Health Guides
Generic Cialis: A Guide to Tadalafil Brands, Doses and Safe Ordering
Generic Cialis contains tadalafil, the same active ingredient as the branded tablet. This guide compares the generic tadalafil brands we stock, including Tadacip and Vidalista, and covers dosing, side effects, interactions and ordering safely with a prescription.
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Generic Cialis is the everyday name for tadalafil, the active ingredient in the branded erectile dysfunction (ED) tablet Cialis. Since the original patents expired, many manufacturers have produced their own versions. This guide explains what generic tadalafil is, how it works, how the generic brands we stock compare, and what to check before you order with a valid prescription.
Key takeaways
- Generic Cialis contains tadalafil, the same active ingredient as the branded tablet, and works in the same way.
- Licensed doses of tadalafil for ED are 2.5 mg to 20 mg. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg, no more than once a day.
- 40 mg and 80 mg tablets are widely sold but are not licensed doses in the US, UK or EU. Take only the dose your prescriber gives you.
- Tadalafil must never be combined with nitrates or riociguat, because blood pressure can drop dangerously.
- Generics usually cost less because they do not carry the original brand’s development and marketing costs.
- RxPillTab supplies tadalafil only against a valid doctor’s prescription, shipped worldwide in discreet packaging.
What is generic Cialis?
Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, first launched in the early 2000s. Tadalafil belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, the same family as sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil. It is licensed for erectile dysfunction and, at a low daily dose, for the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH).
Once the patent protection on Cialis ended, other companies were allowed to make tadalafil. A generic version contains the same active ingredient at the stated strength. The inactive ingredients, such as fillers, coatings and colours, may differ, which is why tablets from different makers can look different. Generic tadalafil is sold under many brand names, including Tadacip and Vidalista.
How does tadalafil work?
An erection happens when sexual stimulation causes the release of nitric oxide in the penis. This raises the level of a chemical messenger called cGMP, which relaxes the smooth muscle in the blood vessels and lets blood flow in. The enzyme PDE5 breaks cGMP down. Tadalafil blocks PDE5, so cGMP stays around longer and blood flow is easier to maintain.
Two points are worth understanding:
- Tadalafil does not cause an erection on its own. Sexual arousal is still needed. It does not increase desire and is not an aphrodisiac.
- It lasts a long time. Tadalafil usually starts to work within 30 minutes to 2 hours, and its effect can last up to about 36 hours. This long window is the main difference from sildenafil, which typically works for around 4 to 6 hours. If you are deciding between the two, our guide to generic Viagra vs Viagra covers sildenafil in more detail.
Because it stays in the body longer, tadalafil can also be prescribed as a low daily dose, so that a person does not need to plan around a tablet.
Generic tadalafil brands compared
The table below summarises the generic tadalafil products in our men’s health range. Strength refers to the amount of active ingredient per tablet. Please read the notes column carefully, because several of these products contain more tadalafil than any licensed dose, or combine tadalafil with a second medicine.
| Brand | Strength | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tadacip 20 | Tadalafil 20 mg | Tablet | Made by Cipla. Matches the highest licensed ED dose. |
| Ciasel 20 | Tadalafil 20 mg | Tablet | Single-ingredient tadalafil at the 20 mg licensed dose. |
| Tadaboom | Tadalafil 20 mg | Tablet | Single-ingredient tadalafil at the 20 mg licensed dose. |
| Vidalista 40 | Tadalafil 40 mg | Tablet | Made by Centurion Laboratories. Twice the maximum licensed dose; not a licensed strength in the US, UK or EU. |
| Vidalista Black 80 | Tadalafil 80 mg | Tablet | Made by Centurion Laboratories. Four times the maximum licensed dose; not a licensed strength in the US, UK or EU. |
| Super Vidalista | Tadalafil 20 mg + dapoxetine 60 mg | Tablet | Combination for ED with premature ejaculation. Not an approved combination in the US or UK. |
| Sildalist | Sildenafil 100 mg + tadalafil 20 mg | Tablet | Combines two PDE5 inhibitors. Not an approved combination in the US or UK. |
20 mg tablets: Tadacip, Ciasel and Tadaboom
For most people with a prescription for on-demand tadalafil, a 20 mg tablet is the relevant product. Tadacip 20 is made by Cipla, a large established pharmaceutical company, and is one of the best-known generic tadalafil brands. Ciasel 20 and Tadaboom also contain 20 mg of tadalafil as the only active ingredient. Between these three, the active ingredient and strength are the same; the differences are in the maker, tablet appearance, packaging and price.
Higher-strength tablets: Vidalista 40 and Vidalista Black 80
Vidalista 40 and Vidalista Black 80 are made by Centurion Laboratories and contain 40 mg and 80 mg of tadalafil per tablet. We want to be plain about this: 40 mg and 80 mg are not licensed doses of tadalafil in the US, UK or EU. The maximum recommended dose for ED is 20 mg, no more than once a day. Higher doses may increase the chance and severity of side effects. These strengths should be used only if your prescriber has specifically decided on them, and you should never take more than you have been told to.
Combination tablets: Super Vidalista and Sildalist
Super Vidalista combines tadalafil 20 mg with dapoxetine 60 mg. Dapoxetine is a short-acting medicine related to the SSRI antidepressants and is used in some countries for premature ejaculation. It is not approved in the US, and the tadalafil and dapoxetine combination is not approved in the US or UK.
Sildalist contains sildenafil 100 mg and tadalafil 20 mg in one tablet. Both are PDE5 inhibitors, and the official prescribing information for each advises against combining them with other PDE5 inhibitors. This combination is not approved in the US or UK. As with any product here, it should only be used if your doctor has prescribed it with full knowledge of your health.
Dosage basics
Your prescriber decides the right dose for you. The summary below reflects the licensed dosing in the US and UK and is for background only.
- As needed for ED: the usual starting dose is 10 mg, taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. Depending on how well it works and how it is tolerated, a doctor may raise it to 20 mg or lower it to 5 mg.
- Once daily for ED: 2.5 mg or 5 mg taken at about the same time each day.
- For BPH (with or without ED): 5 mg once daily.
- Maximum: do not take tadalafil more than once in 24 hours, and do not exceed 20 mg in a day unless your prescriber has given different instructions.
Lower doses or longer gaps between doses are often needed for people with kidney or liver problems, and for people taking certain other medicines. That is one of the reasons a prescription and a proper medical review matter.
Side effects
Most side effects of tadalafil are mild and fade within a few hours. The most common include:
- Headache
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Back pain and muscle aches, which can start 12 to 24 hours after a dose
- Flushing of the face
- Blocked or runny nose
Seek urgent medical help if you notice any of the following:
- An erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism), which can cause lasting damage if not treated
- Sudden loss or decrease of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness
- Chest pain, fainting or a fast or irregular heartbeat during or after sex
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a severe rash
The patient leaflet that comes with your tablets lists the full range of side effects and warnings. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if anything is unclear.
Who should not take tadalafil
Tadalafil is not suitable for everyone. Do not take it if you:
- Take any nitrate medicine, such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray or tablets, isosorbide mononitrate or isosorbide dinitrate, often used for angina. This includes recreational nitrites known as “poppers”.
- Take riociguat, or another guanylate cyclase stimulator, used for some types of pulmonary hypertension.
- Have been told by a doctor that sexual activity is not safe for your heart.
- Have had a heart attack in the last 90 days, or a stroke in the last 6 months.
- Have uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, or unstable angina.
- Have lost vision in an eye because of reduced blood flow to the optic nerve (NAION).
- Are allergic to tadalafil or any of the tablet’s ingredients.
Tell your doctor before starting if you have severe kidney or liver disease, a bleeding disorder, a stomach ulcer, Peyronie’s disease, or a condition such as sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia or multiple myeloma. Tadalafil is not intended for women or for anyone under 18.
