Tadalafil Dosage Guide
Tadalafil (the active ingredient in brand names Adcirca® and Cialis®) is popular for its long duration and flexibility in dosing (which can be taken daily or as-needed), setting it apart from other erectile dysfunction (ED) meds. It lasts for up to 36 hours.
Its multiple dosing options can offer benefits, but they can also make knowing how to take the medication a bit confusing.
While the maximum dose of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction may give you intense erections, it’s important to choose the right dosage for your individual needs to experience minimal side effects and avoid permanent or serious injury.
In this guide, we’ll break down how tadalafil works, the available dosages, and how to take it for the best results, whether you’re aiming for spontaneity or long-term consistency.
How Tadalafil Dosing Works
Since tadalafil is the longest-lasting medication for erectile dysfunction, it should be treated differently than many other medications on the market.
The key reason: A single dose of tadalafil may provide relief from ED for up to 36 hours. If we wade into the science for a moment, that means the half-life of tadalafil is approximately 17.5 hours.
That’s a really long time, and it’s only an average. In elderly men, for instance, tadalafil has a slightly longer half-life of roughly 21.6 hours.
As a long-lasting ED medication, tadalafil is only recommended for use once per day.
For optimal results, it’s recommended to take tadalafil at least 30 minutes before you and your partner plan to have sex. But if you have sex every four hours, you won’t want to use tadalafil every time, as this could be very dangerous.
Your best bet? Consult with a trusted healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
Tadalafil Dose Uses
Contrary to popular belief, tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors won’t make you get random erections.
Instead, proper use of tadalafil just increases blood flow to your penis, meaning you’ll only get an erection when you receive sexual stimulation or feel sexually aroused.
Tadalafil works by inhibiting the effects of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (or PDE5), an enzyme found in the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels.
PDE5 plays a major role in regulating the flow of blood to certain parts of your body, including the erectile tissues of your penis. By inhibiting the effects of PDE5, tadalafil makes it easier for blood to flow to your penis and produce an erection.
Our guide to PDE5 inhibitors has more information about how tadalafil, sildenafil, and other medications for erectile dysfunction work.
There are a number of common use cases for this medication, including:
Daily tadalafil for ED
On-demand tadalafil for ED
Tadalafil for the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Tadalafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Let’s look at the actual dosages in more detail.
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Tadalafil Dose and Timing Guide
The prescription drug is a PDE5 inhibitor, meaning it blocks phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes that reduce blood flow to the penile tissues.
So tadalafil essentially treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to your penis, making it easier for you to get an erection when you feel sexually aroused.
Tadalafil is available in several dosages, from a minimum dosage of 2.5mg (milligrams) all the way up to a 20mg per tablet, the maximum dose of tadalafil in 24 hours.
Tadalafil 10mg: Typical Starting Dose
The typical as-needed starting dose of tadalafil is 10mg. The medication is typically prescribed at this dosage for use as needed before sex for men with mild to moderate ED.
And if you begin your ED treatment journey with tadalafil, you’ll almost certainly be prescribed a 10mg dose to start.
Most guys with ED who use tadalafil at this dosage are able to have sex successfully. Still, it’s possible that this dosage won’t meet your individual needs. In this case, your healthcare provider may prescribe a higher dose.
For all as-needed dosages, you’ll typically want to take tadalafil at least 30 minutes to two hours before you plan to get intimate.
Mild ED Dose: 5mg Tadalafil
If your erectile dysfunction is fairly mild, or if you develop side effects from using tadalafil at a higher dosage, your healthcare provider may prescribe tadalafil at a dosage of 5mg.
This is the lowest as-needed tadalafil dosage currently available. Although it’s slightly less effective than the 10mg and 20mg dosages at treating ED, it’s also less likely to cause certain side effects, which, for men with heart conditions and those vulnerable to dizziness, can be a necessary precaution for safe and effective use.
Tadalafil 20mg: Max Dose
If you don’t notice any improvements from a 10mg dosage, or don’t experience a big enough improvement to have satisfactory sex, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger 20mg dosage of tadalafil.
The maximum dosage of tadalafil is 20mg, used as needed for sexual intercourse for men with more severe ED. If you’re prescribed tadalafil at this dosage, it’s likely because smaller doses weren’t giving you the results you were hoping for.
Since tadalafil 20mg dosage is a higher dose, it’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take your medication no more than once per day.
At this dosage, tadalafil is more effective at improving erectile function and helping men with ED have sex successfully. Research shows that a dosage of 20mg is particularly effective for men with severe erectile dysfunction.
Clinical trials show that side effects from tadalafil are slightly more common at this dosage than at a lower dosage of 10mg, though the difference in tolerability is relatively small.
For Daily Tadalafil Dosing: 2.5mg and 5mg Tadalafil
While tadalafil is available as-needed, it’s also available for once-daily use in much smaller dosages for always-on preparedness for sexual activity. Daily dose tadalafil is available at a dosage of 2.5mg or 5mg tablets.
