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Cialis is a brand-name medication with approval to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual health conditions in males. It is available from some online telehealth companies but requires a prescription.
This article explores Cialis in more detail and lists some online retailers that offer this drug. It also looks at some safety considerations, frequently asked questions, and when to speak with a doctor for erectile dysfunction.
- Best affordable Cialis: Roman | Skip to Review
- Best subscription with free consultations: Hims | Skip to Review
- Best for insurance coverage: Lemonaid | Skip to Review
- Best for affordability: Optum | Skip to Review
- Best for discreet packaging: K Health | Skip to Review
Cialis is a medication that doctors may prescribe to people who have difficulty maintaining an erection.
Its main ingredient is tadalafil, which helps increase blood flow to the penis to cause an erection.
Tadalafil tablets are available with a prescription. People can take them with or without food.
Dosage may vary from person to person. If a person experiences side effects such as dizziness, headaches, and a rapid heartbeat, they should inform their doctor and stop taking Cialis immediately.
Viagra is another brand of medication that can treat erectile dysfunction. It contains sildenafil, whereas Cialis contains tadalafil.
FDA approval
Both Cialis and Viagra belong to a group of medications that experts call phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These include sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil, which have Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Side effects
Tadalafil, or Cialis, does not usually cause significant side effects. However, some people may develop mild side effects, including:
Cialis may not be suitable for people with chest pain who take nitrates, as combining the two medications can lower blood pressure to a dangerous level.
People who take Viagra or sildenafil
- headaches
- flushing
- nasal congestion
- back pain
- nausea
- dizziness
- skin rash
Available forms and administration
Viagra and Cialis are both available as tablets.
People may take tadalafil as needed before engaging in sexual activity.
People can take sildenafil
Medical News Today chooses ED products that meet the following criteria:
- Company reputation: MNT selects products from brands that have undergone internal vetting of medical and business standards. The brands we choose are reputable and reliable, with positive reviews and transparent business practices.
- Product transparency: MNT selects products that state ingredients, side effects, and recommended dosage clearly.
- Safety: MNT selects brands that require a doctor’s prescription before customers can order Cialis. This ensures that a person can safely take Cialis and that the provider is responsible.
- Price:MNT selects products that suit a range of budgets, including choosing brands that offer both brand-name and generic Cialis.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best affordable Cialis: Roman
Roman sells the following versions of Cialis:
- Generic: available in tablets of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 milligrams (mg), starting from $11
- Daily Generic: available in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg at $8
- Branded Cialis: available in doses of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg, starting from $17
- Daily branded Cialis: available in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg, costing $13
The company requires people to have an online consultation with a doctor before issuing a prescription. The consultation costs $15 and is currently available to people in the United States.
If the doctor thinks the medication is not suitable for the person and they do not issue a prescription, the customer will receive a full refund. Please note that there is no insurance coverage for consultations.
Roman also offers free 2-day shipping and follow-up visits.
Pros
- refunds when prescriptions do not apply
- free shipping
- free follow-up visits
- option to cancel a subscription at any time
Cons
- only available to U.S. residents
- possible shipping delays
Best subscription with free consultations: Hims
Hims sells both the brand-name and generic form of Cialis in a 5 mg dose that people can take once daily, with or without food.
People who wish to use Hims’ services must complete a questionnaire about their medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. The company will connect them with a qualified healthcare professional in the same state.
At Hims, Cialis is available as:
- Daily generic: 2.5 or 5 mg daily pill.
- Generic: 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg, taken as needed
- Branded Cialis: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg, taken as needed
The cost of the medication is $570 per month for branded Cialis and $240 per month for generic tadalafil
Online consultations are free of charge.
Insurance does not cover product fees, but the prices are 50–80% less than the retail cost.
Pros
- free online consultations
- response within 24 hours
- different products available for men
- works with fully-licensed doctors
Cons
- insurance coverage may not be possible
- requires people to upload a photo ID and enter their personal information
Best for insurance coverage: Lemonaid
Lemonaid sells Cialis in these forms:
- As needed: available in doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg, starting at $65 per tablet
- Daily: 5 mg tablet with brand pricing starting from $50 per tablet
- Generic tadalafil: 20 mg tablet starting at $2 per tablet and higher doses starting at $25 per tablet
To obtain tadalafil from Lemonaid, a person fills out a private online assessment, giving details about their medical history and other medications they are taking.
Once they fill out this information, a doctor or nurse will contact them within 24 hours. Some states require a video chat, while others require a short phone call.
These consultations usually cost around $25, covering the prescription, not the medication. The company also needs a blood pressure reading. A person can obtain a blood pressure measurement by using a machine at a nearby pharmacy or an at-home reader.
Insurance does not cover the cost of medical consultation. However, it may cover the cost of the medication. A person can contact their insurance provider for more information about coverage.
Pros
- possible insurance coverage for medications
- the medical team gets in touch with users within 24 hours
- discreet packaging and free shipping
Cons
- no insurance coverage for consultations
- requires in-person blood pressure reading test
Best for affordability: Optum
Optum Store offers several ED medications with free and discreet shipping.
The company sells generic tadalafil in 5, 10, and 20 mg doses. People can choose from a 30, 90, or 180-day supply, with each bottle containing enough for up to six daily doses.
The Optum Store also sells branded Cialis in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg doses. People can choose from a 30 or 90-day supply, with each bottle containing enough for up to six daily doses.
