What is Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), a common condition for men. It is the generic form of the popular ED treatment, Cialis. Tadalafil comes in the form of film-coated tablets. If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, you may be prescribed tadalafil by our clinicians following an online consultation.
The effects of Tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, giving you help with getting an erection across a 1.5 day period. Taken on a Friday afternoon or evening the medication still be in effect for Sunday morning (though this is dependent on a person-to-person response). This is why you might hear or see people referring to Tadalafil as the ‘weekend’ pill.
How does Tadalafil work?
Tadalafil's active ingredient (tadalafil) increases blood flow to the penis by helping the blood vessels there relax. It enables a firmer, longer-lasting erection if you are sexually aroused.
The treatment will not resolve the underlying physical cause of your ED or increase your sexual desire.
How long does it take for Tadalafil to take effect?
It usually takes 30-60 minutes for Tadalafil to start working. You will only see the effects if you’re sexually aroused.
How long does Tadalafil last?
Tadalafil can be effective for up to 36 hours. However, this can be affected by:
- Lack of sexual stimulation
- Drinking alcohol
- Tolerance to dosage
How effective is Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction?
Clinical trials for Tadalafil showed a positive response for patients suffering from various severities of erectile dysfunction.
| Severity of erectile dysfunction | No. of patients reporting improved erections* |
| Mild | 86% |
| Moderate | 83% |
| Severe | 72% |
*Compared to 45%, 42% and 19% on placebo for each severity
If you have drunk more than 1-2 units of alcohol, you may find Tadalafil is less effective. Food does not impact how Tadalafil works.
“We advise trying an ED treatment 8 times before giving up, considering a higher dose, or seeking an alternative.” - Sheena Bagga, Pharmacist Prescriber
What can influence the effectiveness of Tadalafil?
Grapefruit juice may affect how well Tadalafil will work.
Lifestyle choices like diet and how much alcohol you’ve consumed may affect your ability to get an erection. As Tadalafil will not be able to help unless you have an erection, it’s worth keeping those factors in mind.
Who can take Tadalafil?
Tadalafil is an erectile dysfunction treatment for adult men with ED and impotence.
Who shouldn't use Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction?
Do not take Tadalafil if you:
- Are allergic to Tadalafil or any of its ingredients (check section 6 of the Tadalafil patient information leaflet)
- Are taking any form of nitrate, like amyl nitrate
- Have had serious heart disease (including a heart attack in the last 90 days)
- Have had a stroke in the last 6 months
- Have issues with high or low blood pressure
- Have ever had loss of vision because of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a conditio described as "stroke of the eye"
- Are taking riociguat
Please talk to your GP before taking Tadalafil if you have:
- Sickle cell anaemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukaemia
- Any deformation of your penis
- A serious liver problem
- A severe kidney problem
How to take Tadalafil tablets
Take one tablet at least 30 minutes before sex. Effects can last for up to 36 hours. Never take more than one tablet more than once a day. Alcohol will limit Tadalafil's effectiveness. Do not combine Tadalafil with other ED medicines.
Can Tadalafil pills be split?
Splitting Tadalafil tablets is not recommended. You should take Tadalafil tablets in the dosage suggested by your clinician or as explained in the patient information leaflet (see above).
Can I take Tadalafil every day?
According to the NHS, it is not recommended to take the 10mg or 20mg doses every day. This is because the effects of the tablets may last longer than 24 hours.
Can I take Tadalafil with other ED medications?
Do not take Tadalafil with other ED medications. This will not increase the chance of you getting an erection. It will increase the chance of experiencing side effects like low blood pressure.
“Treating your erectile dysfunction can be distressing, but it’s important to take things one step at a time – both in understanding the source of your ED and attempting treatments. A lot of ED medications may not work the first time. If this is the case, try again. If it’s ultimately unsuccessful, talk to your healthcare provider again to organize a suitable new treatment.” - Sheena Bagga, Pharmacist Prescriber
Tadalafil dosage
The standard dose is 10mg. Dosage does not affect how quickly or for how long the treatment works.
Higher doses come with an increased chance of developing side effects.
Our current available doses of Tadalafil are as follows:
| Pack size / Dosage | 10mg | 20mg |
| 4 tablets | £25.00 | £28.00 |
| 8 tablets | £38.00 | £50.00 |
| 16 tablets | £62.00 | £75.00 |
There are also monthly subscriptions available which reduce the cost of each dose by 15%:
| Pack size / Dosage | 10mg | 20mg |
| 4 tablets | £21.00/month | £23.00/month |
| 8 tablets | £32.00/month | £42.00/month |
| 16 tablets | £52.00/month | £63.00/month |
“Start with a recommended dose from either your GP or one of our consultations. Not all ED treatments will work the first time they are taken.” - Dr Bhavini Shah
Tadalafil side effects
Like all medicines, there is a chance you might suffer from side effects if you take Tadalafil (but many only experience minor side effects). These can include:
| Common (seen in 1 to 10 in every 100 patients) | Uncommon (seen in 1 to 10 in every 1,000 patients) | Rare (seen in 1 to 10 in every 10,000 patients) |
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For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet.
If you experience these side effects, stop using Tadalafil immediately and seek medical attention:
- Allergic reactions (including rashes)
- Chest pain
- Priapism
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden change to vision (dimmed / blurred / decreased)
Heart problems have been reported by some men, however many of these men had heart issues before taking their medication. It’s important to let our clinicians know of any medical conditions or medication during your consultation.
Long-term side effects of Tadalafil
At the moment it is considered well tolerated to take Tadalafil long-term. A clinical study, taking place over a two-year testing period, supported ‘the long-term use of tadalafil in the clinical management of erectile dysfunction’.
As with any treatment, there is a chance that you could suffer from the side effects listed above. If you start to feel unwell while taking Tadalafil, talk to your healthcare provider.
