Cialis
In brief
- Cialis (tadalafil) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
- Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction and, at a 5 mg once-daily dose, benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its active ingredient is tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide.
- The usual dose for erectile dysfunction is 10 mg before sexual activity, adjusted to 5–20 mg as needed; for daily use it is 2.5–5 mg once daily. For benign prostatic hyperplasia, the usual dose is 5 mg once daily.
- The form of administration is an oral tablet.
- The effect of Cialis usually begins within 30–60 minutes after taking it.
- The duration of action is up to 36 hours.
- Do not drink excessive alcohol, as it can increase the risk of dizziness, low blood pressure and reduced ability to get an erection.
- The most common side effects are headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, nasal congestion and pain in the limbs.
- Would you like to try Cialis without a prescription?
Basic Cialis information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Tadalafil
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Cialis; generic tadalafil
- ATC code: G04BE08
- Forms and dosages: oral tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Eli Lilly (Cialis); generics from Teva, Sandoz, Mylan and Accord Healthcare
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Cialis is commonly used for erectile dysfunction, and the 5 mg daily dose is also prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia when urinary symptoms are part of the picture.
It is often called the “weekend pill” because its effect can last up to 36 hours rather than just a few hours.
What Cialis is and how it fits into the tadalafil product family
- Tadalafil
- The International Nonproprietary Name, or INN, for the active ingredient in Cialis.
- Cialis
- The best-known branded tadalafil product in the UK.
- Cialis Generic
- A generic tadalafil product labelled by its active ingredient rather than the brand name.
- Adcirca
- A tadalafil brand used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, not erectile dysfunction.
- G04BE08
- The ATC code showing it is classed as a medicine used in erectile dysfunction within the genito-urinary system group.
In plain English, Cialis is the branded tadalafil product that most UK customers recognise first, while generic tadalafil is the same active ingredient sold under different manufacturer labels.
Available strengths, tablet formats and packaging
| Form | Strengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oral tablet | 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg | Most common for branded Cialis and generic tadalafil |
Packaging commonly comes in blisters of 2, 4, 8 or 14.
Branded and generic products can look different because the manufacturer and pack size vary, even when the active ingredient is the same.
Typical packaging examples:
- 2-tablet blister for a first trial pack.
- 4-tablet blister for short-term use.
- 8-tablet blister for repeat use.
- 14-tablet blister for longer supply.
Legal status and availability in the UK
Cialis (tadalafil) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK. A registered pharmacy should be able to confirm identity, check for interactions, and ask about relevant health conditions before a supply is made.
The reason these checks matter is simple: tadalafil can interact with other medicines and may not be suitable in some heart, liver, or kidney conditions.
In our online pharmacy, Cialis is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Cialis for erectile dysfunction: as-needed use and daily use
| Regimen | Starting dose | Typical maintenance | Maximum use |
|---|---|---|---|
| As needed | 10mg before sexual activity | 5–20mg, 30 minutes to 36 hours before activity | Once daily |
| Daily dosing | 2.5mg once daily | 2.5–5mg once daily | 5mg/day |
Patients usually choose the as-needed approach when they want flexibility for planned sex without taking a tablet every day.
Daily tadalafil suits men who prefer routine and less thinking around timing, especially if sexual activity is more regular or if they want a steadier approach.
Both regimens are part of the same Cialis for erectile dysfunction treatment family, but they are not used in exactly the same way.
The choice often comes down to convenience versus consistency; the 36-hour effect gives more room for spontaneity.
Cialis for BPH: why some men choose daily tadalafil
For benign prostatic hyperplasia, the standard dose is 5mg once daily.
That use is about urinary symptom management, not just sexual performance, so it is often prescribed long term.
Daily consistency matters more than timing around sex, which is why tadalafil for BPH is usually taken at the same time each day.
Is this the same tablet as ED Cialis? The active ingredient is the same, but the clinical purpose and dosing plan differ.
- Used for urinary symptoms linked to BPH.
- Usually taken daily rather than on demand.
- Often continued long term if prescribed.
- Has the same active ingredient as ED Cialis tablets.
