Should you take a daily erectile dysfunction pill?

Tadalafil (Cialis) is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs. Its major appeal? The drug comes in low-dose versions that can be taken daily. This means you can have sex at any time, rather than needing to take a pill from time to time as needed like other ED brands.

The starting dose for daily-use Cialis is 2.5 milligrams (mg). If that doesn’t work, you can increase your daily dose up to 5 mg. But is this the right approach for you—or are you better off with traditional ED drugs like Viagra, Levitra, or even the nondaily version of Cialis? If you are contemplating Cialis for daily use, consider these questions and then discuss it with your doctor:

How often do you have sex? If it’s two or more times a week, a daily pill might be a reasonable choice, since the drug continually circulates in your bloodstream.
How important is spontaneity? A daily pill clears the path for sex at any time—if the drug works for you. (Remember, just like other ED drugs, it may not work for everyone). On the other hand, the 36-hour window offered by the nondaily version of Cialis might offer enough spontaneity.
Have side effects of your current ED pill been bothering you? Taking a daily low-dose pill may reduce side effects, though it may reduce effectiveness as well. In studies, the most common daily pill side effects were headache, muscle pain, indigestion, and back pain.
How much alcohol do you drink? Men taking Cialis for daily use can experience a worrisome drop in blood pressure if they drink too much.
What other medications do you take? Ask your doctor if any medications or supplements you take might interact with a daily erectile dysfunction pill, including blood pressure drugs, antifungal drugs, and HIV drugs. Also, men taking nitrate medications are advised not to take any ED drugs.
How important is cost? While the manufacturer suggests that a 30-day supply of daily Cialis should cost about the same as eight pills of 36-hour Cialis a month, there’s no way to enforce this. Check your insurance policy and local pharmacies for price information.

Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch

Share this page:

Print this page:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Subscriptions

Online Learning Courses

Our FREE E-Newsletter

Get health information and advice from the experts at Harvard Medical School.

Daily Health Tip

Get a flu shot

Almost all adults should a get flu shot each year. The best time to get the shot is in the fall, before the flu season begins. But it’s not too late to get one in January or February.

Sign Up Now For HEALTH beat. Our FREE E-mail Newsletter

In each issue of HEALTHbeat:

Get trusted advice from the doctors at Harvard Medical School
Learn tips for living a healthy lifestyle
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in health
Receive special offers on health books and reports
Plus, receive your FREE Bonus Report, “101 Tips for Tip-Top Health”

Difference Between Cialis 36 Hour Daily