Tadalafil 5mg film-coated tablets box with two blister strips of white tablets

Tadalafil

How it works

Blocks PDE5 to increase blood flow — stays active up to 36 hours

Effect

81% success rate. Available as-needed or daily for complete spontaneity

From

£11.99

for 4 tablets

This treatment option is subject to a consultation followed by clinical review.

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What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis — often called “the weekend pill” because a single dose can last up to 36 hours. This gives you a much longer window of opportunity compared to Sildenafil (Viagra), which lasts 4-6 hours.

Since Eli Lilly’s patent expired in 2017, generic Tadalafil has become available at a fraction of the branded Cialis price. It contains exactly the same active ingredient and works identically — the only difference is the cost.

Tadalafil is also available as a daily low-dose option (5mg), providing round-the-clock readiness without needing to plan ahead. This makes it ideal for men who want complete spontaneity in their sex life.

How effective is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is one of the most widely prescribed ED treatments worldwide, with an 81% success rate in clinical trials. Its key advantage over Sildenafil is its much longer duration of action:

  • A single as-needed dose (10mg or 20mg) lasts up to 36 hours — roughly 6-9 times longer than Sildenafil’s 4-6 hour window.
  • The daily 5mg option provides round-the-clock readiness — no planning required. It also has fewer side effects due to the lower dose.
  • Unlike Sildenafil, Tadalafil is not affected by food — take it with or without meals, no timing restrictions.

Many men try both Sildenafil and Tadalafil to see which they prefer. There’s no “better” option — just what works best for your lifestyle.

Slim man and a heavier man standing back to back, showing different body shapes

How does Tadalafil work?

Tadalafil works the same way as Sildenafil — it’s a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow when you’re aroused. The key difference is how long it stays active in your system.

Here’s what that means for you:

01

Blocks PDE5 enzyme: Like Sildenafil, Tadalafil blocks the enzyme that normally breaks down the chemicals responsible for erections, allowing them to work more effectively when you’re sexually aroused.

02

Stays active up to 36 hours: Tadalafil has a half-life of 17.5 hours compared to 4 hours for Sildenafil. This means a single as-needed dose gives you up to 36 hours of readiness — earning it the nickname “the weekend pill”.

03

Not affected by food: Unlike Sildenafil, which is delayed by fatty meals, Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. No need to time your medication around meals or avoid eating before sex.

04

Daily option available: Tadalafil 5mg can be taken daily for round-the-clock readiness — no planning required. After a few days, you’ll have a continuous level in your system, ready for sex anytime. It also has fewer side effects than as-needed higher doses.

05

Treats ED and BPH: Daily Tadalafil 5mg is also licensed to treat urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — problems like frequent urination and weak stream. If you have both conditions, one tablet treats both.

Smiling woman with curly hair in a turquoise vest top exercising outdoors in the sunshine
Smiling woman with curly hair in a turquoise vest top exercising outdoors in the sunshine

Who is eligible for Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is a prescription treatment for men experiencing erectile dysfunction. It’s especially well-suited if you want longer-lasting effects or a daily option for complete spontaneity.

Here’s what’s involved:

  • Eligibility: You must be a man aged 18 or over experiencing difficulty getting or maintaining erections.
  • Two options: Choose between as-needed (10mg/20mg) for occasional use, or daily (5mg) for round-the-clock readiness. Your clinician will help you decide.
  • Best for spontaneity: Ideal if you don’t want to plan around medication timing, or if Sildenafil’s 4-6 hour window feels too restrictive.
  • Assessment process: You’ll complete a quick, confidential online questionnaire about your health and symptoms.
  • Clinical review: A Trimu clinician will review your answers and recommend whether as-needed or daily Tadalafil is most appropriate for you.

Who shouldn’t use Tadalafil?

Tadalafil isn’t suitable for everyone. It should not be used if you:

  • Take nitrate medications (e.g., GTN spray, isosorbide) or amyl nitrite (“poppers”) — this combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
  • Take riociguat or alpha-blockers.
  • Have severe heart or liver problems.
  • Have had a recent stroke or heart attack.
  • Have very low blood pressure.
  • Have certain eye conditions (NAION).
  • Are allergic to tadalafil or any of its ingredients.

Instructions

How to take Tadalafil

Tadalafil is simpler than Sildenafil — no need to worry about food timing. For as-needed use, take a tablet at least 30 minutes before sexual activity and enjoy up to 36 hours of readiness. For daily use, take 5mg at the same time each day — after a few days you’ll be ready anytime. A couple of drinks are fine, though excessive alcohol can reduce effectiveness.

