Tadalafil is a prescription-only medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and a generic (unbranded and cheaper) version of Cialis. It is known as a PDE-5 inhibitor, a treatment that works by improving the blood flow to your penis, helping you to get an erection when aroused if you are unable to normally.

Tadalafil works in a similar way to Viagra and Cialis. Tadalafil contains the active ingredient tadalafil which is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5). PDE-5 inhibitors work by helping the blood vessels in your penis relax, which can improve the blood flow. It does this by blocking a certain enzyme responsible for limiting blood flow to the penis, making it easier for you to get an erection once you are aroused.

Similar to other erectile dysfunction treatments, tadalafil will not work if you are not aroused. You can help tadalafil work by engaging in foreplay with your partner.

How long does tadalafil last?

The effects of tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, which is why it is sometimes called the ‘Weekend Pill’. This means that tadalafil can help you get an erection when you’re sexually aroused during this time. It does not mean that you’ll have an erection that lasts for 36 hours.

Lower doses (2.5mg or 5mg) of tadalafil are taken daily and designed so the medication should always be working, allowing you to get an erection as needed once you are aroused.

However, tadalafil does not have any effect on how long it takes you to orgasm, meaning it won’t help if you orgasm too quickly. If you are finishing too quickly, you may want to look into techniques on how to last longer in bed, or treatment for premature ejaculation. Sometimes erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are linked.

How long does tadalafil take to work?

It takes tadalafil 30 to 60 minutes to work. You should take one tablet of tadalafil with water 30 to 60 minutes before you want to have sex, to give the medication time to start working.

If you have sex more than twice a week, you may want to try a lower daily dosage of tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg). You take a lower dose at the same time every day which means the effects are always working, so if you’re aroused, you’ll be ready for sex.

If you are unsure about what dosage of tadalafil is right for you, speak with your doctor.

How effective is tadalafil?

Clinical studies have proven tadalafil to be an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) with results showing that:

• 86% of patients with mild ED reported improvement
• 83% of patients with moderate ED reported improvement
• 72% of patients with severe ED reported improvement

It was also reported that 75% of intercourse attempts during this study were successful in patients treated with tadalafil, compared to only 32% treated with a placebo.

Other studies have found that 70% of tadalafil daily patients reported being satisfied with treatment and 83.1% reported how convenient the daily dose was in their life

To use tadalafil 10mg or 20mg, you should swallow one tablet whole with a glass of water at least 30 to 60 minutes before sex to make sure the medication has time to start working.

You can take lower doses of tadalafil (2.5mg or 5mg) daily. You take these at the same time every day and the effects should always be working so that you don’t need to take them just before having sex. This is useful if you have sex twice a week or more, or if you enjoy spontaneous sex without having to remember to take a pill.

For best results avoid:

• eating a heavy meal or fatty foods before taking tadalafil, as it will slow down how fast the medication gets to work
• alcohol, as it can make tadalafil less effective and may increase the likelihood of side effects

Tadalafil will not work unless you are aroused. You need to make sure you’re aroused before attempting to get an erection on tadalafil.

How often to take tadalafil

There are 2 different kinds of doses of tadalafil and how often you take them varies, for example:

• ‘daily doses’ (2.5 mg and 5 mg) are taken at the same time every day (if you usually have sex twice a week or more)
• ‘on demand’ doses (10 mg and 20 mg) can be taken 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex

You must not take more than 1 tablet a day. Taking more than 1 dose a day will not improve your chance of successful erections, it will only put you at risk of serious side effects.

There are 4 doses of tadalafil. 2 daily doses and 2 doses that you take before sex (on demand). Daily doses can be a better choice if you have sex on more than 2 different days a week. Otherwise, on demand doses might be more suitable.

If you are unsure about what dose is right for you, speak with a doctor. You must also check with a doctor before switching the dose of any medication.

Daily dosages:

1. Tadalafil 2.5mg

The lowest dosage of tadalafil is 2.5mg. You can try this dose if you’ve already tried 5mg and it worked well but gives you some mild side effects. This dose is slightly less effective than 5mg, but has a lower chance of side effects overall.

2. Tadalafil 5mg

The standard daily dose is 5mg. Your doctor may recommend this dosage first if you have not tried a daily dosage of tadalafil before.

Before sex dosages:

1. Tadalafil 10mg

Tadalafil 10mg is the standard on demand dose. Your doctor may recommend this dose if you haven’t tried tadalafil before.

2. Tadalafil 20mg

Tadalafil 20mg is the higher-strength on demand dose. You may be recommended this dose if 10mg does not work for you and you don’t get any serious side effects. Although this dose is slightly more likely to work than 10mg, it has a higher risk of side effects.

Can I buy tadalafil online?

You can request tadalafil from online doctor services like Superdrug Online Doctor by simply following the instructions below:

1. Fill out a short medical questionnaire about your health.
2. Request and pay for treatment.
3. One of our online doctors will review your questionnaire and will approve you for treatment if it is suitable.
4. Your order will be delivered to your address or you can collect it at your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
5. If your order is not approved, your payment will be refunded and you will be notified by one of our doctors in your account.

