Can You Take Tadalafil Daily

Tadalafil is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Tadalafil is prescribed for erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). It can be administered either daily or as needed (PRN), depending on the reason for taking the medication. So, let's answer the question: Can you take tadalafil daily?

How often can you take tadalafil?

Depending on the reason that you are taking tadalafil, you may be able to take it either as needed or daily. If you are taking tadalafil as needed, it is generally not recommended to take it more than once a day. Tadalafil may last up to 36 hours, so your healthcare provider may recommend you take it less often in certain circumstances. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if you should take Cialis daily vs as needed.

Tadalafil (Cialis) daily vs as needed: comparison

As mentioned, tadalafil has both daily and as-needed dosing options.

Taking tadalafil	Daily	As needed
Indications	Erectile dysfunction Benign prostatic hypertrophy Pulmonary artery hypertension	Erectile dysfunction
Dose by strength	Erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hypertrophy 2.5mg 5mgPulmonary artery hypertension 20mg 40mg	10mg 20mg In certain medical situations, 5mg doses may be used as needed
Side effects	Headaches Nausea Flushing of the face Hot flashes Stomach ache or indigestion Nasal congestion Muscle aches Low blood pressure Prolonged erection	Headaches Nausea Flushing of the face Hot flashes Stomach ache or indigestion Nasal congestion Muscle aches Low blood pressure Prolonged erection
Pros	Allows for more spontaneity with intimacy Lower doses associated with less side effects Steadier levels in the blood Dual purpose for both benign prostatic hypertrophy and erectile dysfunction	Convenient for infrequent use Lasts 36 hours which allows for more flexibility Can be taken with or without food Doesn’t require taking a medication daily
Cons	Requires daily administration May have higher cost due to need to take medication daily	Higher doses increase risk of side effects Takes 30 minutes or more to work Requires preplanning Lasts 36 hours so side effects may linger

Should you take tadalafil daily? 7 questions to ask yourself before you decide

Deciding on daily or as needed use of a medication can be challenging. These questions may help you determine whether you should take a daily tadalafil dose or take it as needed. Your healthcare provider may also help you determine which option is best for you.

1. Why are you taking tadalafil?

Often, the reason you are taking tadalafil will help determine how frequently you should take it. If you are taking tadalafil for benign prostatic hypertrophy or pulmonary artery hypertension, then it is more common for healthcare providers to prescribe the medication for daily use. Do you have to take tadalafil daily? For these indications, the answer is most likely yes. If you are taking tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, and you are wondering, Do you have to take Cialis daily, the answer is maybe not.

2. How often do you have sex?

If you are using tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, then the frequency with which you have sex may help you decide whether or not to take tadalafil daily. If you have sex frequently, taking tadalafil daily may be something you are interested in. However, if you have sex infrequently, then as needed may be better. What happens if you take tadalafil every day? Over 3-5 days, the amount of medication in your system levels out and becomes steady. These levels allow for more spontaneity with intimacy and better control of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy or pulmonary artery hypertension.

3. Do you take other medications?

Some medications are not safe to take with tadalafil. The other medications you take may help you decide whether to take tadalafil daily, as needed, or not at all. Nitrates are commonly prescribed to treat heart conditions, such as angina and coronary artery disease. Both tadalafil and nitrates relax the blood vessels through vasodilation. When combined, these medications can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. This is the reason why it is not recommended to take tadalafil or other PDE5 inhibitors with nitrates. GC stimulators, used to treat pulmonary artery hypertension and heart failure, are also vasodilators and, for reasons similar to nitrates, shouldn't be used together. If you take other PDE inhibitors, you should not use tadalafil either daily or as needed. However, your healthcare provider may decide to switch your medication if they feel that tadalafil would be a better choice for you.

4. How important is being spontaneous?

Tadalafil is known as the weekend drug because it lasts around 36 hours in your system. However, it does take 30-60 minutes to take effect, which means that even though it allows some flexibility, as-needed dosing for tadalafil requires at least some pre-planning. Taking tadalafil daily, however, may allow you to be more spontaneous because it builds a steady state in your blood.

5. Are you having side effects from another medication?

There are several possible choices for treating erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or pulmonary artery hypertension. If you are experiencing side effects from another medication, your healthcare provider may recommend trying daily tadalafil. Daily tadalafil is usually prescribed in lower doses than the as-needed doses of the medication. Suppose you have experienced side effects from higher doses of as-needed tadalafil or another erectile dysfunction medication. In that case, you may choose to take tadalafil daily to decrease the risk of side effects.

