Cialis dosage and strength

Cialis tablets come in four strengths, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. The typical dose for taking Cialis before sex is 10 mg. When Cialis is taken daily, the typical dose is 2.5 mg, but again, this may change based on your circumstances. You should never exceed the dose you were prescribed. If you feel your dose is wrong, speak to our doctors rather than self-dosing.

Cialis contraindications

DO NOT take Cialis if you:

• Are under 18 years old
• Are a woman
• Don’t have erectile dysfunction
• Have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity
• Are allergic to tadalafil or any of the other ingredients in the medication (see the leaflet in the Cialis packaging for a full list of ingredients)
• Are taking nitrate medicines
• Are taking medicines called nitric oxide donors such as amyl nitrite (poppers)
• Are taking guanylate cyclase stimulators like Adempas (riociguat), for hypertension
• Have had surgery in the last 6 months
• Have recently had a heart attack or stroke
• Have low blood pressure, or high blood pressure which is not controlled
• Have inherited eyes diseases, like retinitis pigmentosa
• Have ever had a loss of vision caused by non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

Talk to our doctors if you are unsure if you can take Cialis.

Taking other medications with Cialis

Cialis can interact with other drugs. Don’t take Cialis if you are taking any of the medications listed in Cialis interactions below. Tell us about any other medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements.

Cialis interactions

Do not take Cialis if you are taking:

• Other erectile dysfunction treatments, including any pills or creams or ointments
• Any treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) containing sildenafil or other PDE5 inhibitors
• Nitrate medicines, often prescribed for chest pain
• Guanylate cyclase stimulators like Adempas (riociguat), prescribed for hypertension
• Medicines called alpha-blockers
• Medicines called HIV protease inhibitors
• Medicines to treat high blood pressure

Cialis and grapefruit

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice if you’re taking Cialis. Research has shown that grapefruit juice contains a molecule that can make the effects of Cialis stronger. While that might sound like a good thing, in reality, it can cause an overdose, make any effects unpredictable and cause side effects to be worse.

Cialis and alcohol

Whilst Cialis can be taken with alcohol, you shouldn’t drink excessively when taking it, as alcohol can affect your ability to get an erection and can stop Cialis from working. Both alcohol and Cialis can cause drops in blood pressure, so you may feel dizzy and/or faint if you drink with Cialis.

Cialis and food

Cialis can be taken with or without food.

Who can take Cialis?

Cialis can be taken by adult men over the age of 18, who have erectile dysfunction. Cialis isn’t suitable for all men though, and you should check with our doctors before taking it if you:

• Have blood cells conditions like sickle cell disease, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia
• Have a deformity of the penis, such as Peyronie’s Disease
• Have heart problems
• Have liver problems
• Have kidney problems or are having dialysis
• Have pulmonary hypertension
• Have problems with bleeding
• Have had stomach ulcers

Cialis and driving or using machines

Cialis can cause side effects, including dizziness, which can impair your ability to drive or use machinery. Don’t do so until you are sure about how you react to Cialis and are confident that you are able to.

Possible side effects of Cialis

As with any medicine, Cialis can have side effects. Not everyone will get the same ones, and some men won’t get any at all; it varies from man to man. These were the side effects found in clinical testing:

Common side effects of Cialis (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Headache
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Pain in arms and legs
• Facial flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Indigestion

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

• Dizziness
• Stomach-ache
• Feeling sick
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Reflux
• Eye effects, including blurred vision and eye pain
• Difficulty in breathing
• Presence of blood in urine
• Prolonged erection (priapism)
• Pounding heartbeat sensation
• A fast heart rate
• High blood pressure and low blood pressure
• Nose bleeds
• Ringing in the ears
• Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
• Feeling tired

Rare effects of Cialis (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Fainting
• Seizures
• Passing memory loss
• Eye effects, including swelling of the eyelids and red eyes
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing
• Hives (itchy red welts on the surface of the skin)
• Penile bleeding
• Presence of blood in semen
• Increased sweating

If you experience any of the following side effects stop taking Cialis and seek medical help immediately:

• The rapid onset of side effects that indicate you’re having an allergic reaction to Cialis, including flushing, itchy skin and/or a rash, sudden wheeziness, swelling of the lips, face, neck, and throat making it difficult to breathe
• Chest pains
• An erection that lasts for longer than four hours
• A sudden decrease or loss of vision
• Seizures or fits

Although rare, unstable angina (a heart condition) and sudden death have been reported after taking Cialis. Most of the men who experienced these side effects had pre-existing heart problems.

Cialis expiration and storage

Don’t keep Cialis tablets past the date of expiry on the packaging. Never use Cialis after this date (the expiry date refers to the last day of the month shown on the packet).

Store Cialis in its original packaging at home and when travelling. Keep it in a cool, dry place with a temperature of below 30°C. As with all medications, always make sure you keep Cialis out of sight and reach of children.

Don’t throw unwanted Cialis out with household waste or flush any unused meds down the sink or toilet, as this can cause environmental harm. Take any expired meds to your local pharmacy as they’ll dispose of them safely.

Arrange a check-up with your GP after 6 months

You should have a check-up with your doctor after you’ve been taking Cialis for 6 months. Do this even if you feel healthy and well. Whilst the meds might be helping with your ED, ED itself can actually be an early warning sign of something much more serious. It’s important to not leave things up to chance.