How and when to take tadalafil – Brand names: Cialis, Adcirca

It’s important to take this medicine as advised by a doctor or pharmacist.

If you have a private prescription for tadalafil, read the information that comes with your medicine carefully. The strength and dosage instructions can vary.

Dosage and strength

Tadalafil comes as 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets.

Dose for erectile dysfunction

The usual dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction is 10mg when you need it. Do not take more than 1 tablet a day.

Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose, depending on how well it works and how often you take it.

The effects may last longer than 24 hours, so you’re not recommended to take the 10mg or 20mg tablets every day.

For the tablet to work properly, you’ll need to be sexually excited.

Dose for benign prostate enlargement

Tadalafil for an enlarged prostate comes as 2.5mg or 5mg tablets. The usual dose is 5mg, taken once a day.

If you’re being treated for both benign prostate enlargement and erectile dysfunction, the dose is 5mg.

Dose for pulmonary hypertension

Tadalafil for pulmonary hypertension comes as 20mg tablets.

The usual dose is 40mg – two 20mg tablets, taken once a day.

If you have kidney or liver problems your doctor might decrease the starting dose to 10mg or 20mg.

How to take it

Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water or juice (but not grapefruit juice).

For erectile dysfunction, take 1 tablet at least 30 minutes before you want to have sex.

If you are taking tadalafil for prostate enlargement, you can take your tablet in the morning or evening, but it’s best to take it at the same time each day.

Tadalafil tablets for pulmonary hypertension are large and may be difficult to swallow.

If you forget to take it

benign prostate enlargement – take it as soon as you remember and then continue as usual
pulmonary hypertension – take it within 8 hours if you can. If you remember after 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

Taking too much tadalafil can cause side effects, including:

headache
dizziness
indigestion
stuffy nose
changes to your vision (such as blurred vision)

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

you take more than your prescribed dose of tadalafil

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the tadalafil packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

More in Tadalafil

Page last reviewed: 11 November 2022
Next review due: 11 November 2025

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