Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards.
Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist)
How much do you know about the dosage of Cialis? What types exist, and how should the medication be taken? This page provides a guide to the use and dosage of Cialis (Tadalafil). Cialis can be a crucial element in the treatment of erectile function. To achieve the best results, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the medication. Dosage is one of the most important factors of any medicine. Taking too much or too little can result in the drug not working, or experiencing side effects.
Understanding the Cialis dosages, and how and when to take it is explained further in this article.
Cialis (Tadalafil) Dosages at a Glance
Cialis and its active ingredient Tadalafil are available in the following dosages:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
Tadalafil should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor and in the lowest dosage that is effective for you. If your dosage decreases during treatment, you can cut the pills in half. If your dosage increases, you can take more than one tablet to achieve the correct dose. Consult your doctor to adjust your dosage until it is right for you. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) has many causes, including aging and physical and mental ailments.
For most users, they prefer to take Cialis on an ‘as-needed’ basis. In general, 10 mg is the starting dosage, as this amount appears to work best for most men. Then, your doctor may need to increase or decrease your dose based on your experience with Cialis. 20 mg is the maximum amount to take in one day.
An alternative option for Tadalafil patients is daily use. This is more suitable for people with an active sex-life who don’t plan for sexual encounters. Doctors usually start with the lowest possible dose, 2.5 mg. This daily dose can be increased to 5 mg if necessary and based on the person’s ability to tolerate it.
Cialis can be taken once a day but not more frequently. If the maximum dose is prescribed, it must be taken all at once. If you split it up, spreading it out through the day, you will not get the desired results.
Tadalafil is not indicated for young men under age 18, nor for those over 18 who have not completed the hormonal puberty phase. Cialis can cause permanent damage for teens or youth who are still going through puberty. In general, little or no dosage adjustment occurs for patients over 65 because most men need the maximum dosage. This is the only way to achieve results due to age and lower metabolism.
For men between 18 and 65, Cialis dosages are adjusted by the doctor. Make sure you tell your physician about any pre-existing medical conditions and other medications you may be taking to make this process as smooth as possible. They will need as much information as possible to help identify the cause of your erectile dysfunction.
Since sexual enhancers affect your circulatory system, it is vital to take them only as long as necessary. Thus, it is essential to maintain contact with your doctor during your treatment with Tadalafil. Cialis can be approved for daily use if your doctor feels it is necessary and beneficial.
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How to Take Cialis (Tadalafil)
Tadalafil can be an effective solution to erectile dysfunction problems. However, like any medication, it must be taken properly to achieve the best results. Cialis can be taken as needed or daily. Your dosage schedule will depend on your specific needs. Your doctor will decide which plan is appropriate for you.
It should be taken 30 minutes before a planned sexual encounter if you take Tadalafil on an as-needed basis. Take the tablet orally with a glass of water.
Tadalafil has fewer food and alcohol interactions than other sexual enhancers. Thus, its effect is usually not altered if taken with or without food or with a moderate amount of alcohol. However, excessive amounts of alcohol may affect its ability to function.
If your doctor prescribes Cialis for you to take daily, you can choose what time of day you would like to take it. Once you decide on the time, make sure you consume the medication at the same time every day. Make sure you do not take Tadalafil with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Compounds in grapefruit can lead to higher concentrations of Cialis in your blood, which can cause more intense side effects.
How Often Can I Take Cialis?
Tadalafil in the dosages of 10 or 20 mg can be taken no more than once a day. If possible, the daily use of these concentrations should be avoided. Your doctor may advise you to wait until 24 hours after the effects have worn off to take another pill.
Remember, Cialis only works with sexual stimulation. If your problem is a lack of sexual desire and arousal, Tadalafil will likely not produce the desired effects. Tadalafil also may not be effective if your erectile dysfunction is due to excessive alcohol consumption.
If you plan to have sex several times a week, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of 5 mg daily or every other day. This dosage schedule should guarantee a high enough concentration of the drug in your bloodstream to allow you to get an erection at any time. For the best results, it’s advisable to take the tablet at the same time every day.
Taking 10 or 20 mg of Tadalafil daily or every second day can lead to higher frequency and severity of side effects. If you experience dizziness or a visual impairment, notify your doctor and ask about changing your dosage. Such side effects can also make it dangerous for you to drive or operate heavy machinery.
