Cialis is a brand-name version of tadalafil, a popular medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking the medication helps you get the maximum effect while avoiding side effects.
Reasons not to take 40 milligrams (mg) of Cialis include how the drug works and its duration. Increasing the dose could result in side effects.
If you feel your current dosage isnât working, there may be options to consider. Letâs look at Cialis, why to avoid taking too much, and more.
Taking 40 mg of Cialis could be dangerous and raise the risk of side effects such as a sudden drop in blood pressure and priapism. The typical dose is 10 mg for occasional use and 2.5 or 5 mg for daily use. The typical maximum dose of Cialis for ED is 20 mg once a day.
If a doctor has prescribed Cialis for pulmonary arterial hypertension, you may be advised to take two 20-mg doses a day. But taking that much of the medication should be done only under a doctorâs guidance.
It changes more than your penis
While Cialis works for ED by affecting the PDE5 enzyme in the penis, it also affects other PDE enzymes in tissues and cells in other areas of the body. For example, PDE5 is found in tissues in the lungs, kidneys, liver, brain, and platelets.
Cialis also affects PDE11, which is found in tissues in the heart, pancreas, pituitary, skeletal muscles, testes, and corpus cavernosum.
It increases your chances of side effects
Doubling the maximum dose of Cialis to 40 mg can increase the chances of experiencing side effects, which include:
- headaches
- flushing
- dizziness
- back pain
- vision and hearing changes
It may also cause priapism, an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, damaging the penile tissue. An urgent medical evaluation is needed to prevent long-term damage if this occurs.
Itâs in your system for a while and clears slowly
Another reason not to double your dose is the long lasting effects of Cialis.
The effects of Cialis last much longer (up to 36 hours) than other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra (4 to 5 hours). So, Cialis stays in your body and clears slowly. This can increase the risk of side effects if you add doses on top of whatâs already in your system.
How does Cialis work?
Cialis is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It limits the effect of the PDE5 enzyme in the penis, allowing blood vessels in your penis to relax so blood can flow into the penis, helping to get or keep an erection. Keep in mind that Cialis wonât work unless youâre stimulated or aroused.
Cialis, a brand-name version of tadalafil, is available by prescription in tablet form in four strengths:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
The dose of Cialis for ED depends on your age and if youâre taking it once daily (lower dose) or as needed (higher dose).
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dosing guidelines for ED symptoms, the recommended dose for Cialis once daily is 2.5 mg to start and may be increased to 5 mg if needed.
The recommended dose for as-needed Cialis is 10 mg and may be adjusted up or down to a maximum of 20 mg.
Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis. Itâs part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and is prescribed for the following conditions:
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
- benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Tadalafil treats ED by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal.
What is the benefit of tadalafil?
Tadalafil is unique compared with other PDE5 inhibitors because it can be taken either once daily at a lower dose or as needed at least 30 minutes before sexual activity.
This lets you choose which dosing suits your lifestyle needs best.
On average, Cialis starts to work in about 30 minutes and can take up to 2 hours to take effect.
How well a medication works depends on the individual and can vary from person to person.
Donât be discouraged if Cialis doesnât work right away. If youâre nervous or anxious, this affects your arousal and ability to get or keep an erection.
Talk with a doctor about your experience with Cialis to see whether a dose increase or switching to a different ED medication would work better.
- Try different timing if you take it as needed. You may need to take Cialis a few times for you to figure out the best timing for as-needed dosing. Donât take more than one dose in a day.
- Be consistent for daily use. Some people prefer the daily dose because it allows small amounts of Cialis to always be in your bloodstream, so you can have flexibility with sexual activity. For the daily dose, try to take it at the same time every day.
Cialis can last up to 36 hours in the body but may last up to 72 hours in some cases. How long it lasts can vary.
Your age, genetics, and if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease all affect how the drug works and how long Cialis stays in your body. You may need dose adjustments to avoid side effects.
The dosage of Cialis and how itâs prescribed for you depends on:
- your overall health
- your age and lifestyle
- other medications youâre taking
- other conditions you may have like diabetes or high blood pressure
If you have heart, kidney, or liver disease, itâs important to discuss your ED treatment options with a doctor. You may need a lower dose of Cialis to avoid side effects.
WarningDo not take Cialis with nitrate class angina medications or alpha blocker medications. They can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.
