How Long Does Tadalafil Take to Work?

Have you or someone you know been prescribed tadalafil? Tadalafil can be used to treat several health conditions. Learn more about how fast it normally starts working, typical onset times, and what influences that amount of time.

How long does it take for tadalafil to work?

Tadalafil, aka Cialis, is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. This class of medications is used to treat a number of health conditions, including erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and pulmonary artery hypertension. If you are taking this medication, especially if you are trying to decide on timing for sexual activity, you may be wondering, how long does tadalafil take to work? In general, tadalafil can start to work as soon as 16 minutes after taking it, but it usually starts to work closer to 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. The peak concentration in the bloodstream is usually reached at around 2 hours. Many factors can influence tadalafil's time to work. We'll discuss some of these factors in this article.

Tadalafil's time to work by dose

Dose	Average Time to Work	Considerations
2.5 mg	3-5 days to reach steady state taken daily	Usually dosed daily
5 mg	3-5 days to reach steady state taken daily 30-60 minutes taken as needed	Usually dosed daily but can be used as needed
10 mg	30-60 minutes	Dosed as needed
20 mg	30-60 minutes	Dosed as needed for erectile dysfunction and daily for pulmonary artery hypertension
40 mg	Peaks 2-8 hours after taking, but studies show that improvement is seen at 16 weeks	Indicated for pulmonary artery hypertension

7 factors that affect tadalafil's onset timing

Many factors can affect how long tadalafil takes to start working. These can be generally split into seven categories.

 

1. Metabolism

Every person has unique factors that determine how quickly they metabolize medications. Tadalafil is no exception. Tadalafil is processed by an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is part of a system called the cytochrome P450 system. This system breaks down and metabolizes many medications, not just tadalafil. The time to onset and duration of action of tadalafil can be influenced by how active this enzyme is in your body. If your individual metabolism is fast, generally meaning a more active CYP3A4 enzyme, medications such as tadalafil may be absorbed more quickly and reach your bloodstream faster. Alternatively, if your enzymes are less active, tadalafil may be absorbed more slowly and take longer to reach your bloodstream. This can affect the answer to the question how long does tadalafil take to work. This may also affect how long tadalafil lasts in your system.

 

2. Age

Age is one of many factors that can impact an individual's metabolism and how medications affect the body. How quickly tadalafil is absorbed is not directly impacted by age, but the metabolism of the medication is. One study comparing how tadalafil is metabolized in younger men versus elderly men showed that the half-life was 17.5 hours in younger men versus 21.6 hours in elderly men. Men over 65 may also clear tadalafil from their system more slowly than younger adults. So while tadalafil may be in the system of men over 65 for a longer period of time than their younger counterparts, it doesn't appear that age makes a significant difference in how quickly the medication takes effect.

 

3. Medical conditions

Many medical conditions may impact how quickly tadalafil works.

Cardiovascular disease

Can cardiovascular disease impact how long before tadalafil works? In short, yes. Cardiovascular disease can potentially impact tadalafil in several ways. People with cardiovascular disease are often on other medications, some of which may interact with tadalafil in potentially dangerous ways. However, cardiovascular disease can also impact medications, including tadalafil, directly. Heart failure can affect the absorption and metabolism of multiple medications, including tadalafil. This can occur for several reasons.

• Heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases can reduce blood flow to multiple body systems, including the stomach and intestines, which can affect how tadalafil and other medications are absorbed into the bloodstream.
• Heart failure can affect other organs such as the liver and kidneys, which can impact how tadalafil is metabolized and processed. This may interfere with the concentration of tadalafil in the blood.
• Heart failure can cause the body to retain water, and this can impact how dilute some medications become in the bloodstream and how much medication makes it to the tissues that the medication is targeting.

People with cardiovascular disease should talk to their healthcare provider before taking tadalafil to ensure that they are healthy enough to take the medication safely.

Diabetes

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing erectile dysfunction because of its effects on the blood vessels. It can also affect the severity of erectile dysfunction. However, diabetes does not appear to significantly affect the absorption of tadalafil in a clinically significant manner. The total amount of drug exposure may be slightly lower in people with diabetes, but not enough to change how the medication is dosed. While diabetes doesn't affect how quickly tadalafil works, it may affect how well the medication works.

Kidney disease

Kidney disease does not directly impact how quickly Cialis works, but it can impact how the medication works and how long it is in your system. Kidney disease can slow the medication leaving the bloodstream and can increase the half-life of the medication, as well as increasing the risk of side effects. People with moderate kidney disease may need the dose of medication adjusted. People with severe kidney disease or those on dialysis may not be able to take the medication at all. If you have kidney disease, consulting with your healthcare provider regarding doses and whether or how to take tadalafil is recommended.

