Tadalafil comes in four strengths, and which one you're prescribed depends mostly on how you plan to take it. The usual starting dose for on-demand use is 10mg, taken before sex. For daily use it's 5mg, taken at around the same time each day.
The maximum is 20mg in any 24- hour period, and this is only for on-demand treatment.
This guide explains what each strength is for, how the two doses differ, and what to do if your current dose isn't giving you the results you expected.
What tadalafil doses are available?
Tadalafil tablets come in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg. You may see the same strengths sold as Cialis, which is the original brand name with the same active ingredient, same doses, just in a different packet. Our guide to tadalafil vs Cialis explains the difference in more detail.
The strength you need depends on your dosing pattern rather than on how severe your ED is. Your options include:
Tadalafil 2.5mg – the lower of the two daily doses. It's usually prescribed if 5mg daily causes side effects that don't settle.
Tadalafil 5mg – the standard daily dose. Taken every day rather than before sex, it keeps a steady low level of the medicine in your system.
Tadalafil 10mg – the usual starting dose for on-demand use, taken before sex rather than every day.
Tadalafil 20mg – the higher on-demand dose, prescribed when 10mg hasn't produced an adequate effect.
It is worth noting that the 20mg tablet is a higher dose, but it isn't automatically better. It's used when 10mg hasn't worked well enough.
What is the usual tadalafil dose for erectile dysfunction?
There are two ways to take tadalafil, and the dose follows from which one you're on.
On-demand tadalafil dosage
The recommended starting dose is 10mg, taken before you expect to have sex. You can take it with or without food.
If 10mg doesn't give you an adequate response, your prescriber may try 20mg. If side effects are the problem, a lower dose may suit you better. Either way, this is a conversation to have with your prescriber rather than a change to make yourself.
Timing matters more than most people expect, and we've covered it separately in our guide to how to take tadalafil.
Daily tadalafil dosage
Daily tadalafil is a lower dose of the same medicine, taken every day at roughly the same time, whether or not you're planning to have sex. The recommended dose is 5mg once a day. If that causes side effects you can't tolerate, it may be reduced to 2.5mg.
It's generally considered when someone expects to use tadalafil frequently, at least twice a week. Taking it daily means the medicine is already in your system, so sex doesn't have to be planned around a tablet. Our guide on daily tadalafil covers who the daily version suits and why.
Daily tadalafil takes around five days of consistent dosing to reach a steady level in your body, so don't judge it on the first couple of days.
What is the maximum dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction?
The maximum dose of tadalafil in 24 hours is 20mg, and that applies to on-demand treatment only. Never take more than one dose in a day, even if the first doesn't seem to have worked.
For daily treatment, the maximum is 5mg. This catches people out, so it's worth being clear: you should not take 20mg of tadalafil daily. The 10mg and 20mg tablets aren't intended for continuous daily use. If you're on the daily regimen and it isn't working you should speak to your prescriber about this.
Some men also need a lower maximum than the standard one. If you have significant kidney problems, your prescriber may cap your dose at 10mg and advise against the daily regimen entirely. This is one of several reasons a proper consultation matters before you start.
Is daily or on-demand tadalafil better?
Neither is better, but one may be better suited to you than the other. Here’s a quick breakdown:
On-demand | Daily | |
|---|---|---|
Typical dose | 10mg or 20mg | 5mg (or 2.5mg) |
When you take it | Before sex, maximum once in 24 hours | Every day, around the same time |
Best suited for | Sex is less frequent, or you'd rather only take medicine when you need it | You expect to use it at least twice a week, or you'd rather not plan around a tablet |
Things to consider | On-demand tadalafil doses require a bit of forward planning | You’ll need to take a tablet every day, which costs more and means taking more medicine overall |
What if my tadalafil dose isn't working?
Before assuming the dose is wrong, it's worth ruling out a few things that are far more common.
Tadalafil needs sexual stimulation to work. It doesn't produce an erection on its own, and men who don't realise this sometimes conclude the tablet has failed when it hasn't. Timing matters too, so it’s important to take at least 30 minutes before having sex.
Sometimes, anxiety about whether it'll work can itself get in the way on a first attempt. This is why many prescribers suggest trying a dose several times before deciding it isn't right.
If you feel you’ve already given it a go and you're still not getting the results you want, speak to your prescriber. They might increase your dose, move you between daily and on-demand, or look at whether something else is contributing. What they won't suggest is doubling up on your own. Taking more than the maximum raises your risk of side effects without making the medicine work any better.
Do tadalafil side effects vary by dose?
To an extent, yes. Headaches, indigestion, back pain and muscle aches all become more likely as the dose goes up, which is why tadalafil 20mg side effects tend to be reported a bit more often than tadalafil 5mg side effects.
That said, side effects can happen on any dose, including daily 2.5mg. Our tadalafil side effects guide covers what to expect and when something needs checking.
Which tadalafil dose is right for me?
There's no dose that's right for everyone. It depends on how often you want to use it, how well you respond, how you tolerate side effects, and what else you take or have been treated for. Most men start with 10mg as needed and adjust from there, while some may start with 5mg daily.
Start an ED consultation with Quick Meds
Not sure which dose or regimen fits? Start your online ED consultation and our prescribing team will review your medical history, current medicines and how often you expect to use treatment before recommending a dose.
