Cialis (Tadalafil) 101 Guide: What Is It, How It Works, And How To Properly Take It

What Is Cialis And How Does It Help Treat Erectile Dysfunction?

Cialis is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. The main active ingredient in Cialis is Tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor.

PDE5 inhibitors help slow the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) from regulating the chemicals in your blood which can make it more difficult for you to get and maintain an erection.

By inhibiting and slowing PDE5, Cialis is able to relax the walls of the blood vessels and allows the blood to flow more readily to create and maintain an erection

How Effective Is Cialis?

Studies have shown that tadalafil (Cialis) is highly effective in treating ED.

In a clinical trial involving 4,000 men, tadalafil was shown to improve ED in over 80% of the participants. Additionally, tadalafil has been shown to be effective for up to 36 hours, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a long-lasting ED treatment.

Compared to other ED treatments, tadalafil (Cialis) has several advantages. For example, it has a fast onset of action, and its effects can be felt within 30 minutes of taking the medication. Tadalafil (Cialis) is also well-tolerated by most men, with few side effects reported.

How Long Cialis Takes to Work + Lasting Time

The effects of Cialis normally last up to 36 hours and is noticeably longer than the effects of Viagra -which last up to 4 hours.

This does not mean you will have an erection that will last almost a day and a half. But you will be able to achieve an erection within that 36 hour period.

How Do I Properly Take Cialis (Tadalafil) For Maximum Effect?

Tadalafil is available in two forms: an oral tablet and a liquid form. The oral tablet is available in 5, 10, and 20mg strengths and can be taken with or without food. The liquid form is only available in 2.5mg/mL and should be taken orally, without food.

For ED treatment, the recommended starting dose is 10mg, taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity.

The maximum recommended dose is 20mg. If the 10mg dose is not effective, the dose may be increased to 20mg. It's important to note that tadalafil should not be taken more than once per day.

Meal Timing

Cialis/Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. But on a full-stomach, the fat content from your meal may affect the absorption of the drug. So, it's better to have a lighter meal with less fat content if you plan on using the medicine.

Things to Avoid

Despite its many benefits, it is important to be mindful of certain precautions when taking Cialis (Tadalafil). Here are some things to avoid:

Nitrates

Nitrates are commonly prescribed to treat angina (chest pain) caused by heart disease (coronary artery disease).

Combining nitrates with Cialis could lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, causing you to experience side effects like dizziness and fainting.

Alpha Blockers

Alpha blockers like Doxazosin, Terazosin, and Tamsulosin are used to treat high blood pressure or prostate problems.

Taking them together with Cialis could lead to a drop in blood pressure. This could potentially lead you to experience dizziness and fainting. In more severe cases, low blood pressure could lead to strokes or heart attacks.

Soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) Stimulators

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators like Vericiguat (Verquvo) and Riociguat (Adempas)  are used to treat heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) respectively by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Similar to nitrates, sGc stimulators should not be taken with Cialis as they could cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low.

It is important that you inform your doctor about any medical conditions you have or other medication you are currently taking during your initial consultation so that they can determine whether it is safe for you to take Cialis.

If you experience any of these side effects when taking Cialis along with your other medication, you should stop taking the medications immediately.

Here at Noah, we offer free follow-up consults so you can check in with your doctor to discuss these side effects and what the next steps are to ensure the best and safest possible experience.  

‍Alcohol

Alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of tadalafil and increase the risk of side effects, so it is best to avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol when taking the drug.

Grapefruit

Components in grapefruit, like furanocoumarin, can inhibit the breakdown of the medicine, and increase the amount absorbed into the body. This can lead to excessively strong effects or severe side effects.

Dairy

Dairy products and fatty beverages can create a layer on the stomach and intestines, which slows down the digestion and absorption of the drug. This can reduce its effectiveness.

Other ED Medications Like Viagra

You should only take one pill of Cialis or Viagra per day. Even after the effects of Cialis wear off, the metabolized components continue to affect the blood for about 24 hours. Taking another ED medication without a 24-hour interval can increase the concentration of active ingredients, leading to health risks like low blood pressure.

Potential Side Effects

The more common side effects that can occur with Cialis include:

• Headache
• Upset Stomach
• Back Pain
• Muscle Aches
• Flushing (Reddish Skin)
• Stuffy Or Runny Nose
• Diarrhea

It is important that you contact your doctor immediately if you begin to experience the following serious side effects:

• You experience priapism, the prolonged erection of the penis that lasts more than 4 hours
• The dizziness, nausea or chest pain you experience doesn’t go away after having sex
• You experience a sudden decrease or loss in hearing
• You experience a sudden loss of vision in either one or both eyes

What Is The Difference Between Cialis And Tadalafil?

So what is the difference between Cialis and Tadalafil (the generic equivalent of Cialis)?

You might have noticed that both contain the same active ingredient: Tadalafil.

This means that the chemical content of Cialis and Tadalafil are completely identical and will produce the exact same benefits. This means if you take Tadalafil, you will be able to enjoy the effects of it for up to 36 hours.

However, they do differ in some significant ways.

1. Brand-Name Versus Generic

Cialis is a brand-name ED medication sold and marketed by Eli Lilly, the American pharmaceutical company, while Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis and can vary in its appearance depending on the pharmaceutical manufacturer

2. Physical Appearance

Cialis tablets are typically yellow, oval-shaped, and film-coated. They come in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, or 20mg doses.

