Cialis is an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment in a pill. Unlike most other ED medications, the effects of Cialis are long-lasting; it can work for up to 36 hours.
Cialis contains tadalafil, which works by increasing blood flow to your penis.[1]
How is Cialis different from Viagra?
The main difference between the two is how long the pills work for. Viagra usually lasts for up to five hours, whereas Cialis stays in your system for up to 36 hours.
But they’re the same type of medication and work in the same way.
What’s the difference between Cialis and Cialis Daily?
Cialis Daily is a low-dose version of Cialis, which you can take every day. This means the medication is working in your system constantly.
Cialis is taken as and when you need it, usually around 30 minutes before you have sex. You need to be aroused in order for both types of Cialis to work effectively.
What’s the difference between Cialis and Tadalafil?
In short—branding. Tadalafil is a generic medication, which means it’s made by several manufacturers. Cialis is made by just one company (Lilly).
Both pills treat ED in the same way, so choosing one is usually a case of personal preference. Generic medications are usually cheaper, but you might feel more comfortable trusting a brand.
How long does Cialis last?
Tadalafil can work for up to 36 hours.
This doesn’t mean you’ll get an erection that lasts for 36 hours. But it should help you get stronger erections during this timeframe, so you won’t need to anticipate exactly when you expect to be sexually active.
Which Cialis dosage works best?
Cialis pills come in four strengths: 10 mg and 20mg, which are known as ‘weekend’ doses; and 2.5mg and 5mg, which are daily doses.
To start with, your physician will usually prescribe the lowest dose pill to see if that improves your ED. If you feel like you need a stronger pill, you can talk to them about switching doses.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on July 30, 2025. Next review due on July 30, 2028.
How we source info.
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. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Cialis
Swallow your tablets whole with a glass of water. Because the effects of the pill last 36 hours, avoid taking more than one a day.
You usually take one pill between 30-60 minutes before you have sex. Cialis isn’t a magic bullet, so it won’t increase sexual desire. But it can improve your erections once you’re aroused.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on July 30, 2025. Next review due on July 30, 2028.
How we source info.
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. Read more in our editorial policy.
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There are some things you need to watch out for when taking Cialis, and not everyone can use it.
Here’s the official safety info. If there’s something you’re not sure about, let us know.
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Cialis: FAQ
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How effective is Cialis?
Answer:
Studies have shown tadalafil to be effective, safe and well tolerated.[1] Participants in this trial used it for 18-24 months, which means it can be used as a long-term ED treatment.
Erectile dysfunction can have lots of causes, such as specific health conditions and as a result of taking certain medications regularly. Cialis can improve your symptoms while you treat the underlying cause of your ED.
Will Cialis cure my ED?
Answer:
Cialis can help ED symptoms by improving your erections, but it won’t treat whatever is causing it.
ED causes can be physical as well as psychological. Conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are all known to contribute to erectile dysfunction. It can also be caused by factors like stress, depression, and smoking.[2]
How does Cialis work?
Answer:
Cialis works by improving blood flow to your penis. It does this by blocking an enzyme, PDE5, which can stop certain muscles from relaxing.
With blood flowing easier around your body, you should find it easier to get strong erections.
Is Cialis prescription only?
Answer:
You’ll need a prescription to start using Cialis. A physician will first check if it seems like the fit for managing your ED, and if the pills are safe and suitable for you.
Cialis Daily also requires a prescription. Even though it’s a lower dose pill than Cialis, taking it daily might not be the best ED treatment for some people.
Is Cialis the best treatment for ED?
Answer:
There are lots of treatments available for managing ED. Sildenafil, and the branded version of it, Viagra, work in the same way as Cialis. They’re taken before sex, and increase blood flow to your penis.
Other ED options might suit you better if you don’t want to feel the effects of them for longer than an evening (or whichever 4-5 hour window you use it during). The ‘weekend’ dose of Cialis will suit you if you want the pill to work for an extended period of time. It can remove the timing factor from experiencing ED, by giving you a bigger window of opportunity.
How long will I need to use Cialis for?
Answer:
You can use Cialis long-term. There aren’t many studies that have looked at use for longer than 24 months, and if you plan on using Cialis for longer than this, you might want to look at what could be causing your ED.
If you’re using Cialis often, it might be worth using Cialis Daily so there’s always a low level of tadalafil in your system.
What if Cialis doesn’t improve my ED?
Answer:
Finding the right ED treatment might involve some trial-and-error. If you feel like Cialis isn’t improving things, you might just need to change doses.
Making lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet and exercising more can help with ED. As you start to feel healthier, Cialis might work more effectively. If you want to try an alternative medication, you can speak to your physician about changing.
Treated trusted source:
Montorsi, F., et al (2004). Long-term safety and tolerability of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. European Urology, 45(3), pp.339–344.
Lowy, M. and Ramanathan, V. (2022). Erectile dysfunction: causes, assessment and management options. Australian Prescriber, 45(5), pp.159–161.Â
Last updated on Jul 30, 2025.
How we reviewed this page:
Our experts continually monitor new findings in health and medicine, and we update our articles when new info becomes available.
Why this page was updated on Jul 30, 2025
Content checked and updated as part of our 3-yearly periodic review, to ensure accuracy and currentness.
Current version (Jul 30, 2025)
Edited by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell, Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Aug 01, 2022
Published by: The Treated Content Team.Medically reviewed by: Dr Daniel Atkinson, Clinical Reviewer
How we source info.
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. Read more in our editorial policy.
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Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer
Cristina writes content for Treated, and reviews content produced by our other writers to make sure it’s clinically accurate.
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. Read more in our editorial policy.
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