8 Essential Things to Know About Generic Cialis
Key takeaways:
Cialis (tadalafil) is an oral, prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It also manages symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
Cialis and its generics have two possible dosing options. You can take the medication as needed before sex or consistently every day.
Cialis is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Cialis (tadalafil) is a popular prescription medication. It’s used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and an enlarged prostate. What’s more, Cialis generics have been available for several years, helping make this men’s health treatment more affordable.
Cialis is often compared to Viagra (sildenafil) since both are popular treatments for ED. But they come with different dosages and recommendations. They also have slightly different side effects.
If you have a new prescription for a Cialis generic, here are eight of the top things to keep in mind.
1. There are many manufacturers
Eli Lilly is the manufacturer of brand-name Cialis. But since Cialis went generic in 2018, many manufacturers have released their own generic versions. These Cialis generic companies currently include:
Accord Healthcare
Ajanta Pharma
Alembic Pharmaceuticals
Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Aurobindo Pharma
Cipla
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Hetero Labs
Lupin
Macleods Pharmaceuticals
Prinston Pharmaceuticals
Qilu Pharmaceutical
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
Sunshine Lake Pharma
Teva Pharmaceuticals
Torrent Pharmaceuticals
Umedica Laboratories
Unichem Laboratories
VKT Pharma
Zydus Pharmaceuticals
Good to know: The physical appearance of generic Cialis pills can vary among brands. You may notice this when you pick up your medication from the pharmacy. However, they contain the same active ingredient and work the same way. Reach out to your pharmacist with any questions about Cialis generic manufacturers.
2. There are ways to save on Cialis
There are ways to save on Cialis, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx: GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Cialis's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $18.90 for 30 tablets with a free GoodRx discount. Brand-name Cialis may cost as little as $292.62, by comparison.
Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Cialis' patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.
3. You can take Cialis for ED in two ways
If you’re new to taking Cialis for ED, you may be looking for tips on how to maximize your treatment. Dosages are one important part of this.
Cialis and its generic equivalents are available as 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. You can either take it “as needed” or once every day.
Taking Cialis as needed is the more common method. This is when you take a dose before you engage in sexual activity. A common Cialis dosage for ED is 10 mg by mouth 30 minutes before you plan to have sex. But medications work differently in everyone’s body, so your dose may be as low as 5 mg or as high as 20 mg.
However, taking Cialis every day allows you to have sex more spontaneously. The starting dosage is usually 2.5 mg by mouth once daily at around the same time each day. The dose can be raised to 5 mg once daily if needed.
Your prescriber and pharmacist can help you decide what dose and dosing schedule is best for you.
Good to know: Cialis interacts with several medications. This may impact your recommended Cialis dosage — especially if you’re taking a medication that could cause Cialis to stay in your body longer. One example is with the antifungal ketoconazole. For the “as needed” option, you shouldn’t take more than 10 mg of Cialis every 72 hours (3 days) if you’re also taking ketoconazole. If you’re taking Cialis daily along with ketoconazole, your prescriber will likely recommend sticking with a lower, 2.5 mg dose once daily.
4. Tadalafil is no different from brand-name Cialis
People regularly ask how well generic medications work compared to their brand-name counterparts.
In short, you shouldn’t expect any differences — other than a lower price tag.
Cialis tips and tricks: From how it works to possible side effects, pharmacists provide expert advice on maximizing your Cialis (tadalafil) prescription.
Cialis 101: Check out these answers to the most frequently asked questions about Cialis.
Avoiding interactions: Cialis interacts with certain medications, supplements, and foods. Learn from pharmacists about which interactions to be cautious of.
It’s important to remember that all medications go through a rigorous research and approval process before they hit the market. On top of that, the FDA has strict guidelines that make sure generic medications contain the same active ingredients and are just as effective and safe as their brand-name equivalents.
The biggest difference between brand-name Cialis and generic tadalafil is often the shape of the tablets. Cialis comes as a yellow, oval-shaped tablet. Tadalafil is also usually yellow, but it can be either oval- or circle-shaped depending on the manufacturer.
