What Are Cialis Tablets?
Cialis tablets are a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and they are a branded version of Tadalafil.
In general, more than 6 in 10 men say they have harder erections after taking it.
Check suitability before taking Cialis
Cialis is for adult men with ED. Do not use it with nitrates, recreational nitrites (poppers) or riociguat. It is unsuitable when sexual activity is inadvisable, after certain recent heart attacks or strokes, with some serious heart conditions, very low or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or previous vision loss due to NAION.
Tell your prescriber about heart, liver or kidney problems and every medicine you take, especially alpha-blockers and other blood-pressure medicines. Do not combine Cialis with another ED treatment. The prescribed dose depends on your health and other medicines.
How to order Cialis online
You can use our online prescription service to buy Cialis online in the UK. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. Any website that claims to sell Cialis tablets without a prescription is operating illegally and you could be purchasing counterfeit / fake tablets.
Upon completion of your order, our independent prescriber will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then receive a prescription and dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
How it works
Cialis contains the active ingredient Tadalafil which is a PDE-5 inhibitor. It works by blocking phosphodiesterase type-5 which helps to relax and widen the blood vessels to the penis. This allows an increase in blood flow to the penis, making it easier to maintain an erection when sexually aroused.
How to take Cialis
Cialis is usually taken approximately 30 minutes before sexual activity. It usually has a starting dose of 10mg, which can then be adjusted according to response. If you find 10mg aren't producing enough of an effect, the dose can be increased to 20mg.
Cialis usually takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour to work. Once taken it is effective up to 36 hours, much longer than Sildenafil. Do not take more than one dose of Cialis in 24 hours or more often than prescribed. Do not combine it with another ED medicine or switch treatments without advice from your prescriber. It is important to note your erection should not last 36 hours instead it allows you to get and maintain an erection in the 36 hour period.
Do not drink grapefruit juice with Cialis as it can interfere with the way the medicine works.
Cialis Alternatives
If you find Cialis is not working for you, there are other treatments available such as Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Levitra, Viagra or Spedra.
Tadalafil vs Cialis
Cialis is simply the brand name for Tadalafil, which was first made by Lily, since it is no longer under patent other drug companies can now manufacture Tadalafil tablets at a much lower price. Despite the name difference both tablets contain the exact same active ingredient, which is Tadalafil.
Cialis side effects
As with any medication you take, there is a possibility of side effects occurring. The most common side effects of Cialis include headaches, flushing, nasal complaints (stuffy or runny nose), nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. If you would like to see a full list of side effects please refer to the SPC below or look in the patient information leaflet.
Stop taking Cialis and get medical help immediately for an erection lasting more than four hours or a sudden loss or marked change in vision or hearing. Call 999 for chest pain or signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the lips, tongue or throat or difficulty breathing. Do not use nitrates for chest pain after taking Cialis; tell the emergency team which ED medicine you took and when.
Sources and further information
- eMC: Cialis 10mg film-coated tablets patient leaflet (checked 8 September 2026)
- NHS: chest pain (checked 8 September 2026)
- Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
