All possible dosages may not be included here. Your doctor will tell you what dosage is right for you.
Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Dosage for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Generic: Tadalafil
Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Brand: Cialis
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Typical dosage: One 5-mg tablet per day.
- When to take your dose: Take it at about the same time each day. Don’t take tadalafil more than once per day.
- When taking with other drugs: If you’re taking tadalafil with finasteride (another drug used to treat BPH), your tadalafil dosage will be 5 mg once daily for up to 26 weeks.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 18 years.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage to keep the drug from building up too much in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.
Dosage for erectile dysfunction (ED)
Generic: Tadalafil
Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Brand: Cialis
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
Tadalafil can be used either as needed or taken once a day. Don’t take tadalafil more than once per day.
For as-needed use:
- Typical starting dosage: 10 mg.
- Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dose to 20 mg or decrease it to 5 mg. This depends on how tadalafil is working for you and how well your body reacts to it.
- When to take your dose: Take one tadalafil tablet before you expect to have sexual activity. You may have sexual activity 30 minutes after taking tadalafil, and up to 36 hours afterward.
For once-daily use:
- Typical starting dosage: 2.5 mg per day.
- Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dose to 5 mg per day, depending on how well tadalafil is working for you and how well your body reacts to it.
- When to take your dose: Take one tadalafil tablet every day. Take it at about the same time each day. You may try to have sexual activity at any time between doses.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 18 years.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage to keep the drug from building up too much in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.
Dosage for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (ED/BPH)
Generic: Tadalafil
Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Brand: Cialis
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Typical dosage: One 5-mg tablet every day.
- When to take your dose: Take this drug at about the same time each day. Don’t take tadalafil more than once per day. You may try to have sexual activity at any time between doses. You need to be sexually aroused for tadalafil to help you have an erection.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 18 years.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage to keep the drug from building up too much in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.
Dosage for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Brand: Adcirca
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 20 mg
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Typical starting dosage: 40 mg (taken as two 20-mg tablets) once per day.
- When to take your dose: Take this dose at about the same time each day.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 18 years.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage to keep the drug from building up too much in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.
Special dosage considerations
- For people with kidney disease: Your body gets rid of tadalafil partly through your kidneys. If your kidneys aren’t working well, more of the drug may stay in your body longer. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may decide to lower your dosage, have you take it less often, or not prescribe it at all for you. This depends on how severe your kidney disease is and whether you are on dialysis.
- For people with liver disease: Tadalafil is processed by your liver. If your liver isn’t working well, more of the drug may stay in your body longer. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may decide to lower your dosage of tadalafil, have you take it less often, or not prescribe it at all for you. This depends on how severe your liver disease is.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Tadalafil oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you stop or don’t take it on schedule: If you’re being treated for BPH, your BPH symptoms may not improve. These may include trouble starting to urinate, straining while trying to urinate, and a weak urine flow. They may also include frequent urges to urinate.
If you’re being treated for ED, you may not be able to get and keep an erection during sexual activity.
If you’re being treated for PAH, it won’t help you feel better. It won’t decrease your symptoms, such as shortness of breath during physical activity.
If you take too much: You will be at an increased risk of side effects.
If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose: Take it when you remember, but don’t take more than one dose per day. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms of BPH, ED, or PAH should improve.