5. A different version of tadalafil also exists
Like Cialis, Adcirca is another brand-name version of tadalafil. Alyq is the generic version of Adcirca. Adcirca and Alyq are both prescription medications that treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a type of high blood pressure in the arteries of the heart and lungs. Adcirca and Alyq come as 20 mg oral tablets.
Tadalafil also comes as an oral liquid under the brand-name Tadliq. This option comes in handy if you have difficulty swallowing pills. Tadliq is available as a 20 mg per 5 mL oral suspension.
6. Beware of counterfeit Cialis
Cialis is an in-demand medication, and at times has been the subject of counterfeit schemes and unauthorized compounding. In fact, Cialis counterfeits that contain unconfirmed ingredients have been reported in the past. Taking counterfeit medications can be dangerous.
You’re more likely to encounter a Cialis counterfeit while shopping online. If you buy your medications on the web, it’s important to do your research first. Here are some signs that an online pharmacy is safe:
A prescription from a healthcare professional is always required
A U.S. address and phone number are listed on website
A licensed pharmacist is available for questions
The pharmacy is licensed with a state board of pharmacy
The online pharmacy is certified with a VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accreditation
Online providers like GoodRx Care that work with board-certified healthcare professionals can also be good options. Just be sure to reach out to your regular prescriber if you’re considering this route so they can stay on top of all of the medications you’re taking.
7. Tadalafil does have side effects
Cialis and tadalafil are effective ED treatment options. But there are some side effects you should be aware of before starting the medication, such as:
Headache
Upset stomach
Back pain
Congestion
Flushing (redness in the face)
Muscle pain
Leg and arm pain
Diarrhea
According to a review of 16 studies comparing Cialis and Viagra, back and muscle pain were more common with Cialis. But flushing was more common with Viagra.
Cialis can also cause some rare but serious side effects. An erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism) is one example. There have also been reports of vision and hearing loss. If you experience any of these side effects, it’s important to seek medical care right away.
8. Cialis can treat more than erectile dysfunction
In addition to ED, Cialis and tadalafil are also approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a common health problem that affects the prostate as men get older. Cialis and tadalafil treat BPH by relaxing the muscle cells in the prostate so urine can flow more freely out of the bladder.
The recommended dose of Cialis for BPH is 5 mg once daily. This is also the recommended dose if you have both ED and BPH.
Frequently asked questions
No, Cialis is a prescription-only medication. If you encounter any supplements claiming to contain tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, you should avoid taking them. These products aren’t regulated by the FDA and could be counterfeit.
Cialis and Viagra are similarly effective ED medications. While it’s hard to definitively say if one is stronger than the other, Cialis may have the edge. Most people take a higher Viagra dosage to achieve similar effects for ED. Cialis also lasts longer in the body than Viagra.
If you’re taking Cialis as needed, aim to take it at least 30 minutes before sex. However, if you’re taking Cialis on a daily basis, the time of day you take it is based on your personal preference. Morning, afternoon, or night — it’s up to you. The key is being consistent to maximize its benefits.
The bottom line
Brand-name and generic Cialis (tadalafil) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) and an enlarged prostate. You can take Cialis for ED as needed before sex or on a daily basis. Headache, congestion, and muscle pain are a few examples of common Cialis side effects. If you have an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, seek medical care right away. And to avoid counterfeit Cialis, make sure to only purchase it with a prescription from a trusted pharmacy.
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References
Alembic Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Tadalafil- tadalafil tablet, coated [package insert].
AvKare. (2024). Alyq- tadalafil tablet, film coated [package insert].
CMP Pharma. (2022). CMP Pharma, Inc announces that Tadliq, the first and only FDA-approved liquid suspension of tadalafil, is now available.
CMP Pharma. (2023). Tadliq- tadalafil suspension [package insert].
DailyMed. (n.d.). Search results for: Tadalafil.
Doggrell, S. A. (2005). Comparison of clinical trials with sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil in erectile dysfunction. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy.
Gong, B., et al. (2017). Direct comparison of tadalafil with sildenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Urology and Nephrology.
Matuszewski, K., et al. (2018). Variation in generic drug manufacturers’ product characteristics. P & T.
The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies. (n.d.). Counterfeit medication.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015). Counterfeit versions of Cialis tablets identified entering the United States.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Generic drug facts.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). How to buy medicines safely from an online pharmacy.
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