The long laster

Tadalafil (Generic for Cialis®)

Tadalafil helps men with ED get and maintain erections with greater ease. Tadalafil stays in your system for longer than other ED meds to help you stay in the moment, without the need to "slip away" or "time" your dose. Plus, you can treat ED with over 50% in savings from the brand name equivalent, Cialis. It’s hard made easy.

* Prescription products require an online consultation with a physician who will determine if a prescription is appropriate.

* Risks of this medication can include nausea, dizziness, chest or arm pain and in rare cases, changes in vision or loss of sight. Seek emergency care right away if you…Read more

* This page medically reviewed by Peter J. Stahl, MD.

What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is an FDA-approved erectile dysfunction pill that helps men with ED get and keep harder erections. Tadalafil is the generic equivalent to the brand name drug Cialis. Like Cialis or Viagra®, tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow to specific parts of the body, including the penis. Tadalafil is unique in that it can be used as-needed or once daily to be ready for sexual activity as it suits you.

Learn: the benefits of tadalafil 5mg

How Tadalafil Works

Tadalafil (generic for Cialis) works by promoting a balance of enzymes necessary to produce and maintain an erection. When aroused, the penis produces nitric oxide plus an enzyme that normally gets your penis hard. Like all PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil protects the enzyme from breaking down, which results in more blood flow in and less blood flow out. Tadalafil can last for 24-36 hours, so it can support erections longer than other ED pills.

Learn: onset of action and half-life of Tadalafil

Buying Tadalafil Online

Hims offers access to prescriptions for Tadalafil online, without in-person trips to a doctor’s office or insurance complications. When you start your online medical visit through the Hims platform, you will answer questions and consult with a medical professional licensed in your state, who can evaluate you and prescribe your dosage if they determine tadalafil is right for you. If prescribed, genuine, FDA-approved tadalafil from a licensed pharmacy will be shipped discreetly to your door. Remember, over the counter tadalafil cannot be sold legally in the US so it is important to work with medical providers licensed to provide care in your state and pharmacies that are licensed to fulfill medications in your area.

Tadalafil Dosage

Hims offers once-a-day tadalafil in a 5mg dosage. Typically, this dosage of Tadalafil is taken once a day at the same time, no matter how often you have sex. After 4-5 days, the level of tadalafil in your blood reaches a steady state that keeps your body ready for sex whenever the time is right. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you’ll be walking around with an erection - erections should still only occur in response to sexual arousal and stimulation. Tadalafil can be taken with or without food; it is not to be taken more than once every 24 hours. As always, read all safety and other information that comes with your prescription and only take tadalafil as directed by your provider.

Learn: tips for taking ED medication effectively

Tadalafil Side Effects

Side effects most commonly associated with tadalafil include headaches, flushing, upset stomach, abnormal vision, runny or stuffy nose, back and muscle pain, nausea, dizziness, and rash. If you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away, talk to your provider. If you have a prolonged erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, you may have a medical condition called priapism, which requires prompt medical treatment. If this happens, seek emergency care immediately.

Learn: about tadalafil & headache

Important Safety Information

We've got answers

Frequently Asked Questions about Tadalafil

What is tadalafil?

Tadalafil is a generic prescription drug that is used to treat several conditions, namely erectile dysfunction (impotence), as well as enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) and high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension). Tadalafil (like its brand-name counterparts, Cialis® and Adcirca®) belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medicines prevent the enzyme PDE5 from working too quickly. The penis is one of the body parts where this enzyme works.

How long does tadalafil take to work?

When Tadalafil (or the brand version Cialis) is taken as needed for ED, it can start working within 30-45 minutes but reaches peak effect in most men 2 hours after it’s taken. Like other ED drugs that are taken as needed for ED, it must be taken in advance of when you plan to be sexually active to give it time to start working.

Tadalafil can also be taken at a lower prescribed dose at the same time every day. When taken in this way over time, you may find an increased ability to achieve an erection anytime you experience sexual stimulation. After beginning a daily regimen of Tadalafil, you may be able to have successful intercourse in as early as 4 to 5 days.

How long does tadalafil last?

One dose of Tadalafil taken as needed for sexual activity can remain effective for up to 36 hours, however peak concentration of Tadalafil in the bloodstream usually occurs between 30 minutes and 6 hours with a median time of 2 hours. Since tadalafil’s effectiveness lasts for a long time, it can be taken well in advance to allow for more spontaneous sexual activity over the course of a day or night.

What is in tadalafil?

Tadalafil tablets available through hims contain the active ingredient tadalafil and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

Tadalafil is offered in several different strengths.

What tadalafil dosage is recommended?

Tadalafil dosing depends on whether or not it is taken daily or as-needed. Once-a-day tadalafil builds up in your system to 1.6-times the daily dose, and so the 5 mg daily treatment offered through hims is similar to taking 8 mg of tadalafil before sex. Tadalafil taken as needed for sexual activity is usually used at higher doses because it does not have time to build up in your system. Typical starting doses of as-needed Tadalafil are 10 or 20 mg, depending on your specific health conditions and age.

Are tadalafil and Cialis the same thing?

Tadalafil is the affordable, generic version of brand-name Cialis. Cialis was originally created and is produced by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, and generic tadalafil became available in 2018 after the patent protection ended. Both brand-name Cialis and tadalafil have been shown to be safe and provide the same treatment effects for erectile dysfunction, but tadalafil is available for a fraction of the price of Cialis.

What are the side effects of tadalafil?

Common side effects of tadalafil include headaches, indigestion, heartburn, back pain, muscle aches, facial flushing, nasal congestion, cold symptoms, dizziness, vision changes and blood pressure changes. If any of these side effects bother you or don't go away, contact your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are rare, but may include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, sudden vision loss, hearing loss and priapism (an erection lasting four hours or longer). If you experience any of these serious side effects, get medical help immediately.

Is tadalafil safe?

Tadalafil is generally safe for most men with ED. However, men who have other health conditions should alert their doctor prior to starting any erectile dysfunction medication.

Some medical conditions and symptoms that may predispose to adverse effects from tadalafil include heart problems like heart failure or a previous heart attack, angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats, high or low blood pressure, retinitis pigmentosa (a rare genetic eye disease), pulmonary hypertension, stroke, liver problems, kidney problems, severe vision loss, stomach ulcers, bleeding problems, deformed penis shape or Peyronie’s disease, experience with erections lasting more than 4 hours, or blood cell disorders like sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma or leukemia.

Can I take tadalafil with other medications?

Tadalafil can be taken with other medications, unless there is a known interaction between the two drugs. Common drug interactions with Tadalafil include nitrates, alpha-blockers, guanylate cyclase stimulators, HIV protease inhibitors, some antifungals and some antibiotics. Some examples of these drugs include nitroglycerin, amyl nitrate, doxazosin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, rifampin, riociguat, ritonavir, tamsulosin, itraconazole and poppers.

Tadalafil should not be taken at the same time as other ED medications, including sildenafil (Viagra®), avanafil (Stendra®) and vardenafil (Levitra®). Seek medical advice if you are taking any other medications prior to starting tadalafil.

*Hims is a registered trademark of Hims, Inc. Cialis® is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Offer does not apply to Tadalafil.