at the same time every day. Tadalafil can remain active in the body for up to 36 hours.
Tadalafil (Generic Cialis) Overview
| Cialis Daily |
|---|
| Strength
| 2.5mg
5mg |
| How long it lasts
| All day |
| Dosage
| Take one a day |
| How fast it works
| Immediately (Continuous effect) |
| Active Ingredient
| Tadalafil |
| Cialis (Tadalafil) |
|---|
| Strength
| 10mg
20mg |
| How long it lasts
| Up to 36 Hours |
| Dosage
| One tablet 30 minutes before |
| How fast it works
| 15 - 30 minutes |
| Active Ingredient
| Tadalafil |
Tadalafil Side Effects
Like all medications, Tadalafil has side effects that affect some men that take this medication. These occur for every 1 in 10-100 men. Some common side effects of Tadalafil are:
- Headaches
- Face Flushing
- Indigestion
Notably, Tadalafil has fewer side effects than other medications used to treat erectile dysfunction. In fact, many men who experience nasal congestion, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea with other drugs find that Tadalafil doesn’t give them these symptoms.
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Important: We advise you to always read the patient information leaflet inside the medication box, as the generic medication may not always entirely match the patient information leaflet listed. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Written and reviewed by our qualified team