How to take Cialis correctly: timing, duration and routine
- For as-needed ED use, take it 30–60 minutes before sexual activity.
- Expect the effect to last up to 36 hours.
- For daily dosing, take it at the same time every day.
- Do not stack doses if the effect feels too slow.
- Follow the patient leaflet and pharmacist advice if food, alcohol, or other medicines are involved.
The key point is consistency: the tablet works best when the dosing plan matches the reason it was prescribed.
Food is less of a concern than with some other ED medicines, but a pharmacist can still help if a patient is combining medicines or drinks alcohol regularly.
The timing is part of what makes Cialis different from shorter-acting erectile dysfunction tablets.
Dose adjustments, missed doses and overdose risks
| Situation | Practical advice |
|---|---|
| Children | Not approved |
| Elderly | No routine adjustment if renal and hepatic function are normal, but monitor sensitivity |
| Mild or moderate liver impairment | Lower starting dose may be considered |
| Severe liver impairment | Not recommended |
| Mild or moderate kidney impairment | Use with caution and consider a lower starting dose |
| Severe kidney impairment | Daily use not recommended |
If a daily dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered on the same day.
If it is close to the next dose, skip the missed tablet and continue as normal.
Do not double up, because dose-stacking increases the risk of side effects without improving results.
Overdose warning
Symptoms can include severe low blood pressure and prolonged erections, and urgent medical help should be sought immediately.
Who should not take Cialis: absolute and relative contraindications
| Absolute contraindications | Relative cautions |
|---|---|
| Nitrates | Significant kidney impairment |
| Allergy to tadalafil or excipients | Left ventricular outflow obstruction |
| Severe hepatic impairment | Retinitis pigmentosa |
| Unstable angina, recent stroke or myocardial infarction | Bleeding disorders or active peptic ulcers |
| Uncontrolled cardiac disease | Pharmacy and prescriber review required |
Nitrate interaction is the most important red flag because it can cause a significant drop in blood pressure.
That is exactly why pharmacist advice matters before supply, especially for anyone with heart disease, a recent hospital admission, or multiple medicines.
People with renal impairment, retinitis pigmentosa, or bleeding problems may still be able to use tadalafil, but only after proper review.
Side effects and what to watch for
| Frequency | Side effect |
|---|---|
| Common | Headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, nasal congestion, limb pain |
| Less common | Dizziness, visual disturbances, rash |
Most side effects are mild and self-limiting, especially when a patient is just starting out.
Headache, flushing, and indigestion are the complaints that tend to come up first in medicine counselling.
A review is sensible if symptoms are troublesome, keep returning, or do not settle in the way a patient expects.
Alcohol can make dizziness more noticeable for some people, so it is worth keeping that in mind if the tablet is being taken for a night out or a weekend away.
Cialis compared with other ED medicines
| Medicine | Generic name | Typical onset | Max duration | Formulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis | Tadalafil | 30–60 minutes | 36 hours | 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tablets |
| Sildenafil (Viagra) | Sildenafil | 30–60 minutes | 4–6 hours | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg tablets |
| Levitra | Vardenafil | 30–60 minutes | 4–6 hours | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tablets |
| Spedra | Avanafil | 15–30 minutes | 6–8 hours | 50mg, 100mg, 200mg tablets |
The comparison usually comes down to duration and flexibility.
Some patients want the longer window that comes with Cialis, while others prefer faster onset from a different ED medicine.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Leicester | England | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
Storage and what to check before use
- Store at room temperature, between 15–30°C.
- Protect tablets from humidity and direct sunlight.
- Keep each tablet in the original blister until use.
- Check that the pack seal is intact.
- Confirm the strength on the label before taking it.
- Check the expiry date before first use.
- Remember that generic tadalafil may look different depending on the manufacturer.
Sealed blisters matter because they protect the medicine and also give an extra authenticity check before a patient takes the first dose.
If the label is unclear, the tablet colour looks unexpected, or the pack has been damaged in transit, it is sensible to speak to the pharmacist before using it.
Before the first dose, the three most useful checks are the strength, the expiry date, and the pharmacy label.
