Frequently Asked Questions

• I have never used Cialis before, where do I start?

  As a new user, you may be wondering what Cialis dose is best. If this is your first time using Cialis then you will usually be starting with the 10mg version. If this level of medication works then you will stay on this course. If not you will normally try a few more times. If this fails you can then move up to the higher strength version which is 20 mg.

• I have taken Cialis tablets but they didn’t work, what should I do?

  If you have tried Cialis 10mg and it was unsuccessful it is important to try it again a few more times in order to make sure. If this still isn’t successful then it is recommended to take a higher dosage. You should speak to your doctor about this but the higher dosage will usually be 20mg.

• What to do if the Cialis tablets are not effective?

  Alternatively you could try taking a higher dosage of Viagra (100mg) or Levitra (20mg). These medications should also be tried at least four, but up to eight individual times.

• I have tried Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra, and none of them worked – what should I do?

  Approximately 25% of men will be unsuccessful when using Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra or unable to use them due to their side effects and other associated adverse health conditions.

  If you fall into this category do not give up – there are other options available to try.

  It might be an idea to try a treatment that can be applied directly to the penis. Vitaros, for example, is a cream containing the active ingredient alprostadil and can be applied directly to the tip of the penis.

  These methods work properly in around 65% of men, providing an erection within 5 to 30 minutes and lasting for up to 2 hours.

  If these treatments don’t work, then you can consider medications which are directly injected into the penis. This method is effective in around 80% of men. This kind of treatment will usually be undertaken in a hospital so you can be shown how to use them safely and effectively. Some of the most common types include Caverject and Viridal which make use of the ingredient alprostadil as well as Invicorp which makes use of the ingredients aviptadil and phentolamine.

• Should I be taking Cialis daily, or only when required?

  For most men, Cialis can be taken as and when needed. If you need regular treatment for erectile dysfunction (more than two or three times a week) then the low-dose daily Cialis might be a better option. Cialis daily tablets of 2.5mg or 5mg can be taken every day to provide a continuous treatment for your erectile dysfunction - without peaks and troughs.

• What are the ingredients in Cialis and how does it work?

  Cialis makes use of an active ingredient known as tadalafil, which is a PDE5 inhibitor. This means that tadalafil will inhibit your body’s PDE5 enzyme which is responsible for regulating the way that blood flows into the penis. When using Cialis it is important to bear in mind that sexual stimulation is also required in order for it to work. In this way Cialis will support your relationships and sexual performance.

  Cialis is also an effective treatment for symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate.

• Why am I suffering from erectile dysfunction?

  There are a wide range of factors which can contribute to erectile dysfunction. Some of these include:

  • Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and smoking
  • Your mental state
  • Certain chronic diseases
  • Certain injuries or operations
  • Emotional stress of anxiety

  In some cases, erectile dysfunction is an indicator of other underlying health problems, including:

  • Diabetes
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Heart disease

  You should speak to your doctor if you suffer from erectile dysfunction as they will want to assess your situation and perform tests.

• How does Cialis compare to other ED treatments? Is it the best option?

  People often ask: is Cialis better than Viagra? When you compare one vs. the other, Cialis is often a popular choice, as its effects last for a relatively long duration. The effects of Viagra, for example, last around four hours while Levitra lasts for twelve. On the other hand, Cialis lasts for 36 hours which is why it is known as the ‘weekend pill’. It is important to note that you will not have a continuous erection for 36 hours, they will only occur during regular sexual arousal.

  There are other alternative tablet based medications for treating erectile dysfunction which can be purchased in a wide range of sizes and strengths. Some of these include:

  • Viagra
  • Sildenafil
  • Levitra
  • Spedra

  Vitaros cream is also an available treatment for those who cannot use oral medication.