Liver disease

Similar to other medical conditions, liver disease does not directly affect the absorption of tadalafil, and people with mild to moderate liver disease reach similar levels of tadalafil in their blood to those without. This means that liver disease does not usually affect how long Cialis takes to work. However, the breakdown of tadalafil occurs primarily in the liver through the CYP3A4 enzyme we discussed previously. So while liver disease may not directly affect tadalafil time to work, it may impact how long it lasts. In people with liver disease, the breakdown and clearance of tadalafil is slower than normal, leading to increased exposure to tadalafil and the potential for more side effects. People with mild to moderate liver disease may use tadalafil on the recommendation of their healthcare provider, but it is usually with caution and in lower doses. In people with more severe liver disease, tadalafil use is usually not recommended.

 

4. Medications

There are many medications that can affect how tadalafil works in the body and potentially how long for cialis to work. Most of the medications that affect tadalafil and how quickly it works are medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme system in the liver and intestines.

Nitrates

Nitrates are a medication commonly discussed when it comes to interactions with Cialis and other medications in the class (PDE5 inhibitors). Nitrates can potentially cause dangerous drops in blood pressure because they relax the blood vessels. Because tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors also relax the blood vessels, the blood pressure can go down quickly and reach dangerously low levels. The risk of interaction between tadalafil and nitrates can occur up to 48 hours after taking tadalafil, so using them together is not recommended. While there is the potential for significant interactions between nitrates and tadalafil, there is no data to suggest that nitrates directly impact how quickly tadalafil works.

Antacids

Some antacids, such as those that contain magnesium hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide, can affect how tadalafil is absorbed. These medications can delay how long it takes for Cialis to start working. These medications can make the onset of tadalafil less predictable, and it is generally recommended that the medications not be taken at the same time. Before you take an antiacid, know that it may affect how long for Cialis to start working.

Antibiotics

There are multiple antibiotics that either activate or inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme and can impact the metabolism of tadalafil. These medications often don't directly impact how long it takes tadalafil to start working, but they may impact how well the medication works. Rifampin is an antibiotic most commonly used to treat tuberculosis. Tadalafil increases the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme, which can increase how quickly tadalafil is metabolized and shorten its duration and effectiveness. Though this antibitiotic doesn't generally affect how long for cialis to kick in. Other antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clarithromycin, are CYP3A4 inhibitors and slow the metabolism of tadalafil. This may delay the time to peak concentration, but it doesn't directly change how quickly the medication works. Slowing the metabolism of tadalafil can increase how long it is in the bloodstream and impact side effects. Anytime you start a new medication, including antibiotics, it is important to make sure you've discussed all medications and supplements you are taking so that the healthcare provider can advise you if any adjustments to the medications, doses, or timing are necessary. This includes medications that may be taken as needed, such as tadalafil.

Antifungals

Antifungals are another class of medications that may interact with tadalafil. Like other classes of medications, they don't necessarily affect how quickly tadalafil works, but they may impact how effective it is and can potentially be dangerous to use in combination with tadalafil. Ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, and fluconazole are all strong inhibitors of the CYP3A4 enzyme. As such, these medications may cause significant interactions and carry warnings to avoid use with medications such as Cialis or tadalafil. This list of medications is not exhaustive, and it is important to discuss all of your medications with your healthcare provider to avoid potential interactions.

 

5. Psychological factors

Tadalafil does not cause an erection without sexual stimulation. There are several psychological factors that can interfere with how one responds to arousal and sexual stimulation. This can impact how quickly tadalafil works. Some of these psychological factors include:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Depression
• Low self-confidence

Additionally, some people may have unrealistic expectations as to how quickly tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors will work, which can lead to feeling anxious or disappointed if an erection doesn't occur as quickly as expected. If tadalafil is not working as expected, it may be psychological factors interfering with the medication.

 

6. Dose and Frequency

The dose of tadalafil used and the frequency it is taken can affect how quickly tadalafil works.

Daily Use

Tadalafil is prescribed daily in low doses for both erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hypertrophy. Higher doses may be used daily for a condition called pulmonary artery hypertension. The lower doses of tadalafil (2.5 mg and 5 mg) take around 3-5 days to reach a consistent level in the blood. Once the medication reaches these consistent levels (known as steady state), then the medication can generally help with erectile dysfunction. It is important to remember that tadalafil doesn't cause an erection by itself. Sexual arousal is required to achieve an erection. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious medical condition where the blood pressure in the blood vessels that go to the lungs is increased. Studies have shown tadalafil to be an effective option for treating this condition. These studies showed improvement in pulmonary artery blood pressures at around 16 weeks, and these improvements were sustained over time.

As needed use

Higher doses of tadalafil are used on an as-needed basis for erectile dysfunction. This means that the medication doesn't need to be taken every day, but rather can be used before anticipated sexual intimacy. When taken as needed, tadalafil may start to work as soon as 16 minutes. For most people, tadalafil may start to work around 30-60 minutes. Tadalafil reaches its highest levels in the bloodstream around 2 hours, though for some people this may take as long as 8 hours.

