Cialis

Cialis is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), used to help you get and maintain an erection for sexual activity. Cialis contains the active ingredient tadalafil, which belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, like Viagra and other ED tablets. It’s taken around 30 to 60 minutes before sex and is also found under the generic name tadalafil.

Cialis works by helping the blood vessels in your penis relax, allowing for increased blood flow and improved erections. However, it does not cause a spontaneous erection. This means it will only work following sexual stimulation, meaning you and your partner will still need to engage in foreplay.

How long does Cialis take to work?

Cialis takes around 30 to 60 minutes to help you get an erection. It might take longer if you have it with a large meal, as the absorption of the tablet in your stomach will be slower.

How long does Cialis last?

Cialis lasts up to 36 hours. For this reason, it's been nicknamed the ‘weekend pill’, because if taken on Friday night, it can last until Sunday morning.

How effective is Cialis?

In clinical studies, Cialis has been proven, on average, to improve erections for 81% of people, compared to 35% who took a placebo. Across the different severity categories of ED, the following percentage of patients reported improvements with Cialis:

• 86% of those with mild ED
• 83% with moderate ED
• 72% with severe ED

Take Cialis 30 to 60 minutes before you want to have sex. During this time, you can engage in foreplay to help Cialis work, as you need to be sexually stimulated. The tablet is swallowed whole, with water, and with or without food. Try to avoid large meals right before taking it, as it may take longer to work.

Do not take more than 1 dose of Cialis in 24 hours. 10mg and 20mg doses of Cialis are not meant to be taken daily. Speak to your doctor about the daily dose if this would be better for your lifestyle.

Cialis 10mg

The recommended starting dose is one 10mg tablet before sexual activity. Only take the dosage you’ve been prescribed. It’s recommended to try Cialis on 8 different occasions first, as it might take a few times to work.

Cialis 20mg

Cialis 20mg is the highest dose of Cialis prescribed, and only if Cialis 10mg does not work for you after trying it 8 different times. It may also be prescribed if you have severe ED.

Cialis can cause some side effects, but not everyone will get them. They are more likely when you first start treatment, and should get better after taking a few doses.

Common Cialis side effects (seen in 1 to 10 out of every 100 patients) include:

• indigestion
• headache
• pain in the arms and legs
• aches in the muscles
• pain in the back
• congestion in the nasal passages
• flushing of the face

Uncommon Cialis side effects (seen in 1 to 10 out of every 1,000 patients) include:

• general fatigue or tiredness
• swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles
• a ringing sensation in the ears
• bleeding from the nose
• extended or prolonged erection
• blood in the urine (pee)
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• discomfort or pain in the eyes
• blurred vision
• acid reflux
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• stomach discomfort
• lightheadedness or dizziness
• elevated or lowered blood pressure
• sensation of a pounding or rapid heartbeat

Rare Cialis side effects (seen in 1 to 10 out of every 10,000 patients) include:

• excessive or increased perspiration (sweating)
• blood in the semen
• bleeding from the penis
• hives or itchy, red raised patches on the skin
• sudden reduction or complete loss of hearing
• redness of the eyes
• puffiness or swelling around the eyelids
• seizures or temporary memory loss
• loss of consciousness or fainting
• partial, temporary, or permanent decrease or loss of vision in 1 or both eyes
• heart attack and stroke in men with previous heart problems

Other rare Cialis side effects reported in men that were not identified during clinical trials include:

• migraines, facial swelling, and serious allergic reactions
• severe skin rashes
• conditions affecting blood flow to the eyes
• angina
• irregular heartbeat
• sudden cardiac death
• distorted, dimmed, blurred, or a sudden decrease in vision (frequency unknown)

If you get any of the following serious side effects, speak to a doctor, go to A&E, or call 999 in an emergency straight away:

• changes in vision (frequency unknown)
• unexpected loss of sight (rare)
• an erection lasting 4 hours or more, known as priapism, which may also be painful (rare)
• pain in the chest – do not take nitrates even if you have been prescribed them and speak to a doctor straight away (uncommon)
• palpitations or the sensation of a fast heart rate
• skin rashes or other signs of an allergic reaction (uncommon)
• a severe allergic reaction, which can cause difficulty breathing, swelling in the face and throat, dizziness, and fainting (rare)
• sudden changes in your speech or weakness or numbness in your face, arms or legs

For a full list of side effects, you can also read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

How long do Cialis side effects last?

Cialis side effects should get better as your body gets used to the treatment. This means you may need to take it a few times. Always report side effects to your doctor, especially if they do not get better or are severe.

What to do if you get Cialis side effects

Some common side effects can be managed at home if they are mild, for example, manage:

• indigestion, by taking Cialis with a light meal, avoiding greasy, spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine
• headache, by taking over-the-counter painkillers, avoiding alcohol, and drinking plenty of water
• pains and muscle aches, by taking over-the-counter painkillers and resting if needed
• nose congestion, by using an over-the-counter nasal congestion spray
• facial flushing, by keeping the room cool with a fan, avoiding strenuous activity until it passes, and having a cool shower

Serious side effects should be discussed with a doctor straight away. You can also call 111 or 999 in an emergency, or go to your nearest A&E department.

Are there long-term side effects of Cialis?

Some side effects may continue as you take the medication, such as high or low blood pressure. However, this should get better once you stop taking Cialis. Some serious side effects of Cialis may be permanent, though this is rare, such as a decrease or loss in vision.

Cialis may be suitable if you’re over 18, are a man, and have been diagnosed with ED. It’s important that you only use Cialis if you have ED, or it could be unsafe or cause erection problems.

