Cialis Daily vs. As Needed: What’s the Difference?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) can happen to men of all ages, but it’s more common as you get older. For many people with ED, a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor can be an effective medication option for helping you achieve and maintain an erection. There are several options to choose from — each with their own unique characteristics.

Most PDE5 inhibitors are taken as needed before sex. But with Cialis (tadalafil), you have the option to take it either as needed before sex or every day. You and your healthcare provider may pick one way over the other for a few reasons. We explain the key differences below.

What is Cialis?

Cialis is a prescription medication used to treat ED and urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.

ADVERTISEMENT

ED treatment on your terms

Build a personalized treatment plan and get erectile meds delivered discreetly. Subscriptions start at just $18/mo.

Get started

GoodRx is NOT insurance. Cancel anytime. GoodRx Health information and resources are reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.

How does Cialis work?

Like all PDE5 inhibitors, Cialis works to increase blood flow to the penis. This blood flow makes it easier for you to achieve and maintain an erection for sex. But keep in mind that sexual stimulation is required for Cialis to work.

What is the difference between Cialis daily vs. as needed?

Cialis can be taken two different ways for ED. The first is to take a dose as needed before sex. The other way is to take a lower dose every day, even if you’re not planning to have sex. If you’re wondering which option is best for you, here are a few differences to consider.

Who can take it

You may be prescribed Cialis if you have ED, BPH, or both conditions simultaneously. If you’re treating ED, you may have the option to take Cialis as needed or daily. But if you’re treating BPH (with or without ED), you need to take it every day.

Promotion disclosure

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Avg retail price

$69.03(Save 82.96%)

GoodRx discount

$11.76

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Daily Cialis isn’t recommended if you have severe kidney disease or are on dialysis. In this case, you may still be able to take Cialis as needed, but not as often. You’ll usually need to wait 72 hours between doses since it takes longer for your body to clear Cialis. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions to follow.

Convenience

If you take Cialis as needed, it usually starts working within 30 minutes. Full effects may take up to 2 hours to see, but they can last up to 36 hours. Even though Cialis works for a long time, as-needed dosing may be less convenient for some people. That’s because it may not allow for spontaneous sex unless you take Cialis at the right time. But you don’t need to remember to take a pill every day.

If you take a lower Cialis dose daily, the medication continuously works in the background. That means you don’t need to time your dose around when you plan to have sex. This can be a convenient option for people who want the ability to have spontaneous sex.

Dosage

Your Cialis dosage depends on several factors. For example, the dosage is different depending on whether you take Cialis as needed or daily. It can also depend on your health history and current medications.

• As-needed Cialis dosage: 5 mg to 20 mg by mouth at least 30 minutes before you plan on having sex. You shouldn’t take more than one Cialis dose per day since its effects can last up to 36 hours. People with kidney problems may need to take it less frequently.

• Daily Cialis dosage: 2.5 mg to 5 mg by mouth once daily, taken at the same time each day. If you have ED and BPH, or just BPH, the recommended dosage is 5 mg daily.

Side effects

Cialis can cause temporary side effects, such as headache, flushing, and a stuffy nose. They’re usually more likely to happen with higher doses. Since the Cialis dosage for as-needed use is higher, you may be more likely to experience certain side effects with this option.

Are there long-term effects of taking Cialis daily?

Researchers have looked at the effects of taking Cialis daily for up to 2 years, and no severe or long-term safety concerns have been found. In other words, daily Cialis doesn’t seem to have additional safety risks compared to taking it as needed.

Does Cialis lose effectiveness over time?

During the same study mentioned above, most men taking Cialis reported positive experiences with improved erections and ability to engage in sex over the course of 2 years. And while we don’t have longer-term studies, there isn’t evidence to suggest that you build up tolerance to Cialis over time.

Keep in mind: Many underlying factors can cause or worsen ED. These factors can include medical conditions, mental health factors, and other medications you take. If Cialis doesn’t seem to be working as well, your healthcare provider can help figure out the cause.

How to decide

Still not sure which Cialis option best fits your lifestyle? Here are a few questions to consider  when discussing your options with your healthcare provider.

• Do you have other medical conditions? If you also have BPH, daily Cialis can be a good option for both ED and BPH. But if you have severe kidney disease, daily Cialis wouldn’t likely be an option for you.

• How often do you have sex? If you’re having sex several times a week, daily Cialis may fit your lifestyle better. For occasional sex, taking Cialis as needed may be a reasonable option.

• Are prescription costs adding up? A 30-day supply of daily Cialis may cost a little more than if you’re taking it as needed.

Talk to your healthcare provider to help determine which option is best for you. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t switch how you’re taking Cialis without their approval or guidance first.

How to save on Cialis

There are ways to save on Cialis, which is available as both a generic- and brand-name medication.

• Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Cialis’ price at certain pharmacies is as low as $18.90 for 30 tablets with a free GoodRx discount. An equivalent dose of the brand-name product may cost as little as $856.35 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with GoodRx Care Direct: Get generic Cialis delivered directly to your door starting at $21 per month.

• Save with a patient assistance program: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Cialis’ patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts