5 mg Cialis for Erectile Dysfunction and BPH

If you’re taking Cialis as needed, remember to give it enough time to work.

See also:

They’ll suggest either lowering your dose or recommend an alternative ED treatment. To minimize the risk of side effects avoid grapefruit, drinking too much alcohol, and do not take more than one dose of Cialis per day. If you aren’t seeing the results you want on Cialis Daily 2.5mg, and don’t experience side effects, your prescriber may recommend upping your dose to Cialis 5mg daily. It should be equally as effective at treating ED as Cialis. There is no Cialis 40mg or Tadalafil 40mg available in the US.

Alternatives for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

A tadalafil dosage of 40mg is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, but this is under careful medical supervision. Doses higher than 20mg have a higher risk of side effects and can dangerously affect blood pressure. One such side effect, priapism, is an erection that lasts more than 4 hours and requires immediate medical attention. At your consultation, make sure you give your doctor your full medical history. This will help them make the best initial decision about your erectile dysfunction treatment. Results aren’t instant, so aim for no less than 30 minutes before sex — longer if possible. Avoiding mixing Cialis with nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate or GTN spray. These cause a drop in blood pressure, which can be dangerous and never take double doses or split doses. 2004.The efficacy and safety of tadalafil: an update. Tadalafil administered once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A dose finding study. The Journal of Urology, 180(4), 1228-1234 Coward, Robert M., Carson, Culley C. 2008. A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of tadalafil 10 mg and 20 mg in Japanese patients with severe erectile dysfunction.

• Realistic expectations: may not result in an erection every time.
• Sexual stimulation is still required for an erection to occur.
• Can be part of a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise.
• Smoking can worsen ED and reduce treatment effectiveness.
• Managing underlying conditions like diabetes improves outcomes.
• Psychological counseling may be needed alongside medication.
• There is no tolerance build-up; efficacy is maintained long-term.
• Abrupt discontinuation does not cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Not a performance-enhancing drug for athletes; banned in some sports.
• Using more than one dose in 24 hours increases side effect risk.

The journal of sexual medicine, 4(3), pp.745–752. This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer on Sep 03, 2025. Next review due on Sep 03, 2028. When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body.

• Cialis should be stored in a cool, dry place.
• Keep medications out of reach of children.
• A 5 mg daily dose can improve quality of life.
• Cialis may be used with certain lifestyle changes.
• Regular sexual activity can enhance treatment effectiveness.
• Dose adjustments require physician approval.
• Do not take Cialis more than once per day.
• Notify your doctor of any other medications.
• Tadalafil, the active compound in Cialis, lasts longer than other ED drugs.
• Cialis can help reduce performance anxiety.
• It is important to have realistic expectations.
• Follow-up appointments help optimize treatment.

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Or, if you're looking for something we don't have yet, you can suggest something. All of our reviews are collected from real patients after their treatment has been delivered. We publish reviews collected through independent platforms including Reviews.io and Trustpilot. Why this page was updated on Sep 19, 2025 Content checked and updated as part of our 3-yearly periodic review, to ensure accuracy and currentness. Cialis (tadalafil) is a brand-name drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The typical dosage of Cialis depends on the condition it’s being used to treat. And for ED, the dosage depends on whether it’s taken daily or as needed. The maximum recommended dosage for ED or BPH is 20 mg per day.

Ethical approval

They may suggest another type of ED pill or an alternative treatment. As 20mg is the Cialis max dose there is no “Cialis 30mg” or beyond and you should never take more than one tablet in any 24 hour period. Known as the “standard dose,” Cialis 10mg is the initial dose of Cialis prescribed when starting treatment. Tadalafil 10mg is the generic equivalent and will be equally as effective. As it’s the unbranded version, the tadalafil 10mg price will be slightly cheaper.

Muscular Dystrophy (Orphan)

The 10mg dose works for around 71% of men and has a lower risk of side effects than the 20mg dose. If you’re starting treatment with Cialis daily, you’ll normally be prescribed Cialis 2.5mg. This is the lowest daily dose available. The unbranded, generic version is Tadalafil 2.5mg which once again is usually at a lower price point. But your physician can increase or decrease your dose based on your response to the treatment.

Incidence not known

This is to keep the risk of side effects low — your doctor will aim for the lowest dose possible to get the job done. (Which is 2.5mg for ‘daily’ use, and 10mg for ‘on-demand’ use. If your ‘on-demand’ dose doesn’t work well enough, your clinician may increase it to 20mg. And similarly, if your daily dose of 2.5mg isn’t generic cialis canada no prescription working as well as you’d like, it can then be increased to 5mg. If you experience side effects on Cialis, let your doctor or pharmacist know. Your doctor may adjust your Cialis dosage based on factors such as other medications you take, whether you experience bothersome side effects, and whether you have kidney or liver problems. Cialis belongs to a drug class called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It is available in a generic version.

Disclosure statement

Once you begin treatment, keep an eye out for any side effects and let your prescriber know if they occur. Whilst it’s important you give your prescribed dose a few tries, it should ultimately offer you the results you want. If this isn’t the case, again, let your clinician know. Getting the best results when you take Cialis is the end goal. Always follow the instructions in the leaflet or on the pack and any specific guidance given to you by your doctor. This article describes the dosages of Cialis, as well as its available strengths and how to take it. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Cialis.

Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those mentioned here. Cialis comes as an oral tablet in four strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.

• The daily regimen can reduce performance anxiety associated with timing.
• For BPH, it reduces urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia.
• It may take 4-6 weeks of daily use for full BPH benefits.
• Some men may experience muscle aches, often in the back or legs.
• Do not use if you have severe heart disease or recent heart attack.
• PDE5 inhibitors like Cialis are contraindicated with riociguat.
• A physical cause for ED should be investigated before treatment.
• Psychological factors can still contribute to ED while on medication.
• The pill does not increase sexual desire (libido) on its own.
• Manufacturer offers a savings card for eligible patients.

Cialis is approved to treat the following conditions: Note: Some people may be prescribed Cialis to treat both ED and BPH. Whichever condition Cialis is used to treat, the recommended maximum dose per day is 20 mg. This is the highest dosage that a doctor may prescribe. If you’re prescribed Cialis for daily use, the typical starting dosage is 2.5 mg taken once per day. If this dosage is not effective for you, your doctor may increase your dosage to 5 mg per day. You do not have to take Cialis at any specific time before sexual activity when it’s prescribed in this way.

Using Cialis With Food

Your clinician may recommend it if you’re not responding to the standard starting dose of 10mg. In a study of over a thousand men treated with Cialis 20mg, 91% were satisfied with the outcome of their treatment. Cialis 2.5mg is the lowest dosage offered. Whilst 2.5mg may sound low, daily dosing means that tadalafil is always circulating in your system, allowing for spontaneous sex. When compared, 72% of men preferred Cialis Daily over regular Cialis.

Other Medical Problems

Cialis 5mg is used in several ways. If you’re taking Cialis Daily at 2.5mg and you’re not seeing the results you would like, your clinician may prescribe you an increased dose of 5mg. Equally, if you’re taking Cialis at the starting dose of 10mg but find you’re suffering too many adverse side effects they may discuss lowering your dose to 5mg. Cialis 5mg is also used in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). So, if you’re over 40 years old and have noticed that you’re getting up more often at night to urinate, your urine stream is weaker than it used to be or you get some dribbling after urination, then Cialis daily will help that too.

Can Cialis be crushed, split, or chewed?

It’s also interesting to note that some of the traditional treatments for BPH, like tamsulosin or finasteride, can actually cause erection problems. If you’re taking BPH treatment, talk to our experts or your usual doctor about Cialis daily as it could be a suitable treatment. Different doses of Cialis offer you and your clinician flexibility. If you experience side effects these can be reduced with a lower dose. If you aren’t seeing the results you want, your dose can be increased. You can take your dose at any time of day. But you should try to take it at the same time every day.

• 5 mg Cialis is used for consistent, daily erectile support.
• The medication is available by prescription only.
• Cialis belongs to the class of PDE5 inhibitors.
• It is important to follow prescribed dosage instructions.
• Overdosing can lead to serious health risks.
• Cialis is generally well-tolerated in low doses.
• The drug can be used safely for long-term treatment.
• 5 mg doses are often preferred for older men.
• Cialis tablets are usually taken at the same time daily.
• Consistency helps maintain steady drug levels in blood.
• 5 mg doses can be adjusted by physicians based on response.
• Patients should report any adverse effects immediately.

This helps ensure there’s enough medication in your body for Cialis to be effective. The typical dosage of Cialis for occasional use in treating ED is 10 mg taken before sexual activity.

Alternative ED tablets

It also means that more men are likely to find a medication that helps their ED symptoms but also minimizes the risk of side effects. Cialis 10mg and 20mg will stay active in your system for up to 36 hours. Meaning once taken you have a 36-hour window where Cialis should make getting an erection easier. It does not mean you’ll have a prolonged erection and if you have an erection for four hours you should seek medical attention. By taking a low dose every day, Cialis daily maintains a constant level of the medication in your system, meaning you’re ready for sex at any time.

Financial and insurance assistance

This is why it’s a good idea to take Cialis daily at the same time every day so that it’s continuously active in your system. As far as Cialis daily vs on-demand, the answer depends on how you need Cialis to work for you. If you want spontaneous sex, Cialis daily is the better option. However, if your ED comes and goes, you don’t want to take a tadalafil daily dose or aren’t sexually active more than two days a week, on-demand Cialis may be best. It’s unlikely you will be prescribed it when you first start treatment.

ED dosage for occasional use

If you’ve tried a 10mg Cialis dosage, you haven’t seen results you hoped for and you didn’t have side effects, your clinician may consider prescribing the 20mg. You might feel the higher the dose the better, but if you get easy, strong erections on 10mg a higher dose isn’t going to beat that. It will however increase the risk of side effects. Your clinician will evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risk of side effects. If you’re prescribed 20mg and find either that you’re experiencing too many side effects or are not seeing the results you want, speak with your clinician. If you have side effects with the 10-mg dose, your doctor may reduce your dose to 5 mg. If the 10-mg dose doesn’t work for you, they may increase your dose to the maximum recommended dosage of 20 mg per day.