Cialis (tadalafil): what it does, how to use it, and what to watch for

Cialis can last up to 36 hours — yes, really. That long window is the main thing people pick it for. If you want a clear, usable rundown on tadalafil (the active drug in Cialis), this page gives you straight facts: how it works, common doses, safety checks, and smart ways to buy it online.

How Cialis works and common dosing

Cialis relaxes the blood vessels in the penis so blood flows in during arousal. For erectile dysfunction (ED) it comes in two main ways: as-needed and daily.

As-needed dosing: usually 10 mg taken about 30–60 minutes before sex. Doctors may increase it to 20 mg or drop it to 5 mg depending on how you respond and any side effects.

Daily dosing: 2.5–5 mg every day. This is a good option if you expect sexual activity more than twice a week or if you also have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms. For BPH and some cases of combined ED/BPH, tadalafil can help urinary symptoms too.

Onset can be 30–60 minutes, but food doesn’t majorly change how well it works (unlike some other ED drugs). Remember: sexual stimulation is still needed — the pill doesn’t cause an erection by itself.

Safety tips, side effects, and buying advice

Common side effects are headache, flushing, indigestion, back or muscle pain, and nasal congestion. These usually fade in a few hours or a day. Serious but rare problems include prolonged erections (priapism), sudden vision loss, or chest pain. If you get any of those, seek emergency care.

Big interaction to memorize: never take Cialis with nitrates (nitroglycerin, some chest pain meds). Together they can drop your blood pressure dangerously. Be cautious with alpha-blockers and certain blood pressure drugs — talk with your doctor about timing and doses. If you have heart disease, recent stroke, or uncontrolled high blood pressure, get medical clearance first.

Buying online? Check the pharmacy’s license, readable contact info, customer reviews, and whether they require a prescription. Extremely low prices or no-prescription offers are red flags. Our site has articles on safe online pharmacies and Canada pharmacy tips if you want more detail.

Quick, practical checklist: confirm your dose with a clinician, avoid nitrates, limit heavy alcohol, expect side effects that usually go away, and only buy from a licensed source that asks for a prescription.

If you want deeper reads, look through our posts on ED medication alternatives, safe online pharmacies, and finding deals on drugs like Fildena. And always talk to your doctor before starting or changing treatment — that short chat can stop big problems before they start.