Tadalafil Reviews: What Users Really Think
Erectile dysfunction is an increasingly common condition suffered by men, with 41.5% of men in the UK self-reporting that they suffer from ED. However, ED and effective treatment options are not openly discussed enough.
ED has a variety of different underlying causes, and there are numerous effective prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) options available. Historically, Viagra, or “the little blue pill,” has dominated the market, but in recent years, Cialis has become an increasingly popular option.
Below, we look at Tadalafil, a cheaper, generic form of Cialis, how it is used to treat ED and what you should know about taking this medication, including Tadalafil reviews.
Tadalafil Overview: What is it and How Do You Use it?
What is Tadalafil?
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Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis. The patent for Cialis ended in 2017, allowing other companies to make a generic version of this brand-name drug.
Tadalafil provides the same benefits as Cialis and is used to treat erectile dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and benign prostate enlargement.
It is important to understand that Tadalafil does not:
- Increase libido (sexual desire)
- Cure erectile dysfunction
- Act as a male form of birth control
- Protect a partner from sexually transmitted diseases
Tadalafil comes as oral tablets and is only available for purchase with a prescription.
Active Ingredients
Tadalafil is the active ingredient of this medication and belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiester 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
How Tadalafil works
To get an erection, there needs to be a significant increase in blood flow into the blood vessels and other tissues of the penis. To keep an erection, blood flow out of the penis is restricted. Those suffering from ED may not be able to get enough blood into the penis to cause an erection.
Tadalafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, works by temporarily increasing the blood flow to the penis when sexually stimulated. PDE5 inhibitors restrict specific enzymes in the blood vessels, causing them to relax and allowing an increase in blood flow.
How Long Does Tadalafil Take to Work?
It generally takes Tadalafil 30 to 60 minutes to begin working. When sexually stimulated, the brain and nerves send a message to the blood vessels and tissues in the penis, increasing blood flow. Therefore, Tadalafil will only work when the user is sexually stimulated.
Tadalafil generally lasts in the body for up to 36 hours.
Dosage and Usage Recommendations
It is important to take Tadalafil exactly as prescribed by your GP or pharmacist.
Tadalafil is available as 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg oral tablets. When prescribed for erectile dysfunction, the typical dose is 10mg when needed and not more than one tablet of Tadalafil per day (24 hours).
The dose of Tadalafil can be increased or decreased by your GP or pharmacist, depending on how often you use it and how well it works. It is not recommended to take the 10mg or 20mg Tadalafil tablets every day, as they last in the bloodstream for more than 24 hours. Taking these tablets every day may lead to an overdose of Tadalafil.
Tadalafil is taken at least 30 minutes before sex. The tablet should be swallowed whole with some water or juice (not grapefruit juice).
How Does it Feel After Taking Tadalafil?
After taking Tadalafil, some people may experience mild side effects such as headache, indigestion, stuffy nose and other symptoms. Muscle aches or back pain may occur 12 to 24 hours after taking Tadalafil.
Are There Any Known Side Effects?
Tadalafil may cause side effects in some people, with the most common including:
- Diarrhoea
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting or nausea
- Cough
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Muscle aches
- Arm, leg, stomach or back pain
- Flushing or redness of the face
Talk to your pharmacist or GP if you experience persistent mild side effects that do not go away.
Severe side effects of Tadalafil are less common; however, some may experience:
- Chest pain
- Seizures
- Sudden loss of vision or hearing
- Prolonged or painful erections lasting longer than 4 hours
- Skin reactions such as rashes
If you experience any severe side effects or an allergic reaction to Tadalafil, stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical attention.
The full list of all the side effects of Tadalafil is on the leaflet found inside your medicine box or packet.
Interactions With Other Medications
Tell your GP or pharmacist about any other medications you are taking, including supplements, herbal remedies or vitamins. Some medications that interact negatively with Tadalafil include:
- Medicines called nitrates, which are often used for chest pain
- Blood pressure medications
- Alpha-blockers
- Riociguat for pulmonary hypertension
- Antiviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDs and hepatitis C
- Other treatments or medications for ED
- Some antibiotics, such as erythromycin or clarithromycin, and some antifungals
- Seizure medication
Cost
Cloud Pharmacy supplies the following dosages of Tadalafil:
Dosage | 4 Tablets | 8 Tablets | 16 Tablets | 28 Tablets | 32 Tablets | 56 Tablets | 84 Tablets |
2.5mg | N/A | N/A | N/A | £18.99 | N/A | £32.99 | £40.99 |
5mg | N/A | N/A | N/A | £24.99 | N/A | £42.99 | £63.99 |
10mg | £8.49 | £17.5 | £23.99 | N/A | £45.95 | N/A | N/A |
20mg | £8.99 | £17.50 | £23.99 | N/A | £45.95 | N/A | N/A |
Tadalafil Reviews
Tadalafil reviews are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5. Most users stated Tadalafil worked well for them and they experienced no side effects.
Tadalafil Reviews Summary
- Positives: Reviews highlighted the effectiveness of Tadalafil, with the main positives being how quickly it worked and that it was effective for up to 36 hours.
- Common themes: The majority of reviews are positive, with many users reporting that the medication worked well, with minimal side effects.
- Negatives: Some users experienced side effects after taking Tadalafil, such as headaches, flushing of the face immediately after taking it, and back and muscle aches. Those who experienced side effects said the headache and flushing passed quickly, while the back and muscle aches persisted for a day or two.
Branded vs. Generic: Which is Better?
