How long does tadalafil last?

Tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have a constant erection for those days, just that you’ll have a longer window in which you can get hard and stay hard when you’re sexually aroused.

Can I take tadalafil every day?

Yes you can. Tadalafil is available as a daily treatment, which can be a great option if you have sex regularly or simply prefer not to plan your sex life around taking a tablet.

What if I miss a dose of tadalafil?

If you're taking tadalafil daily and miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it's nearly time for your next dose. Don't take two doses together to make up for a missed tablet.

Tadalafil dosage: which strength is right for you?

Tadalafil is a go-to treatment for erectile dysfunction, especially if you don't want to plan sex around a short window of effectiveness. Unlike sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil can work for up to 36 hours, giving you more flexibility. For this reason, it’s sometimes called “the weekend pill”.

Tadalafil (often known by the brand name Cialis) also comes as a low-dose daily tablet that allows you to get hard whenever the moment’s right.

Here's what you need to know about tadalafil doses, from the lowest daily dose to the maximum 20mg tablet.

What dosages of tadalafil are available?

Tadalafil is available in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets for erectile dysfunction. Which one you need depends on how often you have sex, whether you want to take tadalafil daily or only when you need it, and how your body responds.

The goal isn't to take the biggest dose. It's to find the smallest dose that gets the results you want.

Find the right routine for you

Choose between a daily treatment for round-the-clock readiness, or an on-demand option for when the moment’s right.

Tadalafil 2.5mg

Tadalafil 2.5mg is the lowest available dose for ED. It's generally taken once a day rather than before sex. It’s commonly prescribed for men who want more spontaneity around sex. You don't need to take an extra tablet before sex.

Tadalafil 5mg

Tadalafil 5mg is another daily treatment option. Because you're taking a lower dose every day, tadalafil builds up to a steady level in your body rather than giving you one large dose before sex.

Tadalafil 10mg

Tadalafil 10mg is a common starting dose when taking tadalafil as needed, rather than daily. It's usually taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. You don't necessarily need to take it every day—it stays in your system for much longer than sildenafil.

Tadalafil 20mg

If 10mg doesn't work well enough, your clinician may recommend trying 20mg. It may be prescribed if 10mg isn't providing a strong enough effect and you don't experience troublesome side effects.

What's the maximum dose of tadalafil in 24 hours?

For tadalafil taken as needed for erectile dysfunction, the maximum recommended dose is 20mg once in 24 hours.

Tadalafil lasts a long time, so taking another tablet later the same day won't necessarily improve your erection. It can simply increase the amount of medicine in your system and your risk of side effects.

If you're taking tadalafil every day, the dose is much lower. Don't combine a daily dose with an additional tablet before sex unless your clinician has specifically told you to.

Do higher tadalafil doses increase side effects?

Yes, they can do. Don’t take more tadalafil than your clinician recommends as it can increase the risk of tadalafil side effects.

Common side effects include:

headache
indigestion
facial flushing
blocked or stuffy nose
back pain
muscle aches
dizziness

When it comes to tadalafil, more isn't necessarily better. The sweet spot is a dose that gives you a reliable erection without unnecessary side effects.

When to change your tadalafil dosage

If you don’t think tadalafil is working for you, or you’re getting too many side effects, speak to your clinician before changing your dose yourself.

A dose adjustment might be considered if:

Tadalafil isn't working well enough: Your clinician may increase your dose from 10mg to 20mg if appropriate.

You're getting side effects: Dropping to a lower dose may reduce unwanted effects.

You're taking tadalafil too frequently: If you're regularly taking on-demand tadalafil, a daily 2.5mg or 5mg dose could be more convenient.

Your health or medication changes: Some health conditions and medicines can affect which tadalafil dose is safe for you.

And remember: tadalafil only works when you're sexually aroused. If you've tried it correctly several times and it's still not working, speak to your clinician rather than simply taking more.

If you’re relying on tadalafil often, it’s worth exploring possible causes of your erectile dysfunction, such as low testosterone.

Who shouldn't take tadalafil?

Tadalafil is a safe and effective medication for erectile dysfunction, but it’s not suitable for everyone.

You shouldn't take it if you:

Take nitrate medicines for angina or chest pain (or take “poppers” recreationally).
Have been advised to avoid sex because of a serious heart condition.
Have very low blood pressure.
Have previously had an allergic reaction to tadalafil.

Tell your prescriber if you have heart, liver or kidney problems, have recently had a heart attack or stroke, or take medicines for blood pressure or an enlarged prostate.

Tadalafil can interact with some medicines, so make sure your clinician knows about everything you're taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.

Get your confidence up

At Voy, our clinicians can assess your health, symptoms and treatment goals to help determine whether tadalafil is right for you, and which dose is most appropriate.

And if your ED is accompanied by symptoms such as low sex drive, fatigue or reduced strength, we can help investigate whether an underlying health issue, such as low testosterone, could be contributing. Take our sexual health quiz today for a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Tadalafil dosage