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Cialis is well known for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), but a lot of men aren't aware there's also a generic version: tadalafil. Both drugs contain the same active ingredient, operate via the same mechanisms, and are equally effective; the differences lie in their appearance, who manufactures them, and, of course, the cost.
Every medication starts out as a brand-name drug developed by a pharmaceutical company. Once the patent protections expire, other manufacturers are permitted to produce a generic version of the medication with the same dosage form, route of administration, strength, and active ingredients. The generic tadalafil was manufactured based on the brand-name drug Cialis and gained FDA approval once it was proven that tadalafil is bioequivalent (delivers the medication into the bloodstream at the same rate and extent) (Shao et al., 2021).
For most people, it means that tadalafil offers the same therapeutic benefits as Cialis, but at a substantially lower price.
Tadalafil is an ED medication accessed with a prescription, belonging to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It helps increase the blood flow to the erectile tissue during sexual stimulation (enhances sexual response) by relaxing the smooth muscles in the blood vessels (Coward & Carson, 2008).
Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, and it contains exactly the same active ingredients as its generic, tadalafil.
Even though the active ingredient is the same, different doses are approved for different health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tadalafil to treat the following conditions (Fahmy & Hess, 2024):
Contact Feel30 for a consultation and to learn more about using tadalafil.
Like tadalafil, Cialis is FDA-approved to treat the same conditions because it contains the same active ingredients.
During sexual stimulation, the body releases nitric oxide, which stimulates the production of cGMP (a molecule that relaxes the smooth muscles in the penis). This allows more blood to flow into the erectile tissue, resulting in an erection. What tadalafil does is block the PDE5 enzyme, which ordinarily breaks down this cGMP. Keeping the cGMP active for longer increases blood flow and helps achieve and maintain erections (Fahmy & Hess, 2024).
That said, tadalafil does not automatically cause an erection or increase sexual desire; it's not an aphrodisiac. Its purpose is to help the body's natural erection process function more effectively when you are already sexually aroused.
Cialis works exactly the same way as tadalafil because both medications use the same mechanism of action and are equally clinically effective when they're taken at the same dose.
At Feel30, we have all the information you need about erectile dysfunction. Read our guide to help you make informed decisions.
The main differences between the two medications are the branding and the price, not the performance. Cialis is made by Eli Lilly, and tadalafil is made by several manufacturers; therefore, the tablets might differ in shape, color, and packaging.
For most men, price is often the deciding factor when it comes to choosing between tadalafil and Cialis. Brand-name Cialis often costs $400–$500 for a 30-day supply. Generic tadalafil can cost as little as $4–$30 with discount programs or coupons for the same amount of pills. Because many manufacturers now make tadalafil, competition has increased, and the cost has gone down; generic tablets cost much less than the original brand-name alternative (Hannemann, 2020).
For many men, it makes sense to choose the generic tadalafil because it means long-term treatment is more affordable, and it offers the same clinical benefits.
Both Cialis and tadalafil are available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets. Typically, the lower doses are prescribed for daily use, and the 10 and 20 mg tablets are taken on an as-needed basis.
Your healthcare professional will prescribe the appropriate dose depending on your age and overall health, prescription medications, and how you respond to the treatment.
[Photo by Monkey Business Images/Canva].
The biggest and best advantage of tadalafil is its flexibility. If you're a man who prefers spontaneity, daily Cialis uses a lower-dose approach designed to maintain more consistent tadalafil exposure and reduce the need to time each dose around sexual activity.
Some men prefer taking a dose only when they need to. And because tadalafil has a longer half-life, it remains active for up to 36 hours, which is why it's also known as "the weekend pill," offering a much longer window of opportunity when compared to other PDE5 inhibitors (Coward & Carson, 2008).
Neither dosage protocol is inherently better; the best option for you depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
To find out more on how long tadalafil takes to work, read our guide.
Like all prescription drugs, Cialis and tadalafil can cause some side effects, but most men tolerate the medications well. They share the same active ingredient, so they have the same safety profile as well.
Most of the common side effects are mild and temporary, although some may require a dose adjustment or switching to a different medication. The side effects are related to tadalafil relaxing blood vessels, which can also temporarily cause a drop in blood pressure. Tadalafil side effects can vary depending on the dose, other medications, and individual health factors.
The most common side effects (Hannemann, 2020) include:
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
Tadalafil is not for everyone. It's essential that before you start treatment you discuss what supplements and medications you take with your healthcare provider to reduce the risk of adverse drug interactions. Also, you should not take tadalafil with another PDE5 inhibitor unless advised to by your doctor (Huang & Lie, 2013).
You should not take Cialis or tadalafil if you:
Be cautious if:
The simple answer is no; tadalafil or Cialis cannot cure erectile dysfunction or reverse the underlying causes; however, they can improve erections temporarily (Frajese et al., 2006).
ED is typically linked to lifestyle factors or underlying health conditions. If you treat those issues, it may improve your sexual health in the long term.
Yes, both tadalafil and Cialis are approved by the FDA to treat erectile dysfunction. Generic medications must adhere to specific guidelines to be approved. They have to have the same strength, quality, safety, and active ingredient as the brand-name version (Research, 2020).
Tadalafil isn't cheaper because it's lower quality; it's cheaper because it's manufactured by multiple companies, which increases competition and drives down the price.
The brand-name medications tend to stay more expensive due to marketing, development, and branding costs; not because they work better.
For the majority of men, there is no medical reason to pay more for the same results. Clinical trials have shown that Cialis and tadalafil are comparable when taken at the same dose (Shao et al., 2021).
If you prefer the familiarity of the brand name, then opt for Cialis; if you prefer the value of a generic, opt for tadalafil.
No, Cialis is not stronger than tadalafil.
Milligram for milligram, they are the same medication; a 10 mg Cialis tablet has the same intensity as a 10 mg tadalafil tablet (Drugs.com, 2026).
If you're deciding between tadalafil and Cialis, the choice ultimately comes down to the price and what you're comfortable with. Both medications offer identical dosage options and mechanisms of action, and both medications are equally effective at treating erectile dysfunction.
For many men, generic tadalafil provides the same clinical benefits as Cialis at a lower cost.
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