Which generic Cialis is best? What to know about tadalafil

Is there a generic Cialis? And which generic Cialis is best? The search for reliable answers can feel a little overwhelming.

Generic Cialis is tadalafil. If you’re using prescription tadalafil from a legitimate source, you’re not choosing between “good” and “bad” versions of the medication. You’re getting a generic medication that’s approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work the same as the brand, even if it looks different or costs less.

This guide breaks down what tadalafil is, how it compares to brand-name Cialis, what factors actually affect your results, and how to make a safe choice that’s right for you.

There isn’t one “best” generic Cialis. Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis, and all FDA-approved generics are tested to ensure they work the same as the brand.

Brand-name Cialis is made by Eli Lilly and is always a yellow, almond-shaped tablet, while tadalafil is produced by multiple generic manufacturers, such as Teva, Aurobindo, Cipla, and Watson Laboratories. (See the FDA Orange Book for a full list.)  

When you fill a prescription for tadalafil, you generally don’t get to choose the generic manufacturer. Pharmacies dispense whichever FDA-approved generic they have in stock, which can change from refill to refill. 

All FDA-approved generics meet the same standards, even if they are made outside the US. So while the pill may differ in shape or color, it contains the same active ingredient as the brand. And there’s no evidence that one generic Cialis is “best” or works better than another.

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What is tadalafil used for?

Generic Cialis is tadalafil, a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). 

Tadalafil belongs to a group of medications called PDE5 inhibitors. A common question people ask is, “What is tadalafil generic for?” The medication can improve erectile function by supporting blood flow during sexual stimulation.

Tadalafil can also be used to treat an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), depending on your situation. 

What “best” really means for tadalafil

When people ask for the “best” generic Cialis, they’re usually trying to figure out what will work most reliably for them. In most cases, the manufacturer name on the bottle matters less than other details.

Here’s what can have a bigger impact on your results and overall experience:

• The dose you take

• How often you take it (daily vs. as needed)

• Your health conditions and medications

• Price and affordability

If you’re getting tadalafil through a licensed provider and pharmacy, you’re usually choosing between different pricing and not different drugs.

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in and generic version of Cialis. So, is it the same? Essentially, yes.

Another way of thinking of it is that tadalafil is Cialis’ generic name. “Generic” means:

• It contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug (Cialis).

• It works the same way as the brand-name drug (Cialis). 

Both tadalafil and Cialis help increase blood flow to the penis when you’re sexually aroused, making it easier to get and keep an erection.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves generic medications only after manufacturers show their product is equivalent to the brand-name version. This means it delivers the same active ingredient at the same strength and dosage form, and meets the same quality and manufacturing standards.

The most noticeable differences between Cialis and tadalafil usually come down to price, packaging, pill appearance, and inactive ingredients (sometimes called excipients). 

Inactive ingredients don’t have a therapeutic effect, but they’re typically added to improve things like stability, taste, appearance, and how the tablet breaks down so the medication can be absorbed. But the active ingredient — the part that drives the effect — is the same.

Some people prefer a brand-name medication because it feels familiar. Others choose generic tadalafil because it’s typically much more affordable.

Prescription tadalafil typically works the same way as Cialis because it contains the same active ingredient. If you try tadalafil and feel like it “isn’t working,” it’s often due to something other than brand name, such as:

• Taking a dose that’s too low

• Not giving it enough time to kick in

• Expecting an automatic erection

• Performance anxiety or stress

So, why do some people feel that one generic Cialis works better than another? As explained above, the FDA requires testing to show that generics perform very close to the brand. Specifically, they must fall within an 80%–125% range for how much of the drug reaches the bloodstream. In real life, those differences are usually too small to notice. 

Still, individual factors like body chemistry, timing, inactive ingredients, or expectations can make one version feel different for some people. 

If the medication isn’t giving you the results you want, it’s worth talking with a licensed healthcare provider. You should never stop or switch medications without professional guidance. Plus, a dose adjustment or a change in how you take a prescription can make a bigger difference than changing manufacturers.

