Key takeaways:
Cialis (tadalafil) is a popular medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s available in tablet strengths ranging from 2.5 mg to 20 mg.
Without insurance, brand-name Cialis can cost around $451.77 for thirty 5 mg tablets. However, the price you pay will vary depending on the dosage you need, pharmacy you visit, and other factors.
You can save money by filling a generic, using a GoodRx coupon, or ordering directly through GoodRx for ED.
Save on related medications
If you’ve ever looked into getting a medication for erectile dysfunction (ED), you’re likely well aware that treatment prices can vary. Cialis (tadalafil) is one of the most well-known brand-name medications for ED, but its cost is often part of the conversation.
One reason prices can differ is the availability of generics. Generic versions of Cialis first became available in 2018, and more have been introduced in the years since. This added competition has helped bring prices down.
Even so, what you’ll pay for Cialis can depend on factors such as discounts and the savings programs you use.
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How much does Cialis cost without insurance?
Without insurance, brand-name Cialis can cost around $451.77 for thirty 5 mg tablets.
For generic Cialis, the cost could be around $172.22 for the same dosage and quantity.
What factors affect the cost of Cialis?
Several factors affect the cost of Cialis, including:
Where you live: Medication prices often vary based on your location. According to GoodRx research, for example, residents in Denver and Atlanta typically pay less for prescription medications than those in New York and New Orleans.
Your pharmacy: Pharmacies negotiate their own contracts for medications, so what you pay could vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, even if they are just down the street from one another.
Your insurance: Insurance companies decide how much they will cover for prescription medication costs. In addition, you also may have to pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, depending on your plan type.
Dosage: A healthcare professional will determine how much Cialis you need and how often you should take it, which can affect the cost.
Cialis vs. generic tadalafil
Cialis and generic tadalafil are similarly safe and effective, and the FDA has a rigorous process for ensuring that generics perform just like their brand counterparts.
Both Cialis and tadalafil treat ED at the following doses:
2.5 mg
5 mg
10 mg
20 mg
At 5 mg, both versions are also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as difficulty urinating. They work by relaxing the muscle cells in the prostate, allowing urine to flow out of the bladder.
Side note: Some other medications also use tadalafil as their active ingredient. Adcirca is one example; this medication is only available at a 20 mg dose and is approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. Tadliq and Alyq also use tadalafil as their active ingredient.
Does insurance cover Cialis?
Some health insurance plans cover brand-name Cialis. But in many cases, you may need to complete a prior authorization first. Step therapy requirements are possible as well, but these are more rare.
If you have insurance, check your plan’s formulary (its list of covered medications) and summary of benefits and coverage to see if brand-name Cialis is covered and if there are any requirements you must meet first.
How different insurance plans cover Cialis
The following table shows the likelihood of coverage for Cialis, as well as requirements for prior authorization and step therapy, based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for brand-name Cialis 5 mg tablets | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
23.1% | 17% | 0.4% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 44.3% | 16.5% | 7.2% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 7.9% | 7.9% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 62.7% | 55.5% | 1.8% |
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for generic tadalafil 5 mg tablets | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
ACA plans | 90.8% | 58.3% | 3% |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 95.3% | 19.8% | 2% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 92.9% | 92.8% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 97.4% | 76.4% | 3.2% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 11, 2025 (See methodology below.)
If tadalafil isn’t covered by your insurance plan, you can ask your prescriber about submitting an appeal. The exact appeal process will depend on your insurance company, but it typically involves working with your prescriber to submit a letter explaining why the medication is medically necessary for you.
5 ways to save on Cialis
Here are five tips to help you maximize your savings on tadalafil.
1. Use GoodRx
If you don’t have insurance, your coverage is inadequate, or you’re just looking for ways to save money, using generics instead of brand-name medications might be an option for you. However, GoodRx can help you save even more — sometimes offering prices that are lower than insurance copays.