Some tips when taking Cialis:
- avoid excess alcohol because it can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting
- avoid grapefruit juice with Cialis, as it interacts with the medication
- take the medication as prescribed by your doctor
- ask a pharmacist about interactions with other medications
Lifestyle tips to improve ED symptoms:
- try to lower stress and anxiety
- increase your physical activity and eat a healthy diet
- communicate with your partner about your concerns
- consider professional counseling or sex therapy
Upping your dose of Cialis increases your chances of serious side effects and damage, including:
- low blood pressure (a higher dose may increase the risk of dizziness and fainting)
- chest pain
- confusion
- difficulty speaking or breathing
- priapism (a higher dose may increase this risk due to the longer effect of Cialis)
- sudden change or loss of vision or hearing
Call your doctor if you feel youâre experiencing serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
Some common side effects of Cialis include:
- muscle pain and back pain (higher doses may increase the risk of these effects)
- limb pain
- headache
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- indigestion
- flushing
- stuffy or runny nose
Allergic reactionIf you feel youâre experiencing an allergic reaction to Cialis (face or tongue swelling, rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing) or a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention or call 911.
Cialis is one of the most popular ED medications sold worldwide. Unfortunately, itâs also very common to find Cialis and other ED medications sold online without a prescription through fake pharmacies and other suspect online portals.
Buying prescription medications online through fake sites can jeopardize your health but may also compromise your data and privacy.
Fake products are designed to look exactly like the genuine prescription but may be contaminated, have more or less than the listed strength or dose, be expired, have harmful ingredients, and harm your health.
You canât tell whatâs in these products just by looking.
So, what can you do?
The best way to learn more about ED is to make an appointment with a doctor. They can diagnose the problem and offer a prescription if needed.
Telehealth options, (sometimes covered by insurance, including Medicare plans) such as over the phone, online services, and telemedicine apps are available to connect you with a doctor.
Occasional episodes of ED are typical and could be due to causes such as work stress, relationship troubles, or excessive alcohol consumption. But if you are experiencing ED at least 25 percent of the time, you should talk with a doctor. You should also discuss any minor changes in your erections or libido. Addressing signs of trouble early could help avoid frustrating sexual encounters in the near term or may lead to an early diagnosis of a condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes â two common causes of ED, especially in younger individuals.
What will happen if I take 40mg of Cialis?
While you may experience no side effects or complications from taking 40 mg of Cialis, you do run the risk of problems such as a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can, in turn, lead to fainting and a possible injury from a fall.
Taking too much Cialis also means any side effects you experience, such as headaches, priapism, and leg or back pain, are more likely to last longer than side effects accompanying a standard dose.
What is the maximum amount of Cialis I can take?
Cialis is a prescription medication, and you should take only the prescribed amount. The dose may be 10 or 20 mg for occasional use before sexual activity or 2.5 or 5 mg for ongoing daily use. If you find that the prescribed dose isnât effective or is causing unwanted side effects, talk with your doctor about changing the dose or trying a different type of ED treatment.
Can you take too much tadalafil?
Like any medication, tadalafil can be problematic or even dangerous if you take too much. The medication is designed to significantly impact your circulation, so taking too much may cause severe reactions that negatively affect your sexual health and blood flow throughout the body.
(Video) Viagra vs. Cialis: Little Blue Pill Is Losing Big
If the Cialis dose your doctor prescribed doesnât seem to be helping, donât double your dose to 40 mg on your own. This could increase the risks of serious adverse reactions or side effects.
Make an appointment to talk with a doctor about possible causes and alternative treatment options, including other PDE5 inhibitors, medications, and lifestyle changes that might help.
Itâs important to discuss your sexual history, medications youâre taking, and your overall health and concerns about ED with a doctor.
FAQs
Does 40mg Cialis work better than 20 mg? âș
Official answer. The maximum recommended dose of Cialis is 20mg daily. Increasing the dose to 40mg might just increase the intensity of side effects and may not actually deal with the erectile dysfunction problem. If 20mg dose is not working you might want to look for an another medicine.
How much tadalafil should I take for erectile dysfunction? âșThe usual dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction is 10mg when you need it. Do not take more than 1 tablet a day. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose, depending on how well it works and how often you take it.
What is the maximum amount of Cialis I can take? âșThe maximum dose of Cialis that can be taken in a day is 20 mg. You should not take Cialis more than once a day. In clinical trials, Cialis helped people with ED symptoms for up to 36 hours after their dose. So if you're taking the medication only as needed, you shouldn't have to take it every day.