With Superdrug Online Doctor there are no face-to-face appointments, only discreet online consultations and deliveries.

Can I buy tadalafil over the counter?

No, tadalafil is only available by prescription. Tadalafil is a generic (unbranded and cheaper) version of Cialis, which is also only available by prescription.

The over-the-counter alternative to Cialis and tadalafil is Cialis Together. Similar to tadalafil 10 and 20 mg doses, Cialis Together should be taken at least 30 to 60 minutes before sex and lasts up to 36 hours.

Can I get tadalafil on the NHS?

Yes, you can get tadalafil on the NHS by speaking with your regular GP and they may prescribe it if you meet the requirements. Alternatively, you can order tadalafil online from online doctor services like Superdrug Online Doctor by filling in a quick medical questionnaire.

Like with all medications, there are side effects that can be caused by taking tadalafil, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses of tadalafil. If you have any concerns about side effects when taking tadalafil, speak with a doctor.

Common side effects (may affect 1 in 10 people):

• headache
• back pain
• muscle aches
• pain in arms and legs
• facial flushing
• nasal congestion
• indigestion

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• dizziness
• stomach ache
• nausea
• vomiting
• reflux
• blurred vision
• eye pain
• difficulty breathing
• blood in urine
• prolonged erection
• pounding heartbeat sensation
• fast heart rate
• high blood pressure
• low blood pressure
• nose bleeds
• ringing in ears
• swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
• tiredness

For rare and serious side effects please refer to the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do tadalafil side effects last?

Tadalafil side effects usually go away when you stop taking the tablets. Speak with a doctor or pharmacist if a side effect is affecting your daily life or does not go away. Since tadalafil can last up to 36 hours, side effects may last this long, although they might ease off as time goes on.

What to do if you get tadalafil side effects

If you are experiencing common, mild side effects of tadalafil such as a headache, facial flushing (going red in the face) or nasal congestion, these symptoms should pass within a few days or less.

To manage and ease your symptoms at home, we recommend for:

• facial flushing: keep the room cool, or sip cold water, avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks
• headaches: ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller, and drink plenty of fluids
• nasal congestion: ask your pharmacist to recommend a nasal spray
• feeling sick: avoid spicy or fatty foods, eat smaller portions

If you are experiencing muscle aches you should speak with your pharmacist. Speak with a doctor if a side effect is affecting your daily life or does not go away.

If you are experiencing serious side effects like:

• a sudden loss of vision or sudden problems with hearing
• a prolonged or painful erection (especially if it lasts for more than 2 hours)

Stop taking tadalafil and go to A&E straight away.

Call 999 if you have:

• a seizure or fit
• chest pain (if you get chest pain during or after sex and you usually use nitrates, do not take them to treat your chest pain)
• a serious allergic reaction (symptoms include fainting, drowsiness, your skin, tongue, or lips turning blue, grey or pale, your throat feels tight, you’re struggling to breathe, or have a rash that’s swollen, raised, and itchy)

Stop taking tadalafil if you get any of these symptoms.

If you have any concerns about particular side effects, speak with a doctor.

You must speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking tadalafil tablets.

Be aware that sexual activity carries a possible risk to patients with heart disease because sexual activity puts an extra strain on your heart. If you have a heart problem you should speak to your doctor.

Tadalafil 5mg only

Your doctor may check you for prostate cancer before starting treatment with tadalafil because benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer may have the same symptoms. Tadalafil tablets do not treat prostate cancer.

Before taking tadalafil, tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

• sickle cell anaemia
• multiple myeloma
• leukaemia
• any deformation of your penis
• a serious liver problem
• a severe kidney problem

It is unknown if tadalafil is effective in patients who have had:

• pelvic surgery
• removal of all or part of the prostate gland in which nerves of the prostate are cut (radical non nerve-sparing prostatectomy)

If you experience a decrease or loss of vision, or if your vision is distorted or dimmed while you are taking tadalafil, stop taking the tablets and speak with your doctor immediately.

Decreased or sudden hearing loss has been noted in some patients taking tadalafil. Although it is not known if this is directly related to taking tadalafil, if you experience decreased or sudden hearing loss, stop taking tadalafil tablets and speak with your doctor immediately.

Tadalafil is not suitable for use by:

• women
• children and adolescents under the age of 18

Interactions with other medicines

Tadalafil may react with other medications, to be safe, be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking, have recently taken, or are planning to take any other medication.

Tell your doctor if you are already taking:

• nitrates (poppers)
• an alpha blocker (used to treat high blood pressure or urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• other medications to treat high blood pressure
• riociguat
• a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• medicines such as ketoconazole tablets (to treat fungal infections)
• protease inhibitors (for treatments of AIDS or HIV)
• phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine (anticonvulsant medicines)
• rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin or itraconazole
• other erectile dysfunction treatments

There is a range of erectile dysfunction (ED) medications, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to deciding what might be most suited to you.