There might be several reasons to go with daily dosages instead of the dosages where you take the medication as needed. Using tadalafil daily offers several advantages, as we’ve explained in our full guide to daily-use Cialis Together.
However, keep in mind that daily use might change the side effect outcomes for some people. Side effects such as indigestion and flushing may become more frequent with daily use.
When used daily, tadalafil should be taken at approximately the same time each day to maintain a stable concentration in the body.
Tadalafil Dosage Side Effects
It’s important to know that side effects can increase based on dosage, frequency of use, and whether you’re on any other medications.
We’ve covered the numerous (and mostly tolerable) tadalafil side effects in our comprehensive guide, but serious side effects at all dosages can include:
Hearing loss
Loss of vision
Priapism (prolonged erections without stimulation)
Once you and your healthcare provider work out the correct dosage for you, tadalafil should effectively improve your erections and enhance your sexual performance.
But there are some potentially dangerous mistakes you’ll want to avoid when taking tadalafil. Let’s look at those in the big picture of how to take the medication correctly.
Tadalafil Drug Interactions
Drug interactions can be serious business. If you’re taking certain medications, you might need a lower dose of tadalafil, so tell your healthcare provider if you use:
Alpha blockers
Nitrates, nitroglycerin, and nitric oxide supplements
Ketoconazole, itraconazole, or other antifungal medications
Tamsulosin
Erythromycin
Doxazosin
You should also tell your healthcare provider if you have renal or kidney disease, angina, Peyronie’s disease, an enlarged prostate, or pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure).
You’ll want to avoid consuming grapefruit juice while taking tadalafil. This is because grapefruit juice can lead to some of the same interactions as those of prescription drugs.
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How to Take Tadalafil Dose for Best Results
Failing to follow best practices around tadalafil can reduce the medication’s effectiveness, increase your risk of common side effects, and generally make your tadalafil-taking experience less optimal. You don’t want to do any of those things intentionally.
Instead, follow this guide. To get the best results from tadalafil, try to:
Take tadalafil at least 30 minutes before having sex. Tadalafil usually reaches its peak blood concentration between 30 minutes and six hours. If you’re prescribed tadalafil for use as needed, you’ll get the best results by taking it at least 30 minutes before you and your partner plan to have sex. If you don’t notice any improvement, try taking tadalafil about two hours before you have sex.
Limit your alcohol consumption. Taking tadalafil (Cialis) with alcohol may increase your risk of developing side effects, including low blood pressure (hypotension). Alcohol can also affect your sexual performance and ability to maintain an erection during sex. It’s okay to drink a small amount of alcohol while using tadalafil, but it’s best to avoid heavy drinking while using this medication.
Combine tadalafil with a healthy lifestyle. Your cardiovascular health plays a key role in your erectile function and sexual performance, meaning medications such as tadalafil work best if you live a healthy lifestyle.
Avoid drug interactions. Medications and foods may cause problems with ED medication and intensify the effects of tadalafil. Beyond potential drug interactions, this also means that you shouldn’t double up on a missed dose.
Obviously, there are many things you can do to take tadalafil incorrectly, and the worst of them is, arguably, taking too much of the medication.
For example, taking 40mg of tadalafil (two 20mg tablets) is not recommended when being used for ED. This dosage of tadalafil is higher than the typical recommended dose for ED and could increase your risk of developing side effects, including potentially harmful side effects.
Do not make dosage adjustments without professional supervision.
And if you don’t experience improvements from tadalafil at a dosage of 10mg or 20mg, talk to your healthcare provider. They’ll be able to guide you through other steps so you can have a happy and healthy sex life.
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Tadalafil Dosages for ED: Final Thoughts
If you’re one of the tens of millions of men in the US affected by ED, medications like tadalafil can improve your erections and help you have more satisfying sex.
In fact, tadalafil is one of four Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oral medications for ED, along with sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).
But you have to take it properly and safely to get the results you want. The following cheat sheet will help you get what you need safely:
Flexible dosing options. Tadalafil can be taken as needed (5 to 20mg) or daily (2.5 to 5mg), with effects lasting up to 36 hours—significantly longer than other ED medications.
No one-size-fits-all dose. The right dose depends on your needs, side effect tolerance, and health status. Always work with your provider to get it right.
Safe use is critical. Avoid doubling up, mixing with contraindicated meds, or ignoring side effects.
As with other ED medications, there’s no “best” dosage of tadalafil for all. Your healthcare provider will work with you to choose the best dosage based on your desired health outcomes, including treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
If medication isn’t helping, there’s more you can do. Our guide to naturally protecting your erections shares actionable, science-based tactics you can use to improve your sexual health and get better results from tadalafil.
Need more guidance? Want medication? We can help. We also offer tadalafil chewables to take daily or as needed to help with stronger, longer-lasting erections—following a consultation with a healthcare provider.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.