Cost is one of the biggest reasons people go search for the best generic Cialis. And in most cases, generic tadalafil is the most affordable way to get the same benefits as Cialis.

Prices vary widely depending on:

• Dose (e.g. 5 mg vs. 20 mg)

• How many pills you buy at once

• The pharmacy you use

• Insurance coverage (if any)

• Coupons or additional discounts (if any) 

While the medications are available at pharmacies nationwide, Ro offers competitive pricing and the convenience of discreet home delivery.

This table shows estimated Ro pricing for a 30-tablet supply of branded and generic options:

Alternative daily options

Ro’s Daily Rise Gummies, which contain 7 mg of tadalafil and are meant to be taken every day, are priced to be more budget-friendly. 

The gummies are available as a monthly subscription of 30 gummies Each gummy is under $3 per day (or $89/month) if you’re buying for one month and under $2.50 per day (or $69/month) if you’re buying for three months.

Additionally, Ro also offers daily Cialis and daily tadalafil (if prescribed) at the following prices:

• Daily tadalafil (2.5 mg and 5 mg): $8/pill ($240 for 30)

• Daily Cialis (5 mg): $13/pill ($390 for 30) 

Is Cialis covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans cover ED meds, but coverage and limits vary. Plans are more likely to cover generic tadalafil than brand Cialis. 

Cialis isn’t covered by Medicare when it’s prescribed for ED. Coverage may be more likely when it’s prescribed for BPH, depending on your plan.

If you’re trying to use insurance, it can help to:

• Check your plan’s formulary

• Call your insurer and ask about ED vs. BPH coverage

• Ask your provider about coverage options when BPH is medically relevant

Ways to save on tadalafil or Cialis

If cost is a concern, here are the most reliable ways to lower what you pay:

• Choose generic tadalafil

• Compare pharmacies

• Use coupon sites (GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver, Optum Perks)

• Look into patient assistance programs 

• Consider telehealth providers (such a Ro) if you want transparent pricing and home delivery

Tadalafil (generic Cialis) is usually taken as a tablet, and it comes in several strengths. The dose you’re prescribed depends on factors like how often you plan to have sex, how well the medication works for you, side effects, and your overall health and other medications.

A licensed clinician uses that information to recommend the safest option.

Generic Cialis comes in:

• 2.5 mg and 5 mg (commonly prescribed for daily dosing)

• 10 mg and 20 mg (commonly prescribed for as-needed use)

Daily tadalafil (2.5 mg or 5 mg) is taken once a day, around the same time each day. This approach usually works for people who want more spontaneity rather than timing a pill before sex. Daily dosing also builds steady levels in the body over several days.

As-needed tadalafil (10 mg or sometimes 20 mg or 5 mg) is taken before sex. This option works for people who prefer not to take medication every day. It’s typically taken at least 30 minutes before sex, and can support erections for up to 36 hours. You generally shouldn’t take it more than once per day.

Your healthcare provider will likely suggest the lowest possible dose that’s effective for you, while paying attention to side effects. Dosage should be a discussion with your provider and not something you should handle on your own.

Daily low-dose tadalafil

Daily tadalafil is taken once a day at the same time. Many people choose daily dosing because it supports spontaneity and reduces the need to plan around sex.

Some people also find daily dosing comes with a lower risk of certain side effects, though that varies by person.

Alternative formulas

If you want an option that doesn’t feel like a traditional pill, Ro offers alternatives that use tadalafil in different formats:

• Daily Rise Gummies* contain 7 mg of tadalafil and are meant to be taken every day. They’re designed as a convenient daily option and can be appealing if you prefer gummies to pills.

• Ro Sparks* is a fast-dissolving tablet that combines sildenafil (55 mg) and tadalafil (22 mg). It can start to work in about 15 minutes and last up to 36 hours.

Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons of each option to find the one that fits your needs and preferences best.

*Though this particular formulation isn’t FDA-approved, its active ingredients are FDA-approved ED treatments.