6. How much alcohol do you drink?

Alcohol can serve as a vasodilator and increase the risk of side effects from tadalafil. Because tadalafil can last for up to 36 hours, alcohol use, even hours after taking tadalafil, can increase side effect risks. If you drink alcohol regularly, you may want to avoid taking tadalafil altogether.

7. What other health conditions do you have?

Tadalafil is generally safe to take daily, but some people may be at an increased risk of side effects. If you have a medical condition such as cardiovascular disease, liver disease, or kidney disease, you may be at an increased risk for side effects. These conditions may determine whether you choose to take tadalafil daily, as-needed, or not at all. Discuss any medical conditions you have with your healthcare provider, who can help guide you as to whether daily tadalafil is appropriate for you.

Is it safe to take tadalafil daily?

So, is tadalafil safe to take daily? In general, yes, tadalafil is safe to take daily. For erectile dysfunction, most people have the choice of taking it daily or as needed. People who are taking tadalafil for BPH or PAH usually take it daily. Whether it is safe to take daily may depend on the reason and dose. If you're wondering, can I take 10mg of tadalafil daily? This is not the usual dosing for this diagnosis. Ultimately, your healthcare provider can help you answer the question, "How often should you take tadalafil?" On the other hand, if you are wondering, can I take 20mg of tadalafil daily? The answer may be yes if you have pulmonary artery hypertension. Your healthcare provider is the best resource for determining how best to take the medication.

Can you take tadalafil daily? Key takeaways

• Tadalafil is used for erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and pulmonary artery hypertension
• People who want more spontaneity in their intimate life may wish to take tadalafil daily rather than waiting 30-60 minutes after taking it to have sex
• Daily tadalafil may be used in people who have side effects from other erectile dysfunction medications or who have side effects from as-needed tadalafil
• You should avoid alcohol when taking tadalafil because it has a long half-life and can interact even hours later
• Tadalafil can interact with other medications and health conditions. These interactions can impact whether you choose to take tadalafil daily or as needed

FAQs related to taking tadalafil daily

 

How much tadalafil can you take daily?

The daily dose of tadalafil is generally 2.5 or 5mg daily for benign prostatic hypertrophy and erectile dysfunction, and 20-40mg daily for pulmonary artery hypertension. Determining the correct dose of tadalafil to take daily depends on several factors, including the reason for taking it, your other health conditions, and your response to the medication. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the appropriate daily dosage of tadalafil.

What is the best time to take tadalafil daily?

The best time to take tadalafil daily is at a time that you will remember to take it consistently. For the as-needed form of tadalafil, you should take the medication at least 30-60 minutes before you plan to be sexually active and up to 36 hours before. Tadalafil can be taken with or without food, meaning it doesn't have to be taken at a specific time every day. It can take up to 3-5 days for daily tadalafil to build up in your system, so it's not necessarily a concern if you don't notice changes immediately.

What happens if you take tadalafil without needing it?

Taking any medication that you don't need increases your risk of side effects. For tadalafil, taking the medication if you don't need it can increase your risk of side effects such as:

• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Stomach problems
• Vision changes
• A prolonged erection (priapism)
• Low blood pressure
• Nasal congestion
• Flushing
• Back pain

Healthcare providers typically won't prescribe a medication unless it's needed, so if you are taking tadalafil unnecessarily, you may be at an increased risk of getting a medication that is counterfeit or contaminated. You should only take tadalafil, or any other prescription medication, under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Can you skip a day of tadalafil daily?

In general, you should not skip a dose of any medication unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. How safe it is to miss a dose of tadalafil depends on what you are taking it for. Missing a daily dose of tadalafil prescribed for pulmonary artery hypertension may have more health ramifications than missing a dose for BPH or erectile dysfunction.

What to do if you missed a day of tadalafil?

Generally speaking, if you miss a dose of tadalafil, simply skip it and take the next dose at your normally scheduled time. Suppose you are taking tadalafil for pulmonary artery hypertension. In that case, your healthcare provider may recommend taking the medication as soon as you remember, provided it has not been too long since your last dose. If you are taking tadalafil daily, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what to do if you miss a dose. You should not take an extra dose of medication unless you have been specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

When is 60mg of tadalafil prescribed?

The maximum approved dose of tadalafil is 40mg. This is usually used as needed for erectile dysfunction, but may also be used daily for people who have pulmonary artery hypertension. 60mg tadalafil is not an approved dose and may increase the risk of severe side effects. The only time you should take tadalafil 60mg is if a healthcare provider specifically prescribes it.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603743/

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.108.839274

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109703012932

https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/2/4/517/6863149