Tadalafil is also used by men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men who have this condition have difficulty weeing, with a decreased flow amongst other symptoms. Tadalafil reduces these symptoms and reduces the need for prostate surgery.

Some studies have found that Tadalafil can reduce average blood pressure for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Tadalafil has been used in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Tadalafil used alongside treatment containing nitrates like chest pain medication can cause blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. If you take these medications, please avoid Tadalafil and talk to your GP about an alternative ED treatment.

“Even though Tadalafil can lower blood pressure, using it as ED treatment is not a substitute for maintaining your overall heart health. The NHS offers blood pressure testing as a part of their NHS health check which is offered to adults in England aged 40 to 74 every 5 years. Know the signs of heart problems and talk to your GP about any concerns.” - Dr Bhavini Shah

You might hear or see people referring to Tadalafil as the ‘weekend’ pill. This is because the effects of Tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, giving you help with getting an erection across a 2.5 day period. Taken on a Friday afternoon/evening the medication could take effect for the whole weekend, hence Tadalafil's nickname of the 'weekend' pill. 

Do you need a prescription to buy Tadalafil?

Yes, you need a prescription to request and pay for Tadalafil. 

Can I buy Tadalafil over the counter?

No, you cannot currently buy Tadalafil over the counter. 

Can I buy Tadalafil online?

No, you cannot currently buy Tadalafil over the counter. You need a prescription to request and pay for Tadalafil.

Some popular ED treatments, like Viagra Connect, are available over the counter. You will need to answer some questions from the pharmacist providing this treatment to check that this treatment is right for you. 

You will be unsuitable for Tadalafil if you are taking alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), nicorandil or nitrates, such as GTN spray or isosorbide mononitrate tablets to treat angina.

It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Tadalafil safely.

If Tadalafil does not work for you, contact us via your account so that we can discuss your treatment options. If you're unsure about other available erectile dysfunction treatment options we've created the table below:

View all our ED treatments.

Tadalafil is the generic form of the branded erectile dysfunction treatment Cialis. Both drugs have the same ingredients, effectiveness and side effects – there’s no difference other than the branding and cost.

One medication is not ‘stronger’ than the other, they just work differently and over a different period of time to manage ED. Both relax the smooth muscles in the blood vessels supplying the penis, increasing blood flow. The differences between the two are as follows:

Do not take both drugs together as they act the same way. Doing this will not increase the effects of either treatment but may increase likelihood of suffering from side effects.

You can find out more about Tadalafil vs Viagra in our article.  

There are a number of options to address erectile dysfunction and impotence that do not involve medical treatment. These include:

• A healthy diet
  
• Lifestyle improvements, like increased exercise
  
• Improving communication in the bedroom
  
• Physical tools like constriction rings and penis pumps
  
• Counselling
  

While there may be medical reasons for your ED, it can also be other factors including unrealistic expectations or performance anxiety. Finding the cause of your erectile dysfunction should be able to help you and your GP determine your treatment going forward.

If you’d like to reorder Tadalafil, you can go to your account and select ‘reorder’.

• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8637.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5433372/
• https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13431/smpc
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tadalafil-oral-route/before-using/drg-20067204
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433372/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1885145/
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tadalafil/who-can-and-cannot-take-tadalafil/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-pressure-test/