Tadalafil might have a similar appearance, but it can also come in different colors and shapes depending on its pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Whether it's branded or generic, any difference in how these two medications look is simply cosmetic and has no impact on their medical benefits. Both Cialis and Tadalafil will work exactly the same.

3. Cost of Cialis (Branded) vs Tadalafil (Generic Cialis)

Cialis is manufactured by Eli Lilly, and as a well known ED medication, the company is able to charge the medication at a premium price.

As a generic, Tadalafil is produced by several different manufacturers and sold by any licensed pharmaceutical provider. This means the market is very competitive and helps drive the price of this generic medication down.

Cialis can cost anywhere from 2 to 3x more than the generic version of Tadalafil.

Brand-name Cialis 20mg is priced at up to S$205.20 for a box of 8 tablets, whereas Tadalafil (generic Cialis) costs S$116.64 for the same quantity.

For a month's supply, Brand-name Cialis 5mg can amount to S$226.90, whereas an equivalent amount of Tadalafil 5mg is priced at S$145.80.

As mentioned earlier, there is no difference between Cialis and Tadalafil. Tadalafil will work in the same way as its brand-name counterpart, providing the same clinical benefits as Cialis and will be able to treat ED with the same level of effectiveness.

The biggest difference that Tadalafil will have is to your wallet, as it is significantly cheaper than brand-name Cialis.

What Is The Right Dosage Of Cialis For Me: Cialis 5mg vs Cialis 20mg

Cialis is available in 2 doses: 5mg and 20mg. While both have the same active ingredient, they differ in their potency and frequency of use. 

Benefits of Cialis 5mg: 

Taking Cialis 5mg daily allows you to achieve and maintain an erection at any time without the need to plan ahead for sexual activity.

You won't have to wait for the 30 - 60 minutes it takes for your medication to take effect because Cialis 5mg remains in your system continuously. This makes it incredibly convenient for users seeking a more spontaneous and natural sexual experience. 

Since it is a lower dose, daily Cialis is also less likely to cause side effects compared to its 20mg counterpart.

Drawbacks of Cialis 5mg: 

Due to its lower dosage, Daily Cialis often requires several days of regular use before it becomes fully effective.

If you are prone to experiencing mild side effects like nasal congestion, headaches, or muscle aches when using Cialis, opting for Cialis 5mg (daily Cialis) may become inconvenient and bothersome, as these side effects can be persistent due to its continuous presence in your system.

Benefits of Cialis 20mg:

Thanks to its higher potency, Cialis 20mg takes only 30 to 60 minutes to start working. Additionally, Cialis 20mg is less affected by food, allowing you to take it with a meal without significant delay in its effectiveness.

Unlike other ED treatments, Cialis 20mg is one of the longest-lasting ED medications, with effects lasting up to 36 hours. This allows you to enjoy a more satisfying sexual experience.

Drawback of Cialis 20mg:

As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest drawbacks of Cialis 20mg is that it requires you to plan ahead before having sex. While the wait time is relatively short (30 - 60 minutes), this might take the spontaneity out of your sexual experience. 

Another drawback of its higher dosage is that you might experience more intense side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cialis  

Cialis vs Viagra, Which Is Better For ED?

Viagra is a brand-name prescription oral medication pill used to treat male erectile dysfunction (ED).

Similar to Cialis, Viagra is also a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors help slow the enzyme phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) from regulating the chemicals in your blood which can make it more difficult for you to get and maintain an erection.

While both Cialis and Viagra are effective ED treatments, Cialis 20mg does offer some advantages over Viagra 100mg.

Benefits of Cialis 20mg:

It lasts longer: As mentioned earlier, one of Cialis 20 mg's biggest draws is that it can last up to 36 hours, compared to Viagra whose effects only last for approximately 4 hours.

Less affected by food: While it's recommended that you avoid heavy meals before consuming either of these ED medications for the best results, Cialis is less affected by food compared to Viagra. This means you'll still be good to have with a meal.

However, Cialis 20mg does also have some disadvantages compared to Viagra 100mg.

Drawbacks of Cialis 20mg:

It's too long-lasting: While the biggest benefit of taking Cialis 20mg is its long-lasting effects that go on for approximately 36 hours, some might find it too long.

More persistent side effects: Due to how long it stays in the body, you might experience more persistent side effects with Cialis 20mg.

Is 20mg of Cialis equal to 100mg of Viagra?

These strengths are the highest doses available for their respective medications, with 20mg being the maximum dose of Cialis and 100mg being the maximum dose of Viagra.

While both are effective ED treatments, the main difference between the two medications is how long they last for.

Is It OK To Exercise After Taking Cialis?

It is recommended to avoid exercising immediately after taking Cialis/Tadalafil. ED medications like these have vasodilatory effects and exercising can excessively increase blood flow throughout the body, potentially causing a drastic drop in blood pressure.

This can lead to side effects like dizziness or lightheadedness and, in some cases, may worsen symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Can Cialis Be Taken With Other ED medications?

Taking Cialis with other ED medications like Viagra (Sildenafil) or Levitra (Vardenafil) is not recommended.

As most ED medications are PDE5 inhibitors, taking more than one ED medication at a time might increase your likelihood of experiencing side effects like dizziness, headaches, and flushing. You could even experience more serious side effects like low blood pressure, fainting, or even priapism.

If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, it is advisable that you consult a doctor.

Here at Noah, our doctors are best equipped with the knowledge to help you ascertain the root cause of your ED and can determine whether generic Viagra is right for you. They will be able to advise you on the best treatment suited for you, and can also prescribe you the right medication should you need it.