• Taking Cialis for the first time

  It is important to familiarise yourself with the various strengths that Cialis is available in:

  Generally, most men will start using a 10 mg dosage roughly an hour before required. If this dose seems to work very effectively then following doses may be lowered to 5mg for a trial period. Likewise if the 10 mg dose is not effective, you will be able to increase the dose to 20 mg.

  No benefit will be gained by using a higher dose than is necessary. It is important to trial each strength multiple times before switching in order to fully make sure that it doesn’t work.

• Will Cialis work every time?

  The effectiveness of Cialis is usually consistent and predictable - if it works once then it will work again. Depending on the cause of your erectile dysfunction you may need to undergo other therapies such as injections or penile implants.

  It is possible that your erectile dysfunction might need a specialist treatment aside from a course of Cialis. If your erectile dysfunction is as a result of a psychological problem, for example, then counselling might be required.

  As erectile dysfunction can be a distressing time, it is recommended that all men visit their doctor for a full and thorough assessment.

• How does Cialis help BPH?

  Cialis is the first ED drug that has been approved by the FDA for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH often causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as a constant need to go, and usually affects men above the age of 50. Cialis is now prescribed to counteract the symptoms of BPH, which it does by relaxing the muscle cells in the bladder and prostate. Studies have shown that men who take just 5 mg of Cialis per day see improvements in both ED and BPH symptoms.

• What should Cialis cost?

  For those prescribed the typical 10-20 mg dosage of Cialis, you should expect to pay around £45 for a pack of 4 tablets – or just over £11 per tablet. Viagra and Levitra both work out slightly cheaper, but since Cialis lasts for a longer period of time, some men may consider it worth the extra cost. The Independent Pharmacy offers free standard tracked delivery on orders over £40.

   

• Can I buy generic Cialis?

  Generic Cialis is not available yet, but it could be within the year. Generic Cialis will become available under the name Tadalafil, and may be cheaper as a result of being generic rather than branded – in a similar way to branded Viagra vs. generic Sildenafil. However, users should always be wary about buying fake or generic medicines online, when not purchasing through a trusted and regulated supplier. If you are not asked for a prescription, or offered a secure means of getting one (such as through an online doctor service), then there is reason to be concerned about the product you are getting. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

   

• Should I be worried about Cialis interactions?

  Certain other drugs should not be taken in combination with Cialis. It should also not be combined with alcohol, as this can worsen the side effects. You should always consult a doctor (online or otherwise) before taking Cialis, especially if you suffer from any of the following:

  Pulmonary Disease
  Renal Dysfunction
  Cardiovascular Disease

  Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to go into detail about which medications and ingredients are known to interact with Cialis, and tell you what to avoid. They include (but are not limited to):

  Amyl nitrite
  Boceprevir
  Hydralazine
  Isosorbide
  Nitroglycerin
  Riociguat
  Telaprevir

• How effective is Cialis?

  Cialis has been effective when used by most men. In clinical trials, after 36 hours, men who had used Cialis 10mg or 20mg were 88% more likely to have had successful intercourse at least once compared to men who did not take Cialis (source).

• Can I take two Cialis tablets at once?

  20 mg is the maximum dosage of Cialis and should not be exceeded. Rather than taking more pills, it’s recommended you up your dosage.

• How long does it take for Cialis to get out of your system?

  Tadalafil (the active ingredient) stays active in the body for up to 36 hours. Remember that Cialis only works to produce an erection when you are sufficiently sexually stimulated.

• Can I buy Cialis safely online?

  Yes, but you will have to undertake a short medical consultation with an online doctor first, as Cialis is only available on prescription in the UK.

• Is Cialis prescription-only?

  Yes, it is (at least in the UK). This means that you should have a short medical consultation before ordering your pills online, or see your local GP or doctor. You should not buy unlicensed ED treatments like Kamagra off websites.

• How long does it take for Cialis to work?

  Whether you take Cialis 10mg, or Cialis 20mg, the treatment will start to work about half an hour after taking the pill. The effect wears off after about 36 hours.