Cialis (Brand-name) | Tadalafil (Generic) | |
Active ingredient | Tadalafil | Tadalafil |
Dosages | 10mg and 20mg | 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg |
Price | Starting from £38.99 | Starting from £8.49 |
Advantages | Widely used | More affordable than brand-name Cialis |
Disadvantages | Cost | It may have more serious uncommon side effects |
User review themes | The drug is effective and works well, but it is expensive. | The drug works as advertised and is good value. |
Tadalafil Generic Tablets vs. Cialis (Tadalafil) Tablets
Generic medications are required to be the same in effectiveness, dosage, safety, quality and strength as the brand-name drug. As such, the biggest difference between Cialis and Tadalafil is the branding. Tadalafil medications are not necessarily Cialis, while all Cialis pills are Tadalafil.
Dosage
The dosage of Cialis and Tadalafil will be the same according to the details on the packet.
Side effects
Both Cialis and Tadalafil have the same reported common side effects:
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flushing and redness of the face
- Indigestion
- Diarrhoea
The generic medication, Tadalafil, may have more serious side effects than Cialis, these can be viewed on the leaflet inside the medicine packaging.
Drug interactions
Cialis and Tadalafil medications both interact with the following:
- Other ED medications or treatments
- Medicines used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension
- Seizure medication
- Antiviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDs and hepatitis C
- Medications used to treat high blood pressure
- Antibiotics or antifungals
Price
As Cialis is a brand-name medication and Tadalafil is a generic, there is typically a big difference in prices. Generic medications are normally cheaper than brand-name medications as they do not have to repeat the costly clinical trials that are required during drug development.
The cost of Cialis is significantly higher than Tadalafil, with 4 (10mg) tablets setting you back £38.99, while Tadalafil starts at £8.49 for 4 (10mg) tablets.
What Alternatives to Tadalafil Are There?
Multiple effective erectile dysfunction medications are PDE5 inhibitors and work by temporarily promoting blood flow to the penis. These medications differ in dosage, how frequently you can take them, drug interactions, cost, side effects and how long they last in the body.
Tadalafil vs. Viagra
Both Viagra and Tadalafil are effective ED treatments that have positive user reviews. The main difference is how long these drugs last in the body. Viagra lasts up to 4-5 hours and should be taken 30-60 minutes before sexual intercourse. Tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours in the body and should be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual intercourse.
Tadalafil, being a generic, is cheaper than Viagra. Currently, Cloud Pharmacy sells Viagra at £6.25 per pill and Tadalafil at £2.75 per pill.
Tadalafil vs. Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Gels and Creams
Tadalafil is an oral tablet that requires a prescription before purchase. It takes 30-60 minutes to begin working and can last up to 36 hours in the body. It is available in 4 different dosages: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg.
Eroxon Stimgel is an over-the-counter ED treatment gel. It is clinically proven to take 10 minutes to begin working. The gel is applied to the glans (head) of the penis. Eroxon Stimgel lasts the duration of sexual intercourse. There are four single-use applications per box.
Other Options
Other effective ED medications available on the UK market include:
- Sildenafil tablets: Sildenafil is the generic version of the brand-name Viagra. It is a cheaper alternative to Viagra.
- Viagra Connect (50mg Tablets): This medication is available over-the-counter in the UK to those who are 18 and older.
- Eropid 50mg tablets (Sildenafil): Eropid contains the same dose of Sildenafil as Viagra Connect and is a more cost-effective version.
- Spedra (Avanafil) Tablets: Spedra contains Avanafil and works similarly to sildenafil. It comes in three different strengths: 50mg, 100mg and 200mg.
- Cialis Together Tablets: These Cialis 10mg tablets are available over-the-counter for those aged 18 and over. Cialis Together tablets contain 10mg of Tadalafil.
- Vardenafil Tablets: These tablets are the generic version of the brand-name Levitra and can last up to 4 hours in the body.
Recent Tadalafil Research and Relevant Reading Material
Here are some recent studies and findings about Tadalafil:
- This clinical trial determined if Tadalafil improves erectile function in individuals with mild-to-moderate ED caused by pelvic or perineal trauma.
- This randomised controlled trial assesses the safety and efficacy of taking Tadalafil 5mg once daily for a minimum of 6 months to treat ED.
To learn more about Tadalafil tablets, you can read the Tadalafil patient information leaflet.
Tadalafil Summary
Both the generic Tadalafil and brand-name Cialis have the same effectiveness, dosage, safety, strength and quality, with the biggest difference being the branding, packaging and side effects.
The best ED medication for you is what works for your individual needs and budget. You may also find that you can better tolerate some ED medications better than others.
A quick online consultation with a registered Cloud Pharmacy pharmacist can help you decide which ED treatment will work best for you. Once your ED treatment has been ordered, it will be delivered quickly and in discreet packaging to your door.
FAQs
Is Tadalafil Viagra?
No. Tadalafil is the generic medication of Cialis. Both contain the active ingredient Tadalafil. Meanwhile, Viagra contains the active ingredient Sildenafil and has a few other key differences.
Does Tadalafil Keep You Hard After Cumming?
Once you have ejaculated, your penis should return to normal. Tadalafil will give you the ability to get an erection over a 36-hour period. If your erection lasts more than 4 hours after ejaculating, seek emergency medical attention or immediately contact your GP. This is a sign of a severe adverse reaction or Tadalafil overdose.
Do You Need a Prescription to Buy Tadalafil?
Yes, you need a prescription to purchase Tadalafil in the UK. Following a short online consultation with one of our pharmacists, they will prescribe you the correct ED medication suited to your needs.