Interactions and alcohol
Tadalafil can interact with a number of medicines. Always give your prescriber and pharmacist a full list of what you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements. Important interactions include:
- Nitrates and riociguat: never combine with tadalafil (see above).
- Alpha-blockers such as doxazosin, tamsulosin or alfuzosin, used for blood pressure or prostate symptoms: the combination can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness. Your doctor may adjust doses.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir and some other HIV medicines, and clarithromycin: these raise tadalafil levels in the blood, so the dose is usually limited.
- CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin and some anti-seizure medicines: these can make tadalafil less effective.
- Other PDE5 inhibitors or ED treatments: do not combine unless your doctor specifically advises it.
Large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice can also raise tadalafil levels. As for alcohol, a small amount is unlikely to cause problems for most people, but heavy drinking (around five or more drinks) together with tadalafil increases the chance of dizziness, fast heartbeat, headache and a drop in blood pressure when standing up.
Why generic tadalafil costs less
A branded medicine’s price includes years of research, clinical trials, regulatory filings and marketing. Generic manufacturers do not repeat that original development work, so they can sell the same active ingredient for less. Many manufacturers now make tadalafil, and they compete with each other on price across many brands.
Lower cost should not mean lower standards. The quality questions to ask are the same for any medicine: who made it, whether the pack is intact and correctly labelled, and whether it is within its expiry date. Prices vary by brand, strength and pack size, so check the individual product pages for current options.
Buying generic Cialis online safely
If you are considering ordering generic tadalafil online, these steps help keep the process safe:
- See a doctor first. ED can be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. A doctor can check for these, confirm that tadalafil is suitable and decide the dose.
- Use a valid prescription. RxPillTab requires a prescription for every order. A supplier that offers prescription medicines without asking for one is a warning sign.
- Choose the dose you were prescribed. If your prescription is for 20 mg or less, do not substitute a 40 mg or 80 mg tablet.
- Check your local rules. Rules on bringing prescription medicines into a country by post for personal use differ between the US, UK, EU countries and Canada. Check what applies where you live before ordering.
- Inspect what arrives. Check the brand, strength, batch number and expiry date on the pack against your order, and do not use tablets from damaged or unlabelled packaging.
Orders from RxPillTab are shipped worldwide by EMS or registered mail in plain, discreet packaging. Our how to order page explains how to upload your prescription and what happens after you place an order.
Frequently asked questions
Is generic Cialis the same as branded Cialis?
Generic Cialis contains the same active ingredient, tadalafil, at the stated strength, and works in the same way. The inactive ingredients, appearance and packaging can differ between manufacturers.
How long does generic tadalafil last?
Tadalafil usually begins to work within 30 minutes to 2 hours and its effect can last for up to about 36 hours.
Is Vidalista the same as Tadacip?
Both contain tadalafil, but they come from different makers: Vidalista from Centurion Laboratories and Tadacip from Cipla. Tadacip 20 contains the licensed 20 mg dose, while Vidalista 40 and Vidalista Black 80 contain 40 mg and 80 mg, which are above the maximum licensed dose.
Is a 40 mg or 80 mg tadalafil tablet stronger or better?
These strengths contain more tadalafil, but they are not licensed doses in the US, UK or EU, and there is no licensed evidence that they work better than 20 mg. They may increase side effects. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg once a day. Take only what your prescriber has advised.
Can I take tadalafil every day?
Yes, a low daily dose of 2.5 mg or 5 mg is licensed for ED, and 5 mg daily is licensed for BPH. Daily dosing uses much lower strengths than on-demand dosing. Your doctor will decide whether daily or as-needed use suits you.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Read our full medical disclaimer.
Medicines mentioned in this guide
All medicines are supplied only against a valid prescription. Prices shown are for the smallest pack.
About this guide
Written by the rxptteam8. We base our guides on official sources such as the NHS, the US FDA, the EMA and MedlinePlus, and we update them when guidance changes. Last updated .