 

7. Lifestyle factors

Lifestyle factors may also play a role in how quickly tadalafil works.

Diet

Grapefruit has compounds that can significantly impact the CYP3A4 enzyme system, which, while it may not directly impact how quickly tadalafil works, can increase the amount of tadalafil in the bloodstream. This can increase the risk of side effects associated with tadalafil, such as:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Low blood pressure
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Runny nose

Because tadalafil can stay in your system for 36 hours or more, it is generally recommended that you not eat grapefruit while taking the medication. Meals that are high in fat can also impact how quickly tadalafil and other similar medications are absorbed. Some PDE5 inhibitor medications should not be taken with food because this interaction is more significant. However, tadalafil can be taken with or without food, and fatty foods and other meals do not impact the absorption of tadalafil as much as other medications in the class.

Alcohol

Alcohol does not play a significant role in how quickly tadalafil starts to work; however, it can impact how effective the medication is. Large amounts of alcohol can impact erectile function. Alcohol also dilates the blood vessels, which can increase the risk of side effects from tadalafil and can drop blood pressure. Alcohol also acts as a depressant, which is one more way that alcohol can affect how well tadalafil works.

Exercise

Regular physical exercise has many positive effects on the body. One of the potential benefits is improving cardiovascular health and blood flow. While exercise may not directly impact how quickly tadalafil takes effect, it can improve how well tadalafil works.

Smoking

Smoking, on the other hand, can cause significant damage to blood vessels and decrease blood flow. Reduced blood flow and damage to blood vessels may not directly impact how quickly Cialis works, but can decrease how effective it is in treating erectile dysfunction and other conditions.

How long does tadalafil take to work? Key takeaways

• For most people, tadalafil starts to work in 30-60 minutes, though some people may see effects as soon as 16 minutes.
• Tadalafil, "the weekend pill," may last up to 36 hours.
• Tadalafil requires sexual stimulation for erectile response and does not cause an erection by itself.
• Low-dose tadalafil, taken daily, takes 3-5 days to reach consistent levels in the body.
• Health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes can impact how tadalafil is metabolized, but do not necessarily directly impact how quickly it works.
• Medications, especially those that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme, can impact the absorption of tadalafil.
• Psychological factors can impact sexual arousal and affect the effectiveness of tadalafil.
• Lifestyle factors can also affect how tadalafil works.

FAQs

 

How long does it take for Cialis to work?

For most people, Cialis works in 30-60 minutes if taken on an as-needed basis. Some people may see effects as soon as 16 minutes. Taken daily, Cialis reaches steady state in 3-5 days. It generally becomes effective at this point.

Cialis 5mg daily: How long before it works?

Cialis 5mg, taken daily, will reach steady state in the bloodstream at 3-5 days and generally starts to work at this point. Some people may take this lower dose as needed and should start to see effects in 30-60 minutes.

Tadalafil 5mg daily: How long before it works?

Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis. Like Cialis, tadalafil 5 mg, taken daily, usually starts to work at 3-5 days when it reaches steady state. This medication is sometimes taken as needed at lower doses for people who can't take higher doses. For these people, the medication may work in 30-60 minutes.

When does tadalafil peak?

Tadalafil usually reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream in 2-6 hours. This can be impacted by many factors, including those that impact absorption.

When does Cialis peak?

Cialis, like its generic counterpart tadalafil, usually peaks in the bloodstream at 2-6 hours. Many factors can impact the absorption rate of Cialis, so this may vary based on your individual factors.

When to take Cialis for best results?

Cialis should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. For most people who take Cialis as needed for erectile dysfunction, the medication should be taken at least 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. Cialis can last up to 36 hours, so it can be taken longer before sexual activity if necessary.

Can you make tadalafil kick in faster?

Tadalafil may start to work as soon as 16 minutes in some people, but usually takes around 30-60 minutes to take effect. While tadalafil can be taken with or without food, it's possible that high-fat meals can impact the absorption of the medication, though this does not appear to be a significant effect. Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and stress management may improve the effectiveness of tadalafil.

Does tadalafil work faster or slower compared to other similar meds?

There are several medications that can be used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil usually starts to work in 30-60 minutes, which is about the same as sildenafil and vardenafil. However, sildenafil and vardenafil usually last around 4-6 hours, while tadalafil may last for up to 36 hours. Avanafil usually works faster than tadalafil. Avanafil may start to work as quickly as 15-30 minutes. Tadalafil, on the other hand, usually works in 30-60 minutes, but may take up to two hours to reach peak levels. Avanafil may last for around 6 hours, while tadalafil generally lasts up to 36 hours.

Does food slow down tadalafil's absorption?

Tadalafil can be taken with or without food because the absorption is not impacted by food as significantly as other PDE5 inhibitors. While food, especially fatty meals, may slow the absorption of tadalafil, the changes are not clinically significant.

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