Rankings / Hormones & Endocrine
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Hormones & Endocrine · Long-acting PDE5 inhibitor
Tier S
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Tadalafil (Cialis) as S (8.8/10) based on very strong evidence, very strong benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Long half-life makes daily low-dose dosing feasible ('weekender' branding).
Typical use: 2. — Rx; generic since 2018.
What this is
Long half-life makes daily low-dose dosing feasible ('weekender' branding). BPH approval at 5 mg daily is useful for older men with ED+LUTS. Back/muscle pain is characteristic (via PDE11 cross-inhibition). Same CV cautions and food effects less pronounced than sildenafil.
Mechanism
Same mechanism as sildenafil but with ~17.5-hr plasma half-life — allows daily low-dose use for continuous effect rather than as-needed; also FDA-approved for BPH symptoms
Dose & route
2.5-5 mg PO daily (daily regimen) or 10-20 mg on-demand
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16226412/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22182305/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2684510/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38495807/
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Common questions
- Does Tadalafil (Cialis) work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Tadalafil (Cialis) as Very Strong and the benefit magnitude as very strong, producing an overall grade of S (8.8/10). Long half-life makes daily low-dose dosing feasible ('weekender' branding).
- Is Tadalafil (Cialis) safe?
- Tadalafil (Cialis) has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx; generic since 2018. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Tadalafil (Cialis)?
- 2.5-5 mg PO daily (daily regimen) or 10-20 mg on-demand
- How does Tadalafil (Cialis) work?
- Same mechanism as sildenafil but with ~17.5-hr plasma half-life — allows daily low-dose use for continuous effect rather than as-needed; also FDA-approved for BPH symptoms
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.