Tadalafil side effects

Tadalafil is a popular treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), helping millions of men get and keep erections. Like any medicine, it can cause side effects. For most men, they're mild, temporary and nothing to worry about though.

Here’s what to expect and how to reduce their impact if you do experience side effects.

Key takeaways

• Tadalafil is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects—such as headaches, flushing, indigestion, a blocked nose, and muscle aches—being mild and short-lived.
• Because tadalafil remains active in the body longer than sildenafil (Viagra), mild side effects can last somewhat longer before fading.
• Higher doses carry a higher likelihood of side effects.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an erection lasting over 4 hours, chest pain, sudden vision or hearing loss, or allergic reactions.
• Drinking water, eating lighter meals, and gentle stretching can help ease common mild side effects.

What are the side effects of tadalafil?

The good news is that most men don't experience any serious problems with tadalafil, and many don't notice any side effects at all.

When they do happen, they're usually mild and temporary. Tadalafil doesn't just increase blood flow to the penis; it also relaxes blood vessels elsewhere in the body, which can lead to effects like headaches or facial flushing.

Common tadalafil side effects

The most common side effects of tadalafil include:

Headache

Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated may help, and many men find that their headache settles within a few hours.

Flushing

Some men notice warmth or redness across their face, neck or chest after taking tadalafil.

Although it can feel uncomfortable, it's usually harmless and fades as the medication wears off.

Indigestion

Tadalafil can relax muscles in your digestive system as well as blood vessels, which may lead to heartburn or indigestion. Eating smaller meals and avoiding very rich or spicy foods around the time you take your tablet may help reduce symptoms.

Blocked nose

A stuffy nose is another common side effect. Like flushing, it's caused by widened blood vessels and usually improves without treatment.

Back pain and muscle aches

Back pain and muscle aches don't always appear straight away. Some men notice them 12 to 24 hours after taking tadalafil, particularly with higher doses. Although the exact reason isn't fully understood, these symptoms are usually mild and settle within 48 hours. Gentle stretching or over-the-counter pain relief, if suitable for you, may help.

Dizziness

Tadalafil usually won’t affect your ability to drive, ride a bike, or use machinery, but some men report feeling dizzy. If you feel dizzy after taking it, wait until the dizziness stops before doing any of these activities.

Serious tadalafil side effects

Tadalafil can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of tadalafil include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• sudden problems with your hearing or eyesight
• heart palpitations
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• prolonged or painful erection
• seizures
• chest pain

Seek urgent medical advice if you’re taking tadalafil and think you’re experiencing serious side effects.

How long do tadalafil side effects last?

Side effects usually improve as tadalafil leaves your body.

Because tadalafil remains active for up to 36 hours, mild side effects such as headaches, flushing or a blocked nose can sometimes last longer than they would with sildenafil (which contains the same active ingredient as Viagra).

Back pain and muscle aches typically resolve within 48 hours.

If your side effects are severe, don't improve after a couple of days, or keep happening every time you take tadalafil, it's worth speaking to a clinician. A lower dose or a different ED treatment may be a better fit.

Do tadalafil side effects vary by dose?

The types of side effects are broadly the same across all tadalafil strengths. But higher doses are generally more likely to cause them.

Tadalafil 2.5mg and 5mg side effects

The 2.5mg and 5mg tablets are usually prescribed for daily use.

Because these doses are lower, many men experience fewer side effects compared with taking a higher dose before sex.

Common tadalafil 5mg side effects still include headache, flushing and indigestion, but they're often mild and may become less noticeable as your body gets used to the medication.

Tadalafil 10mg side effects

10mg is a common starting dose for men taking tadalafil as needed, rather than daily.

Most men tolerate it well, but some experience headaches, flushing or nasal congestion after taking a tablet.

Tadalafil 20mg side effects

20mg is the highest recommended dose of tadalafil and isn’t used daily.

It's also the dose most likely to cause side effects simply because there's more of the medicine in your system.

That doesn't mean you'll experience problems, but headaches, flushing, muscle aches and back pain may be more noticeable than with lower doses.

What are the side effects of taking tadalafil daily?

As we mentioned, tadalafil can be prescribed as a low-dose tablet that's taken every day, rather than only before sex.

Many men worry that taking tadalafil daily means they'll experience side effects all the time. In reality, that's usually not the case.

Because the daily dose is lower, it's often well tolerated. Some men notice mild side effects when they first start taking it, but these often become less noticeable as their bodies adjust.

Are there long-term side effects of tadalafil?

Tadalafil is safe for long-term use when it's prescribed appropriately and taken as directed.

That said, tadalafil isn't suitable for everyone, and if you’re taking it long-term, you should have regular medication reviews. If your health changes or you start taking new medicines, it's worth checking with your clinician to see whether tadalafil is still the right option for you.

Can tadalafil affect your heart or blood pressure?

Tadalafil works by relaxing blood vessels, which can cause a small drop in blood pressure. This usually isn't a problem, but it can be dangerous if you take nitrate medications for chest pain (angina) or certain other medicines that also lower blood pressure.

You should also tell your clinician if you have:

• a history of heart disease.
• uncontrolled high or low blood pressure.
• a recent heart attack or stroke.
• significant liver or kidney disease.

Tadalafil vs sildenafil: Which has fewer side effects?

Tadalafil and sildenafil are both highly effective ED treatments and have very similar safety profiles.

Tadalafil's longer duration means greater spontaneity, but it also means side effects can last longer. Sildenafil leaves the body more quickly, but you need to time it more carefully before sex.

How to manage mild tadalafil side effects

Most tadalafil side effects can be managed at home and improve without treatment.

For headaches: Drink plenty of water and consider simple pain relief if appropriate.

For flushing and indigestion: Avoid large, rich or spicy meals around the time you take your tablet.

Back pain or muscle aches: Gentle stretching or over-the-counter pain relief may help.

When should you seek medical help?

While serious side effects are rare, some symptoms should never be ignored.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• An erection lasting longer than four hours (priapism)
• Chest pain after taking tadalafil
• Sudden loss of vision
• Sudden hearing loss
• Difficulty breathing or swelling of your face, lips or throat

You should also speak to your clinician if:

• Your side effects are severe or don't go away.
• Tadalafil isn't working after several attempts.
• You develop new health conditions or start taking new medications.

Get your confidence up

If you're worried about ED medication side effects, speak to your clinician. Sometimes lowering the dose or switching to another treatment is enough to solve the problem.

Erectile dysfunction isn't always caused by blood flow alone. If you've noticed symptoms such as a low sex drive, fatigue or reduced muscle strength alongside ED, low testosterone could be contributing. In those cases, treating the underlying cause may be just as important as treating the symptoms.

At Voy, our clinicians can help you find the treatment that's right for you. Whether that's tadalafil, sildenafil, or testosterone replacement therapy, we'll help you build a treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle and goals.