Tadalafil Duration: What To Expect And How Long It Lasts

Tadalafil, also known by its brand name, Cialis, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s particularly popular due to its long-lasting effects and versatile treatment options. Let’s explore how to get the most out of this treatment, how long it lasts, and how it works.

Mechanism of action: How tadalafil works

Tadalafil is a type of medication known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It works by blocking PDE5, an enzyme that controls blood flow in the penis. By inhibiting PDE5, tadalafil helps increase blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, helping you achieve and maintain an erection.

It's important to note that tadalafil doesn’t cause unwanted erections, or increase sexual desire — arousal is still needed for the medication to work. If you do find that tadalafil gives you a painful erection, or an erection that lasts over 4 hours, it’s important to seek medical attention.

Duration of effectiveness for erectile dysfunction

Tadalafil can work for as long as 36 hours, which is why it’s sometimes known as ‘the weekend pill’. [1] It’s available in two different types of strength: the daily dose, and as-needed dose. The once-daily dose of tadalafil is 2.5mg or 5mg, and allows you to stay prepared for sex at all times. The higher dose, or 'weekend pills', at 10mg and 20mg, typically help you stay prepared for sex for around 24-36 hours with one dose.

Comparison with other treatments for erectile dysfunction

Tadalafil allows for much more spontaneous sexual activity than other erectile dysfunction medications such as Viagra (sildenafil) which typically lasts 1-4 hours. This creates less pressure around timings, and helps you achieve an erection as needed. Like other PDE5 inhibitors, tadalafil's most common side effects include nasal congestion (stuffy nose), muscle pain and stomach issues. You can learn more about side effects and how to manage them here.

Factors that could influence tadalafil’s duration

There are a number of health factors that could impact how effective and long-lasting tadalafil can be. In particular, older adults or those with certain health conditions might experience variations in how long tadalafil lasts — conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can affect blood flow and, therefore, the effectiveness of tadalafil. Other factors like liver or kidney disease can influence how the body metabolizes the medication, which might affect the length of time it lasts. [2]

To make the best use of an erectile dysfunction treatment like tadalafil, it’s important to raise any potential medical concerns you have with a healthcare professional.

At ZipHealth, we’re committed to providing clinically proven medications like tadalafil and tadalafil daily to help you manage erectile dysfunction. By understanding how these medications work and what influences their duration, you can make informed decisions and achieve the best results for your sexual health.

For more information, such as common side effects and medical advice on erectile dysfunction, head to ZipHealth, or explore more topics from healthcare experts on our blog.

References

[1] 1.Young JM. Tadalafil Improved Erectile Function at Twenty-Four and Thirty-Six Hours After Dosing in Men With Erectile Dysfunction: US Trial. Journal of Andrology. 2005 May 1;26(3):310–8.

[2] Gibson TP. Renal Disease and Drug Metabolism: An Overview. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 1986 Jul;8(1):7–17.