Cialis

Cialis is a medication you can take to help you get and keep an erection. It contains the active ingredient tadalafil, which belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

PDE5 inhibitors work by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the penis when you’re aroused, allowing you to sustain an erection. This makes Cialis an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), when you find it difficult to get a natural erection.

Cialis works by getting more blood to flow into the penis, so you can get an erection when you’re sexually aroused.

When you are sexually stimulated, your nerves release a chemical which relaxes your blood vessels (makes them wider). This allows blood to rush into your penis and cause an erection. Cialis helps keep this chemical in your blood so you can maintain an erection.

As this chemical is only released during sexual activity, you will only get an erection with Cialis when you feel like having sex.

How quickly does Cialis work?

Cialis starts working within 30 minutes of taking it, so it’s recommended to take Cialis 30 to 60 minutes before you want to have sex.

How long does Cialis last?

The effects of Cialis will remain for around 36 hours, which means you can take fewer tablets throughout the week. This is suitable if you have sex once or twice a week and do not want to take a tablet every time you have sex.

You should take Cialis as your doctor has directed you to do so. For most people, the starting dose of Cialis is one 10mg tablet before sex, a maximum of one tablet per day.

To take Cialis:

• take 1 Cialis tablet at least 30 minutes before you plan to have sex
• swallow the tablet whole with water

You can take Cialis with or without food but you should avoid grapefruit juice or fresh grapefruits. Grapefruit can change the effectiveness of Cialis by interfering with how your body breaks it down to clear it from your system.

Try to limit your alcohol intake on the days you take Cialis, as it can make it difficult for you to get an erection.

Can I take Cialis every day?

You should not take Cialis tablets every day. Cialis stays in your body for around 36 hours. This means you’ll still benefit from its effects a day and a half after you take the tablet. Therefore, Cialis is often called the ‘weekend pill’.

If you prefer to take a daily tablet that does not interrupt when you have sex, you can request Cialis Daily. Cialis Daily is available as a 2.5mg and 5mg tablet and does not need to be taken before sexual activity. You take 1 Cialis Daily tablet every day without taking a break. It’s recommended if you have sex frequently (more than 2 times a week).

To get the best effect when taking Cialis, you should take the tablets exactly as directed by your doctor. This means that it’ll work when you need it to, and you are less likely to get unwanted side effects. Other things you can to do make Cialis more effective:

• Make sure you’re sexually stimulated with enough foreplay. Cialis only works when you are aroused, it doesn’t just give you an erection.
• Avoid drinking alcohol when taking Cialis, as alcohol can make it harder to get an erection. This can make Cialis less likely to work and increases the risk of side effects.
• Avoid drinking grapefruit juice, as this can interact with Cialis and cause side effects
• Avoid eating fatty meals before taking Cialis, as it may take longer for Cialis to start working.

If Cialis doesn’t work for you in the expected timeframe, do not take more than your prescribed dosage. Taking too much Cialis can cause serious side effects, and could even result in damage to your penis.

Cialis tablets come in 10mg and 20mg doses. The dose of your Cialis tablets tells you how much of the medicine is in them. As a rule: the higher the dose, the stronger the medication.

10mg or 20mg Cialis tablets are to be taken as and when you need them. Take your tablet about 30 to 60 minutes before you are going to have sex.

If you’re expecting to have regular sex, your doctor might recommend that you take Cialis daily, which is a different Cialis medication that comes in 2.5mg and 5mg tablets. 5mg doses of Cialis are suitable for taking every day.

Which Cialis dosage should I start with?

The usual starting dose for Cialis is 10mg if you are taking it before you have sex and 5mg if you are taking it as a daily dose. These dosages are effective for most men and are the most popularly prescribed.

If you try these dosages and find that they do not work for you, you can speak to your doctor about taking a higher dose of Cialis. The maximum dose is 20mg. Do not increase your dosage without speaking with a doctor first, as it may not be safe.

What is the difference between Cialis and Cialis Daily?

The main differences between Cialis and Cialis Daily are:

• When you take it: Cialis is an on-demand ED medication, so you take it before you want to have sex. Cialis Daily is taken every day, so you’re always ready.
• Who it’s recommended for: Cialis is recommended for men who have sex once or twice a week and Cialis Daily is recommended for men who have sex more than twice a week.
• Dosage: Cialis comes in 10mg and 20mg doses, while Cialis Daily comes in 2.5mg and 5mg doses.

They both contain tadalafil as the active ingredient and work in the same way.

Yes, you can buy Cialis online. Cialis is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional before you are able to buy it.

You should only request Cialis online from trusted online doctor services like ZAVA. We are monitored and regulated to ensure you receive safe and genuine medication.

Getting Cialis with a prescription from ZAVA is quick and convenient, with no need for a face-to-face appointment.