Some conditions may make Cialis unsuitable, so speak to your doctor if you have:

• heart disease – sexual activity adds additional strain on the heart, increasing the risk of serious side effects
• uncontrolled blood pressure issues
• had a stroke recently
• a serious liver problem
• a deformation of your penis
• a severe kidney problem
• leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells)
• multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow)
• sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells)
• non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
• severe kidney disease

As Cialis can cause dizziness, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.

It’s not known if Cialis is effective in people who have had:

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

Cialis also contains lactose, so speak to your doctor if you have a lactose intolerance and do not take Cialis if you have been diagnosed with a lactose allergy.

Taking Cialis with other medications

Cialis may not be suitable if you take:

• all nitrate medications, such as glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, and recreational nitrates (poppers)
• other treatments for erectile dysfunction – you should never take more than 1 ED treatment at a time, as this increases the risk of serious side effects
• medications used to treat certain infections, such as rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, or itraconazole
• medications such as ketoconazole tablets to treat fungal infections
• protease inhibitors for the treatment of AIDs or HIV
• a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia
• riociguat, for high blood pressure in the arteries
• other high blood pressure treatments
• an alpha blocker (mainly doxazosin), used to treat high blood pressure or urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia

We recommend avoiding grapefruit juice while taking your tablets because it may affect how Cialis works.

Let your doctor know if you are taking any medications when considering Cialis as it’s important to check Cialis is suitable for you. It’s important to also read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your Cialis.

You can get Cialis prescribed from a regulated online service, such as Asda Online Doctor. It may also be prescribed on the NHS, but you’re more likely to get the unbranded version, tadalafil. There is a form of Cialis you can get over the counter called Cialis Together, which comes in 10mg tablets.

Can I buy Cialis online?

Yes. You can get Cialis online from a regulated and trusted service, such as Asda Online Doctor. Ordering Cialis through Asda Online Doctor is a straightforward process, and you do not need to have a face-to-face appointment:

1. Complete a brief medical questionnaire – provide details about your health so our doctors can make sure Cialis is safe and suitable for you.
2. Doctor review and assessment – one of our doctors will check your answers to determine if Cialis is the right treatment for you.
3. Fast and discreet delivery – if your request is approved, your medication will be sent directly to your door in discreet, unmarked packaging. Alternatively, you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy in as little as 2 to 3 hours.

We are fully monitored and regulated, so you can be sure you’re receiving genuine and safe medication. Our confidential online ED service can help you get the treatment you need to improve your sex life if you’d rather not speak to a doctor in person.

Can I buy Cialis over the counter?

You cannot get Cialis over the counter, but you can get Cialis Together. This is a pharmacy-only treatment containing 10mg tablets, to be used in the same way as Cialis 10mg. It’s an ‘on demand’ treatment.

Even though you do not need a prescription, your pharmacist will still need to do a quick consultation to make sure it’s a safe and suitable medication.

Can I get Cialis on the NHS?

Yes, you can get unbranded Cialis on the NHS, which is called tadalafil tablets. They are the same medication, just cheaper. You’ll need to have a consultation with your GP to get a prescription.

There are plenty of alternatives to Cialis, though Cialis is the only tablet that lasts 36 hours, except tadalafil (generic Cialis). The main differences between Cialis and tadalafil are that Cialis is branded, so may cost more, and they are made by a different manufacturer. They still contain the same active ingredient in the same doses, and work in the same way.

Other ED treatments available at Asda Online Doctor include:

PDE-5 inhibitor tablets

Most ED treatments contain a PDE-5 inhibitor, which means they work in the same way to improve blood flow to the penis. Usually, the main difference is their active ingredients, how long they take to work, and how long they last.

Alternative ED tablets to Cialis include:

• sildenafil, one of the most common treatments for ED, is available as a generic tablet or as the branded medications Viagra and Viagra Connect. These treatments typically take 30 to 60 minutes to work and remain effective for 4 to 6 hours. Viagra Connect can also be purchased over the counter, though it’s only available in a 50mg dose.
• Spedra, a branded ED medication containing the active ingredient avanafil. It’s fast-acting, taking 15 to 30 minutes to start working and lasting for around 4 hours.
• Vardenafil, a generic treatment that is also sold under the brand name Levitra. Both work in the same way, taking up to 60 minutes to become effective and lasting between 4 and 6 hours.

PDE-5 inhibitor sprays

As well as tablets, sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) is now available as a mouth spray called Hezkue. This is a mint-flavoured mouth spray which is taken by spraying the recommended dose onto the tongue and swallowing it straight away with saliva. It should be used around 60 minutes before sex, but can take effect in as little as 12 minutes and lasts for 4 to 5 hours.

ED cream

The other treatment available for ED is called Vitaros cream. This is not a PDE-5 inhibitor and instead contains the active ingredient alprostadil, a type of medication called a prostaglandin. Vitaros works by widening the blood vessels in your penis to increase blood flow, helping you to get an erection.

It’s applied directly to the opening of your penis using an applicator and takes 5 to 30 minutes to work. It is effective even if you have nerve damage and can last for 1 to 2 hours.

Cialis vs Viagra

Cialis and Viagra (tadalafil and sildenafil) are both PDE-5 inhibitors, so they work in the same way. They also take 30 to 60 minutes to take effect. The main differences are that:

• Cialis lasts up to 36 hours, while Viagra lasts 4 to 6
• they have different doses, because the active ingredient is different – just because Viagra has a higher dosage this does not make it more effective
• Cialis also has a daily version, while Viagra can only be prescribed as needed

When comparing effectiveness, Viagra 50mg is effective for an average of 74% of men, while Cialis 20mg is effective for an average of 81%.