How much tadalafil is enough? âșFor treatment of erectile dysfunction (as needed): Adultsâ10 milligrams (mg) as a single dose, no more than once a day, taken 30 minutes before you think sexual activity may occur. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. ChildrenâUse is not recommended.
Is it safe to take 40 mg of tadalafil? âșIs 40 mg of Cialis safe? Taking 40 mg of Cialis could be dangerous and raise the risk of side effects such as a sudden drop in blood pressure and priapism. The typical dose is 10 mg for occasional use and 2.5 or 5 mg for daily use. The typical maximum dose of Cialis for ED is 20 mg once a day.
Is it OK to take 40mg of Cialis? âșIs a 40-mg dose of Cialis safe to take? No, 40 milligrams (mg) is not a safe dose of Cialis to take. The maximum recommended dosage of Cialis is 20 mg once per day. Taking a dose of Cialis that's higher than recommended could increase your risk for side effects.
How can I make tadalafil work better? âș- Take as directed. For as-needed dosing, take Cialis at least 30 minutes or more before sexual activity. ...
- Take as part of a lifestyle with physical activity. ...
- Communicate and stay relaxed.
If you take too much tadalafil or take it together with these medicines, the chance for side effects will be higher. If you experience a prolonged erection for more than 4 hours or a painful erection for more than 6 hours, contact your doctor immediately.
How do you take tadalafil for best results? âșCialis is taken orally before sexual activity, not more than once daily. Cialis may be taken with or without food. In some patients, the dose strength and maximum frequency of use may be adjusted. For more detailed information consult with your health care provider.
Why is my 20 mg Cialis not working? âșThe most common reasons why Cialis may not have worked are incorrect use or inadequate trial. It is important to understand that Cialis may not work after the first dose. It is advisable to try at least 8-10 doses before getting concerned about whether or not Cialis is working.
Why doesn't Cialis work for me? âș
But the main reason why Cialis and other medications don't work is the lack of sufficient blood flow to the penis no matter what the cause. For the most part, erections are all about having enough blood getting to the penis to result in an erection.
How long does tadalafil take to peak? âșLike all PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil requires sexual stimulation to work â ie: you only get an erection when you want to. Some men report having an erection as quickly as 16 minutes. Most men feel the benefit of tadalafil after 30 minutes.
What is the strongest tadalafil? âșCialis is also available as a 20mg tablet. This version of Cialis is the strongest dosage that has been approved for use by the FDA and, just like the 10mg version of Cialis, is designed for use as needed before you have sex.
Can you build up a tolerance to tadalafil? âșThe efficacy of tadalafil was maintained over a 6âmonth treatment period in men with ED. These results suggest that tolerance did not develop during the 6âmonth treatment period as needed dosing of 20 mg tadalafil.
Can I take 50 mg of tadalafil? âșMen taking tadalafil for erectile dysfunction should not take more than 20 mg per day. The recommended daily dose for pulmonary hypertension is 40 mg per day and should not be exceeded.
When should I take tadalafil 40 mg? âșYou can take it when you need it (30 minutes before sex), or you can take a low-dose pill every day. There are several instances in which you should not take Cialis (tadalafil), and you should speak with your doctor about whether it's safe for you.
What is tadalafil 40mg? âșTadalafil is used to treat men who have erectile dysfunction (also called sexual impotence). Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medicines prevent an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type-5 from working too quickly.
When is Cialis at its peak? âșPeak plasma concentrations of Cialis are reached within 30 minutes to six hours (average time two hours) of a dose. Effects of 'as needed' Cialis last for up to 36 hours. The recommended starting dose for once-daily Cialis for ED is 2.5mg; once daily Cialis for BPH, 5mg; and 'as needed' Cialis, 10mg.
Is there anything better than tadalafil? âșVardenafil (Levitra) is more selective than sildenafil and tadalafil (Cialis) to PDE5, which again means a lower dose is needed with potentially less side effects.
Which is more effective tadalafil or Cialis? âșGeneric Cialis, or Tadalafil, is the same as Cialis in terms of its active ingredient (tadalafil), its effectiveness and side effects. The difference you may see is in the cost, with generic medicines tending to be less expensive.
Does tadalafil work as well as Cialis? âș
Generic versions of tadalafil that are FDA-approved are just as effective as Cialis. The FDA provides a rigorous inspection process to make sure companies selling these generic drugs undergo good manufacturing processes and that their drugs provide the same clinical benefits.
