Which Tadalafil dosage is best for me?
Finding the right Tadalafil dosage, on a treatment plan tailored to you, can take time. One of the first questions to consider will be whether you feel Tfil or Efil will be best for your lifestyle.
Erectile dysfunction
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Tfil comes with a tadalafil dosage of 5mg, 10mg or 20mg. Efil contains a tadalafil dose of 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg.
If the initial dose isn’t right because of too many side effects or you’re not reaching your full potential, don’t worry. Speak with your doctor, with different doses available, they’ll help you find the one which works for you.
What Tfil and Efil dosages are there?
The Tfil dosages available are 5mg, 10mg or 20mg while Efil comes in 2.5mg, 5mg and 10mg dosages.
Which you choose depends on how well you respond to treatment and whether it suits your lifestyle. Different Tfil or Efil strengths have different amounts of the active ingredient: tadalafil.
Tfil 10mg or Efil 10mg are the doses most men will initially be prescribed. The majority of men will find that 10mg works well for them with 71% reporting they could achieve an erection suitable for sex.
Tfil 20mg is the highest dose. Your doctor may recommend it if you’re not responding to the standard starting dose of 10mg. In a study of over a thousand men treated with Tadalafil 20mg, 91% were satisfied with the outcome of their treatment.
Efil 2.5mg is the lowest dosage offered and the dose normally prescribed to be taken daily. If you’re not seeing the results you would like, your doctor may prescribe you an increased dose of 5mg. Equally, if you’re taking Tfil or Efil at the starting dose of 10mg but find you’re suffering too many adverse side effects they may discuss with you lowering your dose to 5mg.
Tfil is also used in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
So, if you’re over 40 years old and have noticed that you’re getting up more often at night to pass urine, or your urine stream is weaker than it used to be or you get some dribbling after passing urine, then Tfil can help that too. It’s also interesting to note that some of the traditional treatments for BPH, like tamsulosin or finasteride, can actually cause erection problems. If you’re taking BPH treatment, talk to our experts or your usual doctor about Tfil as it could be a suitable treatment.
Why are there different Tfil or Efil dosages for ED?
Different doses of Tfl or Efil offer you and your doctor flexibility. If you experience side effects these can be reduced with a lower dose. If you aren’t seeing the results you want, your dose can be increased.
It also means that more men are likely to find a medication that helps their ED symptoms but also minimises the risk of side effects.
How long do different Tadalafil dosages last?
Tfil will stay active in your body for up to 36 hours. Meaning once taken you have a 36-hour window where getting an erection will be easier. It does not mean you’ll have a prolonged erection and if you have an erection for four hours you should seek medical attention.
Efil will remain active in your body for around 24 hours. The most important difference between the two is that Efil offers the option for sex daily whilst Tfil is intended for occasional use.
Tfil or Efil?
As far as Efil vs on-demand, the answer depends on how you need Efil to work for you. If you want spontaneous sex, Efil is the better option.
However, if your ED comes and goes, you don’t want to take a tadalafil daily dose or aren’t sexually active more than three days a week, on-demand Tfil may be best.
Tfil 20mg
Tfil 20mg is the maximum dose of tadalafil. It’s unlikely you will be prescribed it when you first start treatment. If you’ve tried a 10mg Tfil dosage, you haven’t seen results you hoped for, and you didn’t have side effects, your doctor may consider prescribing the 20mg.
You might feel the higher the dose the better, but if you get easy, strong erections on 10mg a higher dose isn’t going to beat that. It will, however, increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor will evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the risk of side effects.
If you’re prescribed 20mg and find either that you’re experiencing too many side effects or are not seeing the results you want, speak with your doctor. They may suggest another type of ED pill or an alternative treatment. As 20mg is theTfil max dose there is no ‘Tfil 30mg’ or beyond and you should never take more than one tablet in any 24 hour period.
Is Cialis 20mg more effective?
No. Tadalafil 20mg is generic Cialis 20mg. This means that they both contain the same active ingredient in the same amount and should be equally as effective at treating ED.