With a GoodRx coupon, you can pay as low as $10.80 for thirty 5 mg tablets of generic Cialis. For the brand-name medication, you can pay as little as $294.46 for the same quantity and dosage using a GoodRx coupon. You can use GoodRx to compare prices at different pharmacies and get the best price in your area.
Here’s how you can obtain a GoodRx coupon for generic Cialis:
Search for “tadalafil” on the GoodRx website or on the GoodRx mobile app.
Select the quantity and dose you need.
Click on “set your location” to find GoodRx coupons for pharmacies in your area.
Have your discount information sent to you via text or email, or print it. If you’re using the app, keep the discount ready on your phone’s screen, or save it to your digital wallet.
If you don’t have access to an in-person prescriber, you can also save with telehealth. You can get generic Cialis starting at $21 per month through GoodRx for ED.
2. Use a patient assistance program
Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs to help those in need receive prescription medications at no cost.
If you have a Cialis prescription, you can apply to the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program. If you qualify, you could receive brand-name Cialis for free for up to 12 months.
3. Ask a healthcare professional for a 90-tablet prescription
Filling a larger prescription can help you save on medications over time. This is similar to other bulk discounts. Ask a healthcare professional for a 90-tablet prescription instead of a 30-tablet prescription to compare the savings.
If you’re paying with insurance, getting a 90-tablet prescription would allow you to pay a copay once, instead of three times for three 30-tablet prescriptions. To change your prescription to a larger quantity, you may need to request a new prescription and/or get approval from your insurance company.
4. Use funds from your tax-advantaged health account
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you may be able to use those tax-free dollars to pay for a Cialis prescription. Cialis and other prescription medications meet the requirements for eligible expenses for HSAs and FSAs. FSA funds expire at a set deadline, so use those before you lose them. HSA funds carry over from year to year, so they can be used at any time.
Some employers also offer a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). This is money your employer sets aside to help you cover medical expenses that aren’t paid for by your insurance. Rollover rules vary, so check with your employer to see what’s allowed and whether you can use these funds to pay for Cialis.
5. Talk to a healthcare professional about other alternatives
Cialis isn’t the only ED medication. Viagra (sildenafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra (avanafil) are also available, and they belong to the same class of medications as Cialis (known as PDE-5 inhibitors).
They each have generics available, too. This means you might want to compare prices if you’re looking for an ED medication. And if you have insurance, try to research how your coverage differs across these drugs.
Talk to a healthcare professional and find out if Viagra, Cialis, or another ED medication might be best for you.
Frequently asked questions
No, Cialis requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. If you come across any medication or supplement claiming to contain tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) without a prescription, you should refrain from using it. These products could be unsafe or counterfeit.
Cialis tablets aren’t scored, so they’re not designed to be split. Doing so may lead to uneven doses. Some people are prescribed higher-dose tablets to split, but this should only be done if a healthcare professional says it’s appropriate. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before trying this as a way to save money.
No, Cialis requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. If you come across any medication or supplement claiming to contain tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) without a prescription, you should refrain from using it. These products could be unsafe or counterfeit.
Cialis tablets aren’t scored, so they’re not designed to be split. Doing so may lead to uneven doses. Some people are prescribed higher-dose tablets to split, but this should only be done if a healthcare professional says it’s appropriate. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist before trying this as a way to save money.
The bottom line
Cialis can cost hundreds of dollars out of pocket. You could end up paying around $451.77 for 30 tablets of brand-name Cialis 5 mg or $172.22 for the same dosage and quantity of generic Cialis. You can save money by using a GoodRx coupon and comparing prices across different pharmacies. It’s also a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about alternatives and find out if your insurance plan covers your medication.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of September 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
CMP Pharma. (2022). Tadliq- tadalafil suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.
Lilly Cares. (n.d.). Lilly Cares Foundation patient assistance program.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
Teva Pharmaceuticals. (2023). ALYQ- tadalafil tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
