The Independent Pharmacy

What is Cialis And How Does It Work?

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm GPhC 2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Cialis is an over-the-counter erectile dysfunction treatment designed to help men achieve and sustain an erection. When taken as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, Cialis provides relief from impotence so you can enjoy a healthy sex life.

Cialis Tablets (10mg & 20mg)
Cialis Tablets (10mg & 20mg)
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Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that affects men of all ages, but especially those aged over 40. ED treatments like Cialis let men regain control of their sex lives without stress and anxiety.

Here we dive into how Cialis works, how effective it is for ED, and what other benefits Cialis has for men suffering from impotence.

What is Cialis?

Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is sold in either 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg or 20mg tablets. It is taken as required at least 30 minutes before sex to achieve and sustain an erection. The time it takes to take effect can vary from person to person.

Tadalafil 2.5mg & 5mg Once Daily Tablets
Tadalafil 2.5mg & 5mg Once Daily Tablets
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Once Cialis has been taken, it works for up to 36 hours. This means a man can achieve an erection again even after ejaculating.

For more details on the correct Cialis dosage for you, read our Cialis dosage guide.

What is Cialis used for?

Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men suffering from impotence and other erectile difficulties. It works by preventing the body from releasing a chemical that reduces erections naturally.

Cialis helps men achieve erections for up to 36 hours after taking it. Cialis will help a man to achieve a stronger erection during this period, even after ejaculating.

How does Cialis work?

When men get an erection, the blood vessels that increase blood flow to the penis enlarge. This increases blood flow to the penis.

When this happens, the blood vessels that push blood away from the penis get smaller. This makes blood gather in the penis, causing an erection.

When a man becomes sexually aroused, a naturally-occurring chemical known as nitric oxide is emitted into the penis. This helps the body produce cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a chemical that controls the blood vessels that affect blood flow to and from the penis.

During erections, a naturally-occurring chemical called PDE5 is released to eliminate cGMP. This causes the blood vessels to change back to their normal size, decreasing an erection.

Cialis works by preventing PDE5 from getting rid of cGMP. This, in turn, helps men to achieve and sustain an erection during sex.

How quickly does Cialis work?

Cialis usually takes effect within as little as 30 minutes of taking it, although this can vary from person to person. Once taken, Cialis works for up to 36 hours. This means, once an erection has subsided, you are able to achieve another one again within the 36-hour limit.

Cialis side effects

Cialis can cause a number of side effects. A full list of Cialis’ side effects is listed here, but the most common side effects include:

  • Headaches
  • Redness or hot flushing in the face
  • Back or muscle pain
  • Blocked nose
  • Indigestion or acid reflux

Can women use Cialis?

Cialis is an effective erectile dysfunction treatment for men. However, women should not take Cialis as a sexual aid. While studies are being conducted on the effects of Cialis on women, there is not enough data to suggest that Cialis has any effect on women.

Current research indicates that Cialis has little to no effect on women. Any reported benefits are anecdotal and do not have sufficient data to back them up.

Does Cialis help premature ejaculation?

While Cialis is not designed to help treat premature ejaculation, some men who suffer from the condition do benefit from taking Cialis. Cialis does not prevent ejaculation, although some men who suffer from both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation find it useful for both conditions.

What other ED treatments are available?

There are a number of other erectile dysfunction treatments available to men suffering from impotence or a similar disorder.

The most popular alternative to Cialis is Viagra. Each drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction, and each has its pros and cons. Read our Cialis vs Viagra comparison guide to find the right ED medication for you.

As well as Viagra, there are a number of other treatments available to you:

  • Levitra
  • Sildenafil
  • Spedra
  • Tadafil
  • Vitaros cream

If you are unsure whether ED tablets are right for you, or you want more information on ED and alternative treatments, read our erectile dysfunction guides.

Cialis and other medicines

Like all medicines, Cialis can interact with other medications. If you are considering using Cialis while taking any other medications, consult with your doctor first.

Here are a few of the medicines that Cialis is known to interact with:

  • Nitrates (angina medications)
  • Alpha-blockers (prostate or high blood pressure medication)
  • Oral antifungal medicines
  • Some HIV medicines
  • Antibiotics
  • Other ED medications
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) medicine
  • Epilepsy medication
  • Stomach acid medicine

These are just a few examples of the medicines that Cialis can interact with. Always speak with your doctor if you are taking another medication when taking Cialis for erectile dysfunction.

What are the benefits of using Cialis?

There are numerous benefits to taking Cialis as an erectile dysfunction treatment, beyond helping you achieve and maintain a strong erection.

  • Cialis lets the user enjoy a spontaneous sex life. Cialis works for up to 36 hours, letting a man enjoy sex as it happens, without having to stop to take a tablet.
  • Cialis also removes the anxiety many men feel before and during sex. The confidence provided by Cialis makes any apprehension disappear.
  • Cialis is also easy to use. One tablet is enough for the user to achieve and maintain an erection and enjoy a healthy sex life.

There are many benefits to using Cialis for erectile dysfunction, and it’s a popular ED treatment that many men use and benefit from. Read our customer reviews of Cialis to learn more about the benefits of Cialis.

How many years can you take Cialis for?

The exact time that a person can take Cialis for depends on the dosage and their personal situation.

If you are taking Cialis in the 2.5mg or 5mg doses (known as the Cialis Once Daily tablet), it is safe to take it every day on a regular basis. If you find the effects tend to wear off the more you take it, speak to your doctor.

It is not advised to take the 10mg or 20mg Cialis tablet on a regular basis. These should be taken as required by men who are sexually active less than three times per week.

Who is Cialis suitable for?

Cialis is suitable for any man who suffers from erectile dysfunction or struggles to maintain a strong erection. You should not take Cialis if you suffer from one or more of the following:

  • Heart problems, such as heart failure or angina
  • Haemophilia
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Leukemia or sickle cell anemia
  • Stomach ulcer
  • Retinitis pigmentosa
  • A physical deformity of the penis

If you suffer from any of the above, speak with your doctor before taking Cialis.

Summary

Cialis is an effective erectile dysfunction treatment that can improve your sex life by helping you achieve and maintain a healthy erection. If you think that Cialis is the right ED treatment for you, you can buy Cialis here. Speak to our online doctor today to find out if Cialis is the right erectile dysfunction treatment for you.

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Scott McDougall

Authored by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.