To order from the website, a person must fill out an online questionnaire on the website. People must submit a recent photo and blood pressure reading.
Optum Store’s team of pharmacists and accredited medical professionals will then review the results within 24 to 48 hours and provide a prescription if they deem it suitable.
The Optum Store does not accept insurance but does accept FSA and HSA payments.
Optum Store offers tadalafil from $7 per dose. Cialis starts from $17 per dose.
Pros
- offers a range of ED medications
- offers competitive prices for tadalafil and Cialis
- people can access the company’s team of pharmacists and medical professionals at any time
- people can receive a prescription online
Cons
- Optum Store does not accept insurance
- shipping takes five business days, which may be longer than some competitors
- requires a photo ID and recent blood pressure reading
Best for discreet packaging: K Health
K Health offers medical consultations and prescription medications online. A person can use the website or app to book online appointments with doctors and manage their prescriptions.
K Health offers generic Cialis in doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg, starting at $1.80 per 10-mg dose.
According to the company’s website, a person must complete an online assessment before matching with a doctor.
K Health does not take insurance. The service costs $35 per doctor’s appointment or $49 for unlimited consultations. However, these fees only cover the appointment, not the prescription.
K Health doctors are reportedly available 24-7.
Pros
- doctors are available any time
- suitable for persons without insurance
- unlimited chat messaging
Cons
- may not be appropriate for all health conditions
- does not work with any health insurance providers
The table below compares the above brands for buying Cialis online:
| Price | Consultation fee | Shipping | Insurance accepted? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman | generic: from $8 branded as needed: from $17 branded daily: $13 | $15 | 2 days | no |
| Hims | generic: $240 per month branded: $570 per month | free | 5–7 business days | no |
| Lemonaid | generic: between $2 and $25 per tablet branded as needed: $65 per tablet branded daily: $50 per tablet | around $25 | 2–3 business days | yes, but it sends prescriptions to a local pharmacy |
| Optum | generic: from $7 per dose branded: from $17 per dose | first consultation is free and $15 per subsequent visit | 5 business days | no |
| K Health | $1.80 per 10 mg dose | $35 per appointment or $49 for unlimited consultations | 5–7 business days | no |
The price of Cialis varies considerably depending on which pharmacy a person uses.
The following table provides an overview of the prices of generic Cialis.
| Kroger | $8.25 |
|---|---|
| Meijer | $8.25 |
| Genoa Healthcare | $12.42 |
| Walmart | $13.38 |
| Optum Store | $15 |
| Target (CVS) | $88 |
| CVS Pharmacy | $88 |
| Walgreens | $95.87 |
Branded Cialis is considerably more expensive, starting from $352.
Optum offers coupons that are valid at the above pharmacies and many other independent stores. People can visit the company’s website and redeem the coupons online.
A person considering generic or branded Cialis must consult with a medical professional to determine the best version and dosage for them, and receive a prescription.
They may wish to research the company to ensure it conducts itself ethically and sells quality products.
Cialis is available in tablet form that people can take with or without food.
People with erectile dysfunction should take this medication at least 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activity. They can also take it once daily. People should not take more than one tablet within 24 hours.
An on-demand dose is 10 or 20 mg, while a daily dose is 2.5 or 5 mg.
People should always follow a doctor’s instructions when taking this type of medication. A doctor may recommend increasing or decreasing the dose depending on how the person’s body responds to treatment.
In addition, people should take Cialis around the same time every day. Daily dosing may suit people who have frequent sexual intercourse or prefer more spontaneity.
People who experience regular symptoms of erectile dysfunction should contact a doctor to discuss treatment options.
Some symptoms include:
- getting occasional erections but not before having sex
- difficulty keeping an erection
- not being able to get an erection
When taking Cialis, a person should consult a doctor or seek emergency medical treatment if they develop any of the following symptoms:
- blurry vision
- vision loss
- a sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- ringing in the ears
- an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours
- dizziness
- chest pain
- hives
- a rash
- breathing difficulties
- swallowing difficulties
- blistering skin or peeling skin
- swelling
The following are some frequently asked questions about Cialis:
How to get Cialis or tadalafil online?
A person can purchase branded or generic tadalafil online from a reputable telehealth provider. The process typically involves filling out an online assessment, a virtual consultation, and prescription delivery.
Is it safe to buy Cialis online?
The
According to the FDA, online pharmacies are likely safe if they:
- require a doctor’s prescription
- have headquarters in the U.S. and provide a physical address and telephone number within the country
- work with licensed pharmacists or physicians
- have a license with the state board of pharmacy
Can people buy Cialis over the counter?
Cialis is only available with a prescription. Some online pharmacies can provide prescriptions if the customer does not already have one.
Can people get Cialis without visiting a doctor?
A person does not need to consult a doctor in person to get a Cialis prescription. However, they will still need to consult with a doctor when using telemedicine services to receive a prescription.
Do you need a prescription for Cialis?
Cialis is only available with a prescription.
How do I make sure I get genuine Cialis?
Make sure that the company meets the following criteria:
- It has positive reviews.
- It works with licensed doctors.
- It offers doctor consultations.
- It can legally issue prescriptions.
Various online pharmacies offer Cialis. A person will need an online consultation with a licensed doctor if they do not already have a prescription.
A person can tell if an online pharmacy is legitimate if it requires a prescription to dispense medication, has a valid, U.S.-based address and phone number, and has a license with the state board of pharmacy.