Can I Buy Generic Cialis? What You Need to Know About Tadalafil in 2024

Tadalafil is a generic version of the prescription drug Cialis. Doctors prescribe it to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It helps relieve erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis.

Generic Cialis is called tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis. Cialis is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP). Generic tadalafil became more widely available after 2018.

According to the FDA , generic medications provide the same benefits as brand-name drugs. Generic medications are considered against the same standards as brand-name versions to make sure that they reach the same level of:

• strength
• safety
• effectiveness
• stability
• quality

Usually, generic drugs aren’t available until the expiration of the brand name’s patent. Eli Lilly and Company’s patent for Cialis expired in 2018, opening the market to generic competitors.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about generic Cialis.

Tadalafil, or generic Cialis, is most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it’s also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Along with other medications used to treat ED, Cialis and generic tadalafil are only available by prescription.

Tadalafil, like other phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, can interact dangerously with nitrate-based medications, such as Imdur and Nitrostat. This includes nitrates used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure.

Generic versions of tadalafil that are FDA-approved are just as effective as Cialis. The FDA provides a rigorous inspection process to make sure companies selling these generic drugs undergo good manufacturing processes and that their drugs provide the same clinical benefits.

FDA-approved tadalafil and Cialis are cleared for treating ED and both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors that work in the same way — by dilating blood vessels in order to increase blood flow to the penis.

While the results are very similar, one of the biggest differences between the two is the price. Generic tadalafil pills are often less than half the price of Cialis.

A 2019 study found that from 2012 to 2017, the median price of Cialis jumped from $127 to $365 for 30 tablets. Generic brands start at around $100 for 30 tablets.

Price depends on the strength of the dose per pill and the pharmacy you’re buying it from. Coupons and discounts may be available. Cialis and tadalafil can both be bought online. More information can be found here.

Finding generic tadalafil

Keep in mind that not all brands of generic tadalafil are FDA approved. You can use the search tool on the FDA website to find an up-to-date list of approved brands.

Tadalafil falls into a category of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors.

When you become sexually aroused, the nerve terminals and blood vessels in your penis release a molecule called nitric oxide (NO) . NO activates a series of chemical reactions that increase blood flow to your penis by relaxing your blood vessels.

Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra block an enzyme called PDE5. By inhibiting PDE5, nitric oxide can be more effective at relaxing blood vessels in the penis and increasing blood flow. This ultimately results in a stronger erection.

However, both psychological and physiological factors can disrupt the sequence of reactions needed to achieve an erection. For PDE5 inhibitors to work, you still need to be sexually aroused. If your ED is caused by psychological factors, PDE5 inhibitors won’t help treat ED.

Tadalafil is thought to help treat symptoms of BPH by relaxing the muscles in your prostate and bladder. It helps improve symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension by relaxing the blood vessels in your lungs.