1. Complete a short online medical questionnaire – Share details about your health so our doctors can ensure Cialis is right for you.
2. Order and pay online – Sign in or create your ZAVA account, select Cialis, and securely make your payment.
3. Doctor review and approval – A UK-licensed doctor will check your health information and approve your prescription request if Cialis is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Fast and discreet delivery – If approved, Cialis will be delivered discreetly to your home or a local post office for collection.

Can I buy Cialis over the counter?

No, you cannot get Cialis over the counter as it is a prescription-only medication. However, there is a type of Cialis called Cialis Together, which is available over the counter in 10mg tablets only. If you try Cialis Together and find the dose isn’t working well enough after trying it 8 times, speak to a doctor about getting a prescription for 20mg Cialis tablets instead.

Can I get Cialis on the NHS?

You may be able to get Cialis on the NHS, but this depends on the prescribing guidelines for your area. You will need to speak to your GP and arrange an appointment to find out if you can get Cialis on the NHS.

You may have a few or no side effects when taking Cialis. Some side effects of Cialis are more common than others. If a side effect is listed below, it does not mean you will definitely get it when you take Cialis.

Some common side effects of Cialis include:

• headache
• muscle aches
• back pain
• facial flushing
• nasal congestion
• indigestion

Uncommon side effects happen less often. These side effects will usually disappear after a few hours.

Uncommon side effects of Cialis include:

• dizziness
• feeling sick or being sick
• reflux
• blood in urine
• prolonged erections
• feeling your heartbeat
• a fast or irregular heartbeat
• changes to your blood pressure
• nosebleeds
• tiredness

If you get any side effects that do not go away after a few hours every time you take Cialis, speak to your doctor. They may suggest changing to an alternative ED medication.

You should stop taking Cialis and contact 999 right away if you have:

• an allergic reaction or a rash
• chest pain
• priapism (a prolonged erection that lasts for more than 4 hours)
• sudden loss of vision

If you get chest pain after taking Cialis, do not take medication that contains nitrates to relieve the pain. This includes glyceryl trinitrate spray or nitrate tablets. For more details on the side effects of Cialis, read the patient information leaflet inside your pack.

How to avoid Cialis side effects

While there’s no way to completely avoid side effects, as Cialis can affect everyone a little differently, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of side effects:

• Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking and any pre-existing conditions you have. Cialis can interact with certain medications, and may not be suitable for people with conditions such as blood pressure problems.
• Avoid drinking alcohol when taking Cialis. Alcohol can increase your risk of side effects, as well as make the medication less effective at helping you get an erection.
• Take Cialis exactly as prescribed, and do not increase your dosage without talking with your doctor first. If you take more Cialis than prescribed, you could cause unwanted side effects such as damage to your penis.

You can take Cialis if you are a man over the age of 18 and struggle to get an erection when having sex.

You should not take Cialis if you:

• are a woman
• are under 18 years old
• are allergic to tadalafil or any other ingredients in Cialis
• are taking medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide mononitrate
• are taking products that contain amyl nitrite (also called ‘poppers’)
• have a history of blood clots
• have blood pressure problems
• have a personal or family history of visual problems
• are taking riociguat, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

Also speak to your doctor before taking Cialis if you have:

• sickle cell anaemia
• multiple myeloma
• heart problems
• leukaemia
• any penis deformation, including Peyronie’s disease
• liver or kidney problems
• lactose intolerance

Your doctor will be able to advise whether Cialis is suitable for you to use.

For further information and guidance please read the Cialis patient information leaflet.

Every Cialis tablet contains the active ingredient tadalafil. Depending on the dosage, each pill may contain 10 or 20mg of tadalafil, as well as the additional non-active ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, triacetin, iron oxide yellow (E172), croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulphate, titanium dioxide (E171), talc and hypromellose.

Cialis can interact with other medications that you might be taking. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

• riociguat, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
• alpha-blockers, including doxazosin
• high blood pressure treatment
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as finasteride
• antifungal medication, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
• protease inhibitors, like ritonavir used in HIV treatment
• epilepsy medication, including carbamazepine, phenytoin or phenobarbital
• antibiotics, including rifampicin, erythromycin and clarithromycin
• other erectile dysfunction treatments, such as alprostadil

If you take any of the above medications, your doctor can suggest the Cialis dose that is most suitable for you or an alternative ED treatment.

If you want to try a different ED medication to Cialis, your options include:

• Viagra (also known as sildenafil)
• Levitra
• Spedra

These medications work similarly to Cialis as they all belong to the same medication group of PDE5 inhibitors.

Cialis vs Viagra

Cialis and Viagra are the 2 most popular medications for erectile dysfunction, and it can be hard to know which one is best for you. They work in similar ways but have some differences such as how long they take to start working, and how long they last.

Cialis vs Viagra comparison table

Cialis is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for erectile dysfunction in the UK and is effective for most men.

Patient reviews for Cialis are positive, and this medication has an average rating of 8.5 out of 10 on drugs.com. 82% of patients reported a positive experience, while only 9% reported a negative experience while using Cialis.