What is Cialis? How long does it last?

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction (ED), you’ve probably heard of Viagra. But the little blue pill isn’t the only effective ED medication on the market. Cialis (active ingredient, tadalafil) is another erectile dysfunction medication with an edge over its competitors–the effects of Cialis last longer than other drugs in its class. How long does Cialis last? Users report that they notice improvement in erections for as long as 36 hours after taking the medication. This means more spontaneous sexual encounters are within reach.

Continue reading to learn more about how long Cialis lasts.

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Cialis (tadalafil) belongs to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil, and avanafil also fall into this category). However, Cialis lasts longer than other PDE5 inhibitors.

Whether you take a smaller daily dose or a larger as-needed dose (always as prescribed by your healthcare provider), tadalafil’s effects start around 30 minutes after you take it, though it can take longer to take effect. Depending on your dosage, the medication is usually effective for up to 36 hours, with people who take Cialis reporting that they can get harder erections for up to a day and a half (36 hours) after their dose.

Cialis doesn’t work exactly the same for everyone. Other factors that may influence how long Cialis lasts for you include:

• Your dose

• Age 

• Lifestyle

• Frequency of use

• Underlying health conditions

• Additional medications

If you’re hoping for some spontaneity in the bedroom (i.e. a medication that lasts longer), Cialis may be the right choice for you.

Cialis is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. Your healthcare provider will typically start you on a dose of 10mg and adjust as needed, though this can change depending on factors like your other medical problems or dosages that have worked for you in the past. The maximum daily dose of Cialis is 20 mg when taken as needed. Taking more than that at any given time or combining Cialis without the guidance or approval of a healthcare provider is not recommended and will likely increase the risk for side effects.

As a treatment for ED, you can usually take tadalafil one of two ways :

• As needed: dose taken as directed, at least 30 minutes before sexual activity

• Every day: a lower dose taken at the same time each day without regard to when you have sex so that a low level of the medication remains in your system

Some people prefer to take Cialis only when they plan to have sex. Alternatively, you can ask your healthcare provider about a daily option to keep your plans a little bit more spontaneous. 

Side effects and potential risks of Cialis

Most people are able to tolerate Cialis with little to no side effects. When side effects do occur, however, they’re usually mild. Mild side effects of Cialis can include: 

• Flushing and sweating

• Headaches

• Nausea, indigestion, or diarrhea

• Runny nose or congestion

• Muscle aches

• Back pain

More serious side effects of Cialis can include: 

• Low blood pressure 

• Priapism (an erection that lasts more than four hours) 

• Hearing loss 

• Vision changes 

Although uncommon, some side effects of Cialis can be serious. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical care.

Premature ejaculation (PE) is when you climax too quickly for satisfying sex for yourself or your partner(s). Of course, penetration is not required to please a partner, but there are many reasons you might want to maintain an erection for longer than you currently do.

Small studies have shown that Cialis could help with premature ejaculation, even though the medication is not FDA-approved for this purpose. One study of 60 participants found that a daily dose of 5 mg of tadalafil significantly prolonged the length of time it took participants to ejaculate after a three-month period of time taking the medication daily.

If Cialis isn’t working as you hoped it would, review these troubleshooting tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your meds. 

Make sure you’re timing it right. If you’re taking Cialis as-needed, take it at least 30 minutes before sex. If you’re taking tadalafil once daily, try to take it at the same time every day and avoid missing doses. Setting a reminder on your phone to time it properly can help. 

Find new ways to get aroused. While drugs like Cialis are pretty effective, they aren’t magic and they won’t give you out-of-the-blue boners. You need to get aroused for them to work. Arousal has both physical and mental components, so you can try some new sensations (light touching, tickling, etc.), role play, or erotic movies to get in the mood. Anxiety can be a real mood killer, so taking the time to get to know your partner and feel comfortable in your relationship may be the best aphrodisiac of all. 

If you think the timing and arousal aren’t issues, and Cialis still isn’t working for you, talk to your healthcare provider about alternative options. For example, Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies contain the same active ingredient as Cialis (tadalafil) packed into the convenience of a fruity gummy. Since gummies can be more enticing to take daily, some patients may find that they work better and provide stronger erections than traditional Cialis (tadalafil)  

If you struggle with erectile dysfunction, you have options. Talk to your healthcare provider about Cialis and other erectile dysfunction treatments. Spontaneous, satisfying sex is within reach.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

May 14, 2024

Written by

Cale Li, MD

Fact checked by

Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.