Authored: 13/03/2023

Tadalafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, helping to achieve and maintain an erection. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, and its effects can last up to 36 hours.
You can buy Tadalafil tablets for erectile dysfunction online from our UK-registered doctor and pharmacy service. This clinically proven treatment provides effective, long-lasting results, helping you take control of your health with ease.
Simply complete a quick online assessment, and our UK-registered doctors will review your suitability for treatment. If approved, your prescription is sent to our pharmacy team, who will dispense and securely deliver your medication to your chosen address-discreetly and hassle-free.
What is it? | Effective treatment for Erectile Dysfunction |
How does it work? | Tadalafil is part of the group of pde5 inhibitors, which work by improving and increasing the flow of blood into your penis. This results in a firmer and longer-lasting erection. |
How effective is it? | Over 80% of men will notice a firmer and longer-lasting erection. If Tadalafil doesn’t work for you the first time around, it could nevertheless be more effective next time. Doctors often advise trying all erectile dysfunction medicines eight times before giving up. |
What's the dose? | 10mg / 20mg: Take ONE tablet 30 minutes before sex. Never take more than ONE tablet within 36 hours 2.5mg / 5mg: You should take ONE tablet DAILY Although Tadalafil can be taken with food, this may slow down the time it takes for the drug to work. |
Side effects | Can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Tadalafil can also cause nasal congestion, headaches, facial flushing, slight vertigo, a pounding heartbeat, and blurred vision. |
Tadalafil is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It does this by improving blood flow to the penis when sexually stimulated. This allows men who suffer from ED to achieve firmer and longer-lasting erections.
It is available in 4 strengths, ranging from 2.5mg to 20mg. Tadalafil 20mg is the most commonly used dosage, and is also the strongest. It is taken as required (when needed for sex). The lower doses are taken daily to maintain levels of Tadalafil in your system, so you can be ready for sex at anytime.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in the well known erectile dysfunction drug Cialis. As of 2017, Cialis no longer has an exclusive patent on this drug, and this means that other companies are able to manufacture Tadalafil.
While medically the same, the competition means prices for generic medicines are cheaper than the original versions.
Tadalafil generic is also the version prescribed by the NHS for eligible patients.
Tadalafil, like other ED treatments such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Spedra), works by increasing the blood flow into your penis by relaxing the blood vessels which flow into them.
It achieves this effect by blocking an enzyme called PDE5. As a group, these drugs are called 'PDE5 inhibitors'. Because they have very little effect on other parts of the body, there are generally well tolerated and safe medications. As a result, some forms of these drugs have been made available over the counter in the UK, such as Viagra Connect.
With a number of ED drugs available, many men are unsure which medication is right for them. The main advantage of Tadalafil over Sildenafil, Viagra, Levitra, and Spedra, is the length of action.
What does this mean? Basically, the effects of Tadalafil can last for up to 72 hours after taking a dose. It should be noted, this does not mean that your erection will last this long! In fact, any erection which is painful or lasts more than 4 hours should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. The 72-hour effect simply means that you should be able to achieve an erection when sexually stimulated, in the 3 days after taking the pill.
You can find out more about experiences with this medication, from our UK patient Tadalafil reviews.
Both Tadalafil 20mg and 10mg are 'when required' doses, so should be taken around 30 minutes before sexual activity. 20mg is the maximum allowable dose. If you have found that this dose is not effective for you, it may be that this medicine is not for you. Speak to your GP for further options. If you have liver problems, speak to your GP before taking this because the dose may need to be reduced.
Tadalafil 2.5mg and 5mg are known as Tadalafil Daily dose tablets. These are designed as daily dosages. You should take one tablet daily to help maintain the levels of Tadalafil in the bloodstream.
If you notice your erections are lasting too long, or you are not achieving an erection for long enough, you can adjust your dosage as appropriate. Remember; if taking Tadalafil daily, the maximum dosage is 5mg. If taking Tadalafil when required, the maximum dosage in a 72 hour period is 20mg as a single dose. You may find that to solve your ED issues you only need to take a 5mg tablet every 2-3 days.
Every patient is different, so you should adjust your dose according to the results. It is better to take as little medicine as possible, as this reduces the chances of potential side effects. If you are able to configure your dosage effectively, this will also save you money!
![]() | Cialis 2.5mg The daily dosage used when 5mg is too strong |
Cialis 5mg Tablet preferred if Tadalafil is established to be effective and the patient prefers daily rather than when required dosing | |
| Cialis 10mg Common starting dose. Used only just prior to sexual activity. |
![]() | Cialis 20mg Also used just prior to sexual activity. Usually used when 10mg is ineffective. |
If a 10mg or 20mg dosage is successful in treating your ED, you may wish to consider using the 2.5mg or 5mg daily dose. The reason men may use this daily dose is that it maintains levels of Tadalafil in the blood all the time. This means you do not need to remember to take it each time you wish to have sex. Simply take the daily tablet each day, and this should mean you can achieve an erection, whenever you come to engage in sexual activity.
The convenience of not needing to take your medication with you everywhere, and simply taking it with your breakfast each morning, is a change in how traditional ED medications have worked.
The most commons side effects of Tadalafil are
Those listed below are more serious, and you should stop taking Tadalafil, and report these to your doctor immediately.
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.
Tadalafil is not the only treatment option for sufferers of erectile dysfunction. You may wish to choose other drugs to treat your ED, or even try a drug-free approach.
Depending on the cause of your erectile dysfunction, it is possible that you could resolve your symptoms without taking any medication. For example, alcohol can be a cause of ED, and if your intake is high, you can try reducing your weekly intake to see if this helps. If you are overweight, you may also find trouble getting and maintaining an erection. Losing weight can improve erectile dysfunction.
Counselling can also be helpful if anxiety and stress play a role in your symptoms.
In terms of other ED medicines available, the branded version of Tadalafil, Cialis is an option. Viagra and Sildenafil are also alternatives, and while they do not provide as long lasting an effect, they are very effective ED treatments. Levitra and Spedra are the other ED treatments available in the UK, which also have some advantages depending on the patient. Whether you choose a branded drug or one of the generic medicines, check you are ordering from a trusted source.
Tadalafil - 4 tablets | from £8.95 |
Tadalafil - 8 tablets | from £15.95 |
Tadalafil - 12 tablets | from £22.95 |
Tadalafil - 16 tablets | from £25.45 |
Tadalafil - 32 tablets | from £43.95 |
Tadalafil - 64 tablets | from £84.95 |
Daily Dose Tadalafil | from £19.85 |
All of our medication and condition content is written by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.
Authored: 13/03/2023
Reviewed: 20/03/2025
Sildenafil | Viagra | Tadalafil | Cialis | Vardenafil | Levitra | Spedra | |
Active Ingredient | Sildenafil | Sildenafil | Tadalafil | Tadalafil | Vardenafil | Vardenafil | Avanafil |
Time to Take Effect | 30-60 mins | 30-60 mins | 15-45 mins | 15-45 mins | 30-60 mins | 30-60 mins | 15-30 mins |
Duration of Action | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 24-36 hours | 24-36 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours |
Unique Feature | Same active ingredient as Viagra | Most well known | Same active ingredient as Cialis | Longest Acting | Used for diabetics | Used for diabetics | Quickest Acting |
Price Per Tablet | From 78p | From £4.84 | From 67p | From £2.26 | From £2.74 | From £2.97 | From £2.97 |
To read the information leaflet for Tadalafil, please visit medicines.org.uk or click the link below