What is the best pill to stay hard longer? âș- Sildenafil (Viagra). This medication is most effective when taken on an empty stomach one hour before sex. ...
- Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). This medication also is most effective when taken one hour before sex and can be taken with or without food. ...
- Tadalafil (Cialis). ...
- Avanafil (Stendra).
Across all studies, the incidence rate of myocardial infarction was low in tadalafil-treated patients (0.43 per 100 patient-years) compared with patients who received placebo (0.6 per 100 patient-years), and the incidence rate was comparable to that observed in the age-standardized male population (0.60 per 100 patient ...
Why can I only get a semi hard on? âșWhy You're Not Getting All the Way Hard. Erectile dysfunction's mechanism is quite simple, but the underlying cause could be a myriad of reasons, from poor diet and exercise habits, diabetes or heart disease, to low self-esteem, depression or anxiety.
Does more Cialis make you harder? âșIt's worth noting that, while both Cialis and Viagra will help you achieve a harder erection, this only works if you suffer from erectile dysfunction. If you can already achieve a strong erection without the use of ED treatments, neither Viagra nor Cialis will make you harder.
Does Cialis Work If You're not turned on? âșThese ED medications only work if you're already aroused. Taking both Cialis and Viagra can also increase your risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure.
Does tadalafil raise blood pressure? âșLow dose tadalafil (5 mg daily) can improve blood pressure control and erectile function. The fact that PDEâ5 inhibitors can lower blood pressure and improve erectile function suggests that lowering blood pressure by itself does not cause ED and it is probably related to the antihypertensive medications.
How long does 20mg of tadalafil work? âșUnlike Viagra, for instance, which can work for a few hours after the medication is taken, Tadalafil can be effective for up to 36 hours from just a single dose, according to the National Library of Medicine.
How long does 40mg of Cialis last? âșIt can last up to 36 hours. Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor medication approved for use for erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
What is the best strength of Cialis? âșThe typical dose for once-daily Cialis for ED is 2.5 milligrams (mg) to 5 mg. When used as needed for ED, the usual Cialis dose is 10 mg (with a maximum daily dose of 20 mg). The typical dose of Viagra for ED is 50 mg.
What happens if 20mg Cialis doesn't work? âș
If you're prescribed a lower dosage of Cialis and you find that it's not fully effective (for example, you notice some improvements but still have difficulty maintaining an erection), it's a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare provider to see if switching you to a higher dose is appropriate.
Is there a better pill than Cialis? âșStructurally vardenafil (Levitra) is similar to sildenafil, while tadalafil (Cialis) is very different. Vardenafil (Levitra) is almost 10 times more biochemically potent than sildenafil, therefore a lower dose is needed to facilitate the penile erection, potentially resulting in less side effects.
Is tadalafil as potent as Cialis? âș4) Tadalafil is no different from brand-name Cialis
On top of that, the FDA has strict guidelines that ensure that generic drugs contain the same active ingredients and are just as effective as their brand-name versions.
Generic Cialis, or Tadalafil, is the same as Cialis in terms of its active ingredient (tadalafil), its effectiveness and side effects. The difference you may see is in the cost, with generic medicines tending to be less expensive.
Can you build a tolerance to tadalafil? âșTadalafil has a halfâlife of 17.5 hours. In patients taking tadalafil more frequently than every 3â4 days, sustained plasma levels of tadalafil will be present and may be associated with an increased risk of tolerance.
How can I speed up the effects of Cialis? âșIf you take Cialis as needed, be sure to give yourself plenty of time (since it takes up to 1 to 2 hours to kick in). Otherwise, you can't speed it up after you've taken it. If that's not working for you, you could consider taking a lower-dose tablet every day. This might be better if you prefer to be more spontaneous.
Does tadalafil increase size? âșfound no difference in penile size between pre and postoperative measurements with the use of full dose PDE5-I on demand (8). We found a significant decrease in all penile measurements in control patients (not using Tadalafil) at 3rd postoperative month when compared with preoperative measurements (p = 0.001).
Why is my ED medicine not working? âșAnother reason drugs may not work is because your ED is caused by an underlying health condition. This can include issues with nerves, blood vessels, or hormones. If ED medication isn't working for you, talk to a healthcare provider about getting evaluated for other things that could be causing the issue.