When Should I Take Cialis?
If you take Cialis on an as-needed basis (generally at a dosage of 10 or 20 mg), you should take it at least half an hour before having sex. The effect of the medication usually lasts for 36 hours.
If your doctor prescribes daily Tadalafil for you, you will need to take it at the same time every day. It does not necessarily have to be before intercourse. Taking Cialis every day provides you with guaranteed erections 24 hours a day, perfect for men who want to have sex two or more times per week, or without planning for it in advance.
If you take Tadalafil every day and miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled one, you can skip it and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a larger or double dose to make up for the one you missed.
Your Tadalafil tablet can be taken with or without food. No significant difference has been found in its effectiveness in relation to meals. However, some drugs in the same class as Cialis (PDE5 inhibitors) have been shown to take longer to work if taken with a large meal.
Since Tadalafil’s effects last up to 36 hours, it should not be taken more than once a day. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on when to take Cialis and how long to wait between doses.
Can I Take Cialis if I Have Kidney Dysfunction?
If you have kidney impairment, Cialis should generally not be taken daily. However, this is a discussion to have with a medical professional. The maximum dose prescribed for patients with kidney dysfunction is 10 mg as needed. You should not take Tadalafil more than twice per week.
The motivation for these restrictions is as follows. When Cialis increases circulation in the body so that the penis can fill with blood for an erection, it increases stress on the kidneys. If you are healthy, this increases pressure in the blood vessels in the kidney, and you produce more urine.
If the kidney is damaged or has limited function, it is dangerous to increase the pressure in its blood vessels. Excessive and persistent pressure causes increasing cell damage. This may cause decreased kidney function or cause the kidney to stop working altogether.
Because Cialis can be risky for patients with kidney impairment, you must let your doctor know if you have kidney disease. Make sure you report all the other medications you are taking, as there can be dangerous interactions between certain drugs.
With the proper information, your doctor can assess the potential risks and benefits of your Tadalafil use. The good news is that some doctors have been able to prescribe Cialis for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Our tip: How to buy Cialis with online prescription
Can Men with Liver Dysfunction Take Cialis?
Your liver has the job of detoxifying your body. Substances in the bloodstream are gradually broken down as they pass through the liver. This allows the body to excrete them.
If the liver is not functioning correctly, its filtering process is not efficient. The breakdown of substances in the bloodstream (including Cialis) is limited, and it takes much longer to filter out the toxins. Similar to the recommendation for patients with kidney disease, men with liver dysfunction should not take Tadalafil daily. The dosage is typically limited to 10 mg as needed.
If Cialis is taken daily or if the maximum dose of 20 mg is administered, further liver damage can occur. As the body takes longer to filter the Tadalafil out of the bloodstream, the effects of the medication last longer. Taking this medicine too frequently can lead to an overdose.
There can be numerous side effects if care is not taken to avoid higher doses for liver patients. These include problems in the cardiovascular system that can trigger life-threatening conditions. If further damage to the liver occurs, there can be a total loss of liver function.
One study found that patients with cirrhosis of the liver tolerated Tadalafil very well. They also had positive results after treatment with Cialis. The improvement in erectile function was more significant for those with more extreme cases of erectile dysfunction and did not depend on the severity of the liver disease.
What to Do in Case of Cialis Overdose
In the event of Tadalafil overdose, contact a doctor or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. The following symptoms can be signs of an overdose:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Hives
- Nausea
- Pain, numbness or tingling in the chest, arms, neck or jaw
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
If you have any of the following symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately:
- Chest pain or severe pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general feeling of sickness
- Drowsiness or fainting
- An erection that is painful or last four hours or longer
- Irregular heartbeat
- Ringing in the ears or sudden hearing loss
- Seizures
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden loss of vision
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet
- Visual disturbances
Article Sources
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- Porst, Hartmut et al. Efficacy of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction at 24 and 36 hours after dosing: a randomized controlled trial. In: Urology Volume 62, 07/2003. Elsevier Inc.
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- Moncada, I., Bethencourt, F, R and Lledó-García et al., (2014). Effects of Tadalafil Once Daily or On Demand Versus Placebo on Time to Recovery of Erectile Function in Patients After Bilateral Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy. World J Urol: 33, pp 1031-1038.