Cialis is a brand-name version of tadalafil, a popular medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking the medication helps you get the maximum effect while avoiding side effects.
Reasons not to take 40 milligrams (mg) of Cialis include how the drug works and its duration. Increasing the dose could result in side effects.
If you feel your current dosage isn’t working, there may be options to consider. Let’s look at Cialis, why to avoid taking too much, and more.
Taking 40 mg of Cialis could be dangerous and raise the risk of side effects such as a sudden drop in blood pressure and priapism. The typical dose is 10 mg for occasional use and 2.5 or 5 mg for daily use. The typical maximum dose of Cialis for ED is 20 mg once a day.
If a doctor has prescribed Cialis for pulmonary arterial hypertension, you may be advised to take two 20-mg doses a day. But taking that much of the medication should be done only under a doctor’s guidance.
It changes more than your penis
While Cialis works for ED by affecting the PDE5 enzyme in the penis, it also affects other PDE enzymes in tissues and cells in other areas of the body. For example, PDE5 is found in tissues in the lungs, kidneys, liver, brain, and platelets.
Cialis also affects PDE11, which is found in tissues in the heart, pancreas, pituitary, skeletal muscles, testes, and corpus cavernosum.
It increases your chances of side effects
Doubling the maximum dose of Cialis to 40 mg can increase the chances of experiencing side effects, which include:
- headaches
- flushing
- dizziness
- back pain
- vision and hearing changes
It may also cause priapism, an erection lasting longer than 4 hours, damaging the penile tissue. An urgent medical evaluation is needed to prevent long-term damage if this occurs.
It’s in your system for a while and clears slowly
Another reason not to double your dose is the long lasting effects of Cialis.
The effects of Cialis last much longer (up to 36 hours) than other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra (4 to 5 hours). So, Cialis stays in your body and clears slowly. This can increase the risk of side effects if you add doses on top of what’s already in your system.
How does Cialis work?
Cialis is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It limits the effect of the PDE5 enzyme in the penis, allowing blood vessels in your penis to relax so blood can flow into the penis, helping to get or keep an erection. Keep in mind that Cialis won’t work unless you’re stimulated or aroused.
Cialis, a brand-name version of tadalafil, is available by prescription in tablet form in four strengths:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
The dose of Cialis for ED depends on your age and if you’re taking it once daily (lower dose) or as needed (higher dose).
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dosing guidelines for ED symptoms, the recommended dose for Cialis once daily is 2.5 mg to start and may be increased to 5 mg if needed.
The recommended dose for as-needed Cialis is 10 mg and may be adjusted up or down to a maximum of 20 mg.
Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis. It’s part of a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and is prescribed for the following conditions:
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
Tadalafil treats ED by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal.
What is the benefit of tadalafil?
Tadalafil is unique compared with other PDE5 inhibitors because it can be taken either once daily at a lower dose or as needed at least 30 minutes before sexual activity.
This lets you choose which dosing suits your lifestyle needs best.
On average, Cialis starts to work in about 30 minutes and can take up to 2 hours to take effect.
How well a medication works depends on the individual and can vary from person to person.
Don’t be discouraged if Cialis doesn’t work right away. If you’re nervous or anxious, this affects your arousal and ability to get or keep an erection.
Talk with a doctor about your experience with Cialis to see whether a dose increase or switching to a different ED medication would work better.
- Try different timing if you take it as needed. You may need to take Cialis a few times for you to figure out the best timing for as-needed dosing. Don’t take more than one dose in a day.
- Be consistent for daily use. Some people prefer the daily dose because it allows small amounts of Cialis to always be in your bloodstream, so you can have flexibility with sexual activity. For the daily dose, try to take it at the same time every day.
Cialis can last up to 36 hours in the body but may last up to 72 hours in some cases. How long it lasts can vary.
Your age, genetics, and if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease all affect how the drug works and how long Cialis stays in your body. You may need dose adjustments to avoid side effects.
The dosage of Cialis and how it’s prescribed for you depends on:
- your overall health
- your age and lifestyle
- other medications you’re taking
- other conditions you may have like diabetes or high blood pressure
If you have heart, kidney, or liver disease, it’s important to discuss your ED treatment options with a doctor. You may need a lower dose of Cialis to avoid side effects.
WarningDo not take Cialis with nitrate class angina medications or alpha blocker medications. They can cause a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.
Some tips when taking Cialis:
- avoid excess alcohol because it can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting
- avoid grapefruit juice with Cialis, as it interacts with the medication
- take the medication as prescribed by your doctor
- ask a pharmacist about interactions with other medications
Lifestyle tips to improve ED symptoms:
- try to lower stress and anxiety
- increase your physical activity and eat a healthy diet
- communicate with your partner about your concerns
- consider professional counseling or sex therapy
Upping your dose of Cialis increases your chances of serious side effects and damage, including:
- low blood pressure (a higher dose may increase the risk of dizziness and fainting)
- chest pain
- confusion
- difficulty speaking or breathing
- priapism (a higher dose may increase this risk due to the longer effect of Cialis)
- sudden change or loss of vision or hearing
Call your doctor if you feel you’re experiencing serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you experience an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
Some common side effects of Cialis include:
- muscle pain and back pain (higher doses may increase the risk of these effects)
- limb pain
- headache
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- indigestion
- flushing
- stuffy or runny nose
Allergic reactionIf you feel you’re experiencing an allergic reaction to Cialis (face or tongue swelling, rash, difