{"id":633402,"date":"2025-09-03T15:00:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T19:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633402"},"modified":"2025-10-08T16:31:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:31:27","slug":"cialis-directions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cialis-directions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to take Cialis for ED"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some prescription medications offer a lot of flexibility in timing and dosing, allowing you to fit them easily into your existing routine. But other drugs need to be taken in specific ways in order to provide the effects or benefits you\u2019re hoping for. <\/span>Cialis<\/span><\/a> (tadalafil) is one of these drugs. Approved to treat <\/span>erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/a> (ED) in men, Cialis can be very effective when taken the correct way. But if you\u2019re new to this medication, you may be wondering what that \u201ccorrect\u201d way is: When should you take it, what should you take it with, and what can you expect after you do? Here\u2019s what to know about when and how to use Cialis.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Cialis, and how does it work?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cialis<\/span><\/a> is a type of medication called a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This means it blocks the PDE5 enzyme, which normally prevents muscles\u2014including those in blood vessels\u2014from relaxing. In addition to ED, Cialis is also approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate.<\/span><\/p>\n

By allowing the muscles to relax, Cialis enhances the body’s natural response during sexual arousal, allowing for the increased blood flow needed to enlarge the penis and create an erection, according to <\/span>Roshni Patel<\/span><\/a>, MD, internal medicine provider at Executive Medicine of Texas.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that Cialis doesn\u2019t automatically cause an erection, but makes it easier for you to get and maintain one with arousal. In other words, some kind of stimulation is still needed for Cialis to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: How much does Cialis cost without insurance?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cialis directions explained\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cialis is available in several doses: 2.5 milligrams, 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, and 20 milligrams. Not all of these doses are appropriate for all of the reasons Cialis is prescribed, however.<\/span><\/p>\n

For daily use for ED, Dr. Patel says most people start with the smallest dose, 2.5 milligrams (mg), and can choose to increase their dose to 5 mg\u2014under the guidance of their healthcare provider\u2014depending on how they respond to it. This daily dose should be taken at the same time each day, regardless of sexual activity. If you are taking Cialis daily for BPH\u2014or for both ED and BPH\u2014the typical daily dose is 5 mg once daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are taking Cialis as needed, your provider may allow you to take 10 milligrams as a single dose, although some people require higher doses after a trial period. Dr. Patel says this dose should be taken at least 30 minutes before participating in sexual activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever type of Cialis dosing you\u2019re on, Dr. Patel says you should never take more than one of your prescribed tablets per day. In other words, if you take a daily dose in the morning, you should not take another dose later that day before sexual activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

You should take Cialis with a glass of water, and avoid excessive alcohol. Combining Cialis with excessive amounts of alcohol can <\/span>increase your risk for blood pressure-related side effects<\/span><\/a>, like headache and dizziness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cialis daily vs. as-needed: Which to choose<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your healthcare provider gives you a choice between daily or as-needed Cialis, you may be wondering which one to choose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Patel says as-needed Cialis is better for men who have less frequent sexual activity and no other related health conditions, while daily Cialis is a good choice for men who have sex regularly or who also have BPH: \u201cOnce-daily Cialis can treat both conditions simultaneously, [which] is often a win-win for many of my patients,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also want to think about how easy it is for you to plan for sexual activity, according to Dr. Patel, since daily Cialis dosing allows for spontaneous intimacy without having to worry about timing your medication beforehand.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does Cialis last?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experts recommend taking Cialis at least 30 minutes before sexual activity because it can take some time to begin working. <\/span>Studies show<\/span><\/a> the effects usually peak around two hours after you first take the medication, so try not to expect instant results (or become frustrated or anxious if the drug doesn\u2019t seem to be working yet), because that can interfere with your ability to be aroused.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, you have a relatively long window of time to expect the effects of Cialis to last\u2014about 24 to 36 hours, in many cases. That\u2019s why Cialis is sometimes called the \u201cweekend pill.\u201d You could take it on a Friday evening and still find it easier to become aroused until late Saturday evening or even Sunday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exactly how long it takes Cialis to begin working and to wear off depends on a few factors. According to <\/span>Dana Manning<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., RD, LDN, associate professor of pharmacy practice at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, some things that may slow down or speed up how quickly your body metabolizes this medication include:<\/span><\/p>\n