Cialis

Cialis is an oral prescription-only medication containing tadalafil (the same active ingredient as tadalafil). Cialis is a branded version of the generic medication tadalafil and is available in 2 doses (10mg or 20mg). It works by increasing the blood flow to your penis so that when you’re aroused, it’s easier for you to get an erection.

Cialis Together

Cialis Together is an over-the-counter alternative to Cialis. Unlike the prescribed Cialis, it is only available in 1 dose and contains 10mg of the active ingredient tadalafil. The treatment works by relaxing the muscles around the penis, allowing blood to flow more freely, enabling you to get an erection when aroused.

Viagra

Viagra is an oral prescription-only treatment. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which works to help you get an erection when you’re aroused by increasing the blood flow to your penis. It is available in 3 different dosages, 50mg, 25mg and 100mg. The higher the dosage, the greater the effect of the treatment. You may want to try different dosages to find which is best for you.

Viagra Connect

Viagra Connect is an oral tablet and an over-the-counter alternative to Viagra. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil which works to improve the blood flow to your penis, making it easier for you to get an erection when you are sexually aroused. It is only available in the 50mg dosage.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is a prescription-only oral tablet treatment for erectile dysfunction. It is the generic version of Viagra; this only means that it has a different name and price, but it has the same active ingredient, sildenafil. It works by increasing the blood flow to your penis so that, when you are sexually aroused, it is easier for you to get an erection. Sildenafil is cheaper than the branded Viagra. We also provide Superdrug sildenafil which is another budget alternative to Viagra and Sildenafil.

Like Viagra, Sildenafil comes in 3 different dosages: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. You should only take the dose that your doctor or pharmacist prescribes. The usual dose to take is 50mg; this dose can be increased (to 100mg) or decreased (to 25mg) depending on your response and if you are having unbearable side effects.

Spedra

Spedra is a prescription-only oral treatment for erectile dysfunction. It contains the active ingredient avanafil which works by relaxing the blood vessels around your penis, increasing blood flow and making it easier for you to get an erection when you are aroused. It is available with Superdrug Online Doctor in 3 doses, 50mg, 100mg and 200mg. The standard starting dosage is 100mg, but your doctor can adjust your dose depending on how well it works for you and if you develop unbearable side effects.

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is a prescription-only medication for erectile dysfunction in the form of an oral tablet. The active ingredient is vardenafil and it is a generic version of Levitra. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and muscles around your penis to encourage blood flow so that you can get an erection when you are sexually aroused. It is available in 10 mg or 20 mg. Your doctor should prescribe the best treatment suited to you.

Vitaros Cream

Vitaros is a prescription-only cream used to treat erectile dysfunction. The active ingredient is alprostadil which works by relaxing your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely so that you are able to get an erection once aroused. It is available in 3mg/g and works within 5 to 30 minutes.

Penis pumps

If you don’t think medication is the best route for you, a non-medication alternative is a penis pump. We offer the Vaxaid V30 vacuum pump. Penis pumps are a medical device which draws blood into the penis, helping you get an erection. These can also be used alongside medication for erectile dysfunction.

Still uncertain about which ED treatment might be best suited to you? Speak with your doctor or pharmacist and they should be able to advise you.

Can I split tadalafil tablets?

No, you must swallow the tablet whole. If you have any particular questions about how to take this medication, speak to your doctor.

How should tadalafil be stored?

You should store tadalafil in its original blister pack, in its carton. Keep the medication in an area below 30°C and away from sunlight and moisture. Do not use it after the expiry date.

Is tadalafil as strong as Viagra?

Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil, whereas tadalafil contains tadalafil. While both start working within 30 to 60 minutes, tadalafil is effective for longer (up to 36 hours) compared to Viagra (up to 4 hours). Sildenafil has higher dosage numbers, but this doesn’t mean it is a stronger medication overall. For a longer-lasting medication that you can take without planning when to take your medication before sex, you may want to choose tadalafil or tadalafil daily.

Is tadalafil better than Cialis?

Tadalafil and Cialis have the same active ingredient. Cialis is a branded and more expensive version of the generic tadalafil. We do not recommend one over the other. Both are safe so long as a doctor approves of either treatment for you.

Can I drink alcohol while taking tadalafil?

To get the most benefit from tadalafil, do not drink lots of alcohol as it may make it more difficult for you to get an erection. Your patient information leaflet that comes with your medication will provide more specific guidance on alcohol use with tadalafil.

Will tadalafil affect my fertility?

Two studies have shown decreases in sperm count in patients treated with tadalafil. These effects are unlikely to lead to a lack of fertility long-term and the benefits of being able to get and keep an erection for sex, especially if you’re trying for a baby, is likely to outweigh these risks. If you have any concerns about fertility when taking tadalafil, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.