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1

As-needed: Take 30 mins before

  • Take your prescribed dose (10mg or 20mg) at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. Effects last up to 36 hours.
  • Take with or without food — unlike Sildenafil, fatty meals won’t delay how quickly Tadalafil works.
  • Do not take more than one as-needed dose per 36-hour period.

Step 2

Daily: Same time each day

  • Take one 5mg tablet every day at the same time, with or without food. After 4-5 days, you’ll have a continuous level in your system.
  • During the first 4-5 days while levels build up, you can take an as-needed dose if required — just don’t exceed one as-needed dose per 72 hours.
  • Daily Tadalafil typically has fewer side effects than as-needed doses because the amount in your system at any given time is lower.

Step 3

During the active window

  • You won’t have an erection for 36 hours — you’ll just find it easier to get one when sexually aroused during that window.
  • A couple of drinks are fine — Tadalafil is more tolerant of alcohol than Sildenafil. But excessive drinking can still reduce effectiveness.
  • You still need sexual arousal for Tadalafil to work — it helps the natural process, it doesn’t create desire or automatic erections.

Step 4

Important safety notes

  • NEVER combine Tadalafil with nitrate medications or “poppers” — this can cause a dangerous, potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.
  • Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden vision or hearing loss, or chest pain.
  • Do not combine daily and as-needed regimens at the same time. Store tablets at room temperature, away from moisture.

FAQs

Things you should know about Tadalafil

Yes, Tadalafil can remain active in your system for up to 36 hours. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll have an erection for 36 hours — it means you’ll find it easier to get an erection when sexually aroused during that window. For some men, the effects may be noticeable for even longer, while others may find peak effectiveness around 2-6 hours after taking it.

It depends on your lifestyle. Daily Tadalafil (5mg) is best if you have sex more than twice a week and want complete spontaneity. As-needed Tadalafil (10mg/20mg) is better if you have sex less frequently and prefer to only take medication when you know you’ll need it. Daily dosing may also have fewer side effects because the dose is lower. Many men start with as-needed and switch to daily if they want more spontaneity.

Back pain and muscle aches are more common with Tadalafil than other ED medications, affecting about 1 in 10 men. It’s thought to be related to PDE5 inhibition in muscles. The pain typically starts 12-24 hours after taking the medication and resolves within 48 hours. Staying hydrated and taking paracetamol can help. If it’s persistent or severe, try switching to daily low-dose (which has lower rates of this side effect) or try Sildenafil instead.

Yes. If you want to switch from as-needed to daily, simply start taking 5mg daily. If switching from daily to as-needed, stop the daily tablets and wait 4-5 days before taking an as-needed dose. Don’t combine both regimens at the same time (i.e., don’t take a 20mg on top of your daily 5mg).

Moderate alcohol consumption is generally fine with Tadalafil — more so than with Sildenafil, which is more affected by alcohol. However, excessive drinking can still reduce the medication’s effectiveness and worsen side effects like dizziness and low blood pressure. Keep it to 2-3 drinks maximum for best results.

Yes, Tadalafil has been proven safe for long-term daily use in clinical trials lasting several years. There’s no evidence of tolerance developing (needing higher doses over time) and many men take daily Tadalafil indefinitely. In fact, there’s some evidence that regular use may have protective cardiovascular benefits due to improved blood flow, though more research is needed.

Yes, daily Tadalafil 5mg is actually licensed to treat both ED and the urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — problems like frequent urination, weak stream, and difficulty starting. If you have both conditions, daily Tadalafil can treat them simultaneously with a single tablet.

Side effects are generally mild. Common effects (1 in 10) include headache, back pain, muscle aches, indigestion, facial flushing, and nasal congestion. Back pain and muscle aches are more common with Tadalafil than Sildenafil, typically occurring 12-24 hours after taking and resolving within 48 hours. Uncommon effects include dizziness, blurred vision, and palpitations. Rare but serious effects requiring immediate attention include priapism (erection lasting 4+ hours), sudden vision or hearing loss, chest pain, and fainting. Daily low-dose Tadalafil typically has fewer side effects than as-needed higher doses.

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Why you can trust Trimu

Regulated care from a registered UK pharmacy

Safe, discreet treatment — reviewed by qualified clinicians and dispensed by our own UK-registered pharmacy.

Registered UK pharmacy

Dispensed by a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy (premises 1037748).

Reviewed by registered clinicians

GMC-registered doctors and GPhC-registered pharmacists check every case before any treatment is approved.

Discreet, ongoing support

Free, discreet delivery and clinical support throughout your treatment.

Our mission

Trimu began with a simple belief: getting safe, effective treatment shouldn’t be expensive, complicated, or embarrassing. We pair UK-registered clinicians with our own regulated pharmacy to offer honest advice, fair prices, and genuinely discreet care — so you can get on with feeling better.