Cialis dosage: clear, practical advice

Confused about how much Cialis (tadalafil) to take and when? You're not alone. This short guide explains common doses, daily vs as-needed use, timing tips, and safety checks so you can talk to your doctor prepared.

How much to take — daily vs as-needed

Cialis comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. There are two common ways to use it:

- Daily low dose: 2.5–5 mg once every day. Good if you want the option for sexual activity any day without planning. Doctors often choose 5 mg for men with both erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

- As-needed dose: Start with 10 mg taken before sexual activity, usually at least 30 minutes prior. If it works well, your doctor may keep you at 10 mg; if not, they may increase to 20 mg. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

For men over 65 or those with certain health issues, doctors often start at a lower dose and adjust. If you have kidney or liver problems, dose changes might be needed — check with your prescriber.

Safety tips, timing, and interactions

You can take Cialis with or without food. Heavy drinking and large meals can blunt results and raise the risk of dizziness. Avoid combining Cialis with nitrates (for chest pain) — that mix can crash your blood pressure and is unsafe. Also be careful with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (like some HIV or antifungal drugs); they can raise tadalafil levels and may require a lower dose or wider spacing between doses. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use.

Common side effects are headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, back pain, and muscle aches. Most are mild and go away. Serious but rare problems include sudden vision or hearing loss and priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours). Seek emergency care for those.

Timing matters: for as-needed use, take it about 30 minutes before activity, but tadalafil can remain active for up to 36 hours for some men. That longer window is why many prefer it to other ED drugs. If you take the daily low dose, you don’t need to plan around a 36-hour window — levels stay steady with everyday use.

If you’re unsure which approach fits your lifestyle or health, ask your doctor. Mention heart disease, blood pressure meds, kidney or liver problems, and other prescriptions. If a pharmacy or online seller pressures you to pick a dose without a prescription or medical check, pause — get medical advice first.

Small changes in dose can make a big difference in side effects and safety. Use this as a starting point for a short, practical conversation with your clinician so you end up with the safest, most effective plan for you.