Cialis and its generic counterpart, tadalafil, have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat erectile dysfunction. See our most trusted places to get this medication discreetly at the right price.
The table below compares the above brands for buying Cialis online:
| Service | Price (branded) | Price (generic) | Consultation fee | Shipping | Insurance accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | $958 per month | starts at $82 per month | free | 5 to 7 business days | no |
| Roman | $20 to $80 per dose | $8-44 per dose | $15 | 2 days | no |
| Lemonaid | not available | $8 per dose | around $25 | 2 to 3 business days | yes, via local pharmacy |
| Optum | dependent on local pharmacy | dependent on local pharmacy | $25 initial consultation | none | no |
| K Health | not available | $1.80 per 10 mg dose | • $39 per appointment • $147 per quarter for unlimited consultations | 5 to 7 business days | no |
Medical News Today chooses Cialis retailers that meet the following criteria:
- Company reputation: MNT only features brands that have undergone our internal vetting of medical and business standards. We choose reputable and reliable brands with positive reviews and transparent business practices.
- Product transparency: MNT only features retailers that clearly state the ingredients, side effects, and recommended dosage of Cialis.
- Safety: MNT selects brands that require a doctor’s prescription before customers can order Cialis. This ensures that a person can safely take Cialis and that the provider is responsible.
- Price: MNT chooses brands offering both brand-name and generic Cialis to suit a range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT selects Cialis retailers with robust privacy and data protection policies.
- Discretion: MNT chooses brands that send its Cialis in discreet packaging.
Interested in how we pick ED services online? Check out our vetting process here.
Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, a class of medications that can help treat enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction.
The generic version, tadalafil, contains the same active ingredient. As tadalafil is not branded, it is more affordable. However, some insurance companies may only cover branded Cialis.
Both Cialis and tadalafil are prescription-only medications. This means that you cannot buy them unless you have a valid prescription from a doctor — any online or in-person pharmacy that offers these drugs for sale without a prescription is not reputable.
The FDA approves the use of Cialis to treat erectile dysfunction. Therefore, a person’s doctor may prescribe this medication for this purpose.
People with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may acquire a Cialis prescription. It gained approval to treat BPH after
A person needs to consult a medical professional if they experience symptoms of either condition.
The price of Cialis varies considerably depending on which pharmacy a person uses.
According to Optum Perks, here are the prices for thirty 5-mg Cialis tablets at several major pharmacies:
- Walmart: $301
- Target (CVS): $287
- CVS Pharmacy: $287
- Walgreens: $296
Higher doses are more expensive.
Cialis is considerably more expensive than its generic version, tadalafil.
Optum offers valid coupons at the above pharmacies and many other independent stores. Customers can redeem the coupons online by visiting the company’s website.
Cialis is available in tablet form that you can take orally with or without food.
You should take this medication at least 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activity. Some tablets are also suitable to take once daily — a doctor will tell you if this is the case. You should not take more than one tablet within 24 hours.
You should take Cialis around the same time every day. Daily dosing may suit you if you have frequent sex or prefer more spontaneity.
An on-demand dose is 10 or 20 mg, while a daily dose is 2.5 or 5 mg.
You should always follow a doctor’s instructions when taking this type of medication. Depending on how your body responds to treatment, a doctor may recommend increasing or decreasing the dose.
Cialis can cause mild or severe side effects. You should always contact a healthcare professional if you experience any side effects, as there might be an alternative pill you can use.
Mild side effects
Cialis can cause the following
Severe side effects
Severe side effects
- vision loss
- a sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, which is known as priapism
- breathing difficulties
The risk of side effects increases if you take a higher dose than a doctor has prescribed.
Viagra is another branded medication that can treat ED. Below, we compare the two.
| Medication | Form | Active ingredient | How to use | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis | tablet | tadalafil | take as needed before sex | may include: • headaches • back pain • muscle pain • facial flushes • indigestion |
| Viagra | tablet | sildenafil | take | may • headaches • flushing • nasal congestion • back pain • nausea • dizziness • skin rash |
When taking Cialis, you must consult a doctor or seek emergency medical treatment if you develop any side effects. If a person experiences severe symptoms, you must seek emergency medical attention.
Cialis may be unsuitable for people with chest pain who take nitrates, as combining the two medications can lower blood pressure to a dangerous level.
Cialis is a yellow, almond-shaped tablet imprinted with a “C,” followed by the strength of the pill. Depending on which strength a doctor has prescribed, you will receive tablets with C5, C10, or C20 printed on them.
Tadalafil, on the other hand, does not have a typical appearance. Depending on the brand the pharmacist gives you, you may receive a round, oval, oblong, or almond-shaped tablet.
Some tablets will have a “T” followed by the strength of the pill, such as T5, T10, or T20. Others may have letters followed by numbers.
If you are not sure whether your pill looks like it should, a pharmacist will be able to check for you.
Besides ED, healthcare professionals may recommend Cialis or other PDE5 inhibitors for the following conditions:
- idiopathic pulmonary hypertension
- premature ejaculation alongside ED
- high altitude sickness
- penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy
- lower urinary tract infections
People can take 1 tablet before engaging in sexual activity. They can do so 30 minutes before.
Both generic and branded Cialis are “real” Cialis. Generic versions of drugs are equally as effective as their branded counterparts as they contain the same active ingredients at the same doses. However, their prices vary greatly.
Viagra and Cialis are both PDE5 inhibitors, which means they work in similar ways to help people have and maintain erections.
However, Cialis tends to last longer in the body. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, Cialis can last up to 36 hours, whereas alternatives last around 4 hours.
Various online pharmacies offer Cialis. If you do not already have a prescription, you will need to have an online consultation with a licensed doctor.
You can tell whether an online pharmacy is legitimate if it requires a prescription to dispense medication, has a valid United States-based address and phone number, and has a license with the state board of pharmacy.
