Two ways to take tadalafil
Cialis is the brand name of tadalafil, made by Eli Lilly. It treats erectile dysfunction and the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow into the penis when you are aroused.
There are two approved ways to take it. As-needed dosing is 10 or 20 mg taken before sex, and it lasts up to 36 hours. Daily dosing is 2.5 or 5 mg taken once a day at the same time, so the drug is always at a steady level and you can have sex whenever the moment comes.
Zen IV Spa prescribes generic tadalafil, which is FDA-approved, through our $129 ED program. Both dosing styles are options.
Why men choose the daily dose
The big benefit is spontaneity. No planning, no timing, no pill right before. Many couples find that removes pressure and makes sex feel more natural.
Daily tadalafil is also approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, which is an enlarged prostate that causes weak stream and night-time bathroom trips. Men who have both ED and BPH get two benefits from one pill.
Some men also find the low daily dose causes fewer side effects than a 20 mg as-needed dose, because the amount in the body at any one time is smaller.
What the studies show
Daily tadalafil was tested in randomized placebo-controlled trials before the FDA approved it in 2008. Men on 5 mg daily had significantly better erection scores than men on placebo, and the effect held over the full study period.
Longer studies followed men for one to two years on daily tadalafil. The drug kept working and no new safety problems appeared. Side effects did not build up over time.
A few small studies suggest daily tadalafil may help men recover erections after prostate surgery, though results are mixed and it is not approved for that use.
Side effects and safety
Common side effects of daily tadalafil are headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy nose. They are usually mild and often fade after the first few weeks as your body adjusts.
Rare but serious effects include sudden hearing or vision loss and an erection lasting more than four hours, called priapism. Both need emergency care.
Tadalafil must never be combined with nitrates, like nitroglycerin for chest pain, or with certain blood pressure drugs called alpha-blockers without a doctor's guidance. It can also interact with grapefruit and some antibiotics and antifungals. Always share your full medicine list.
Who should not take it daily
Men with serious heart disease, very low blood pressure, recent stroke or heart attack, severe liver or kidney disease, or a history of priapism need a careful medical review first. Some can take it with adjustments; some cannot.
Men with severe kidney disease are usually limited to a lower dose. Those on strong CYP3A4 blockers, such as ketoconazole or ritonavir, may need a different dose or a different drug.
If you only have sex once in a while, as-needed dosing may be simpler and cheaper. Daily dosing is for men who want readiness every day.
How to get started
Zen IV Spa serves men in New York and New Jersey. The first video visit with our medical team is free. We go over your heart health, medicines, and goals, and decide together whether daily or as-needed tadalafil fits. If labs are needed, a licensed nurse comes to your home.
Our ED program is $129 and includes generic tadalafil or sildenafil shipped to your door, with follow-up by video. Learn more at /sexual-wellness/ or call (332) 239-2005.
Common Questions
Is it safe to take Cialis every day?+
Yes for most men. Daily tadalafil at 2.5 or 5 mg is FDA-approved, and long-term studies found no new safety problems.
What is the daily dose of tadalafil?+
2.5 mg or 5 mg once a day at the same time each day. Your prescriber picks the dose based on your health.
How long until daily Cialis works?+
It reaches a steady level after about five days. Many men notice a difference within the first week.
Can I stop daily tadalafil suddenly?+
Yes. There is no withdrawal. The effect simply wears off over a couple of days.
Does daily tadalafil help an enlarged prostate?+
Yes. The 5 mg daily dose is FDA-approved for BPH urinary symptoms as well as ED.
Sources: FDA prescribing information for Cialis (tadalafil), 2023; Porst H. et al., Tadalafil once daily for ED, European Urology 2006; American Urological Association ED guideline (2018).
All treatments are medical services. Every guest is screened, and every treatment is prescribed by a licensed provider. Nothing on this page is medical advice for you personally, and the opinions summarized here belong to the doctors named, not to Zen IV Spa. Talk to a provider before starting or stopping anything.