The difference between the two will be the way the packaging and pills look, and the price. Generic Cialis is produced by a variety of different labs and, unbranded, the Tadalafil 20mg price is slightly less than what you may pay for Cialis.
Tfil or Efil 10mg
Known as the ‘standard dose’, Tfil 10mg or Efil 10mg is the initial dose of tadalafil prescribed when starting treatment.
Tadalafil 10mg is the generic equivalent and will be equally as effective. As it’s the unbranded version, the tadalafil 10mg price will be slightly cheaper.
The 10mg dose works for around 71% of men and has a lower risk of side effects than the 20mg dose.
Efil 2.5mg
If you’re starting treatment on a daily basis, you’ll normally be prescribed Efil 2.5mg. This is the lowest daily dose available.
Will all men start on Tadalafil 2.5mg or 10mg?
Most men, yes. To keep the risk of side effects low, your doctor will aim for the lowest dose possible to get the job done. The normal dose of tadalafil is 2.5mg or 10mg because these are good starting points to judge how your body responds to treatment.
If they don’t work well enough, your doctor may increase your dose to Tfil 20mg, or Efil 5mg if you’re daily dosing. Tadalafil 20mg (generic Cialis 20mg) will be prescribed if you were initially prescribed Tadalafil 10mg to be taken as needed.
If I get side effects taking tadalafil, what should I do?
If you experience side effects, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They’ll suggest either lowering your dose or recommend an alternative ED treatment.
To minimise the risk of side effects avoid grapefruit, drinking too much alcohol, and do not take more than one dose of tadalafil per day.
Efil 5mg
If you aren’t seeing the results you want on Efil 2.5mg, and don’t experience side effects, your doctor may recommend upping your dose to Efil 5mg daily. Tadalafil 5mg is the generic, unbranded version. It should be equally as effective at treating ED as Cialis.
Can I take 40mg of Tadalafil?
No. The maximum dose of Tfil is 20mg. There is no Tafil 40mg or Tadalafil 40mg available in India. A tadalafil dosage of 40mg is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, but this is under careful medical supervision.
Doses higher than 20mg have a higher risk of side effects and can dangerously affect blood pressure. One such side effect, priapism, is an erection that lasts more than 4 hours and requires immediate medical attention.
How can I be sure I’m using the right Tadalafil dosage?
At your consultation, make sure you give your doctor your full medical history. This will help them make the best initial decision about your erectile dysfunction treatment.
Once you begin treatment, keep an eye out for any side effects and let your doctor know if they occur. Whilst it’s important you give your prescribed dose a few tries, it should ultimately offer you the results you want. If this isn’t the case, again, let your doctor know.
What can I do to get the most out of my dose of Tadalafil?
Getting the best results when you take tadalafil is the end goal. Always follow the instructions in the leaflet or on the pack and any specific guidance given to you by your doctor.
If you’re taking tadalafil as needed, remember to give it enough time to work. Results aren’t instant, so aim for no less than 30 minutes before sex, longer if possible.
Avoiding mixing tadalafil with nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate or GTN spray. These cause a drop in blood pressure, which can be dangerous and never take double doses or split doses.
Your Tadalafil dose on subscription
If you want to take a deeper look into tadalafil and which dosage might suit you, you can start a consultation with one of our experts. Our experts are available to support you throughout the process so that you make the best choice for your health.
Reference Popover #ref1
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Carson, C., et al. 2004.The efficacy and safety of tadalafil: an update. BJU International, 93: 1276-1281.
The efficacy and safety of tadalafil: an update. BJU International, 93: 1276-1281.
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Roehrborn, C. G., et al. 2008.
Tadalafil administered once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A dose finding study. The Journal of Urology, 180(4), 1228-1234
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Treated trusted source
Coward, Robert M., Carson, Culley C. 2008.
Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. NCBI, Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008 Dec; 4(6): 1315–1330.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on November 22, 2022. Next review due on November 22, 2024.
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