Choosing the best generic Cialis for you comes down to what you want out of treatment and what your body can safely handle. Before your healthcare provider decides on a dose or schedule, it helps to think through your goals and your routine and answer these questions:

Do you want spontaneity or planning? If you want flexibility without timing medication before sex, daily tadalafil often makes sense. If you prefer taking medication only when you need it, as-needed tadalafil may be a better fit.

How often do you have sex? People who have sex more often (like several times a week) might prefer daily dosing. Those who have sex less frequently often prefer as-needed dosing, so they’re not taking medication every day.

How sensitive are you to side effects? Side effects can include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, facial flushing, nasal congestion, cough, and mild dizziness.

If side effects are an issue, your provider may recommend:

• Adjusting your dose

• Switching from as-needed to daily dosing

• Switching to a different ED medication

What other medications do you take? Cialis (tadalafil) can interact with nitrates (like nitroglycerin for chest pain) and cause a sudden, dangerous drop in blood pressure. Cialis also interacts with alpha-blockers (for blood pressure or prostate issues) and medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme (like ketoconazole or ritonavir). Grapefruit juice can have a similar effect on CYP3A4, so it may be worth limiting while you’re using the medication. Follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.

Some blood pressure medications, such as non-selective beta-blockers and certain diuretics, have been associated with ED, partially because they decrease blood flow to the penis.

Do you have health conditions that affect safety? Your provider may want extra caution if you have heart problems or a history of heart attack, low blood pressure, certain blood disorders, or kidney or liver issues.

Sexual activity can also add strain on the heart, so your health history matters in how ED medications are prescribed.

Because tadalafil is a prescription medication, it’s important to get it from safe, reliable sources. You can get tadalafil through a traditional healthcare provider and local pharmacy or an online provider like Ro.

Traditional pharmacy

A traditional pharmacy can work well if you already have a prescription and want to pick it up locally. Just keep in mind that prices can vary a lot between pharmacies.

Online providers like Ro

If you want a fully online process, Ro makes it straightforward and simplified:

1. Evaluation through a secure health questionnaire

2. Licensed provider review (often within 24 hours)

3. Prescription written, if appropriate

4. Medication ships to your door in discreet packaging, typically in 4–7 days

5. Follow-up messaging with a provider included

At Ro, all medications come from FDA-registered manufacturers, and every prescription is reviewed by a licensed pharmacist.

What to look for in any provider

Because ED medications are widely sold online, it’s worth being careful about where you buy them. Counterfeit sexual function drugs are a growing public health issue.

Counterfeit medications may contain no active ingredient, the wrong dose, or different drugs than what’s listed. These things can increase the risk of side effects and make it harder to know what you’re actually taking.

To protect yourself, look for a provider that:

• Requires a prescription after reviewing your health history

• Includes licensed clinician oversight, not just an online checkout

• Uses a state-licensed pharmacy and clearly explains where the medication comes from

• Gives you a way to ask questions about side effects, dosing, or drug interactions

It’s best to avoid websites that sell Cialis or tadalafil without a prescription. Tadalafil can interact with other medications and may not be a safe option for everyone, so a licensed healthcare provider should review your health history first. 

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If you’re trying to find out which generic Cialis is best, it helps to stop thinking in terms of brand names and start thinking in terms of the factors that actually affect your experience.

There’s no evidence to suggest that one generic Cialis works better than another. All FDA-approved tadalafil manufacturers are held to the same quality standard as the brand.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Generic tadalafil offers the same active ingredient at a much lower price. Brand-name Cialis can be more expensive out of pocket, especially for daily use. Generic tadalafil can make consistent treatment more affordable long-term, especially if you plan to use it regularly.

• Timing and dosing impact how well it works. As-needed dosing can start working in about 30 minutes and last up to 36 hours. Daily dosing takes about five days to build steady levels, so you don’t have to plan around a pill.

• Safety matters. Tadalafil can interact with nitrates and other medications, and it may not be safe for people with certain health conditions. A licensed provider can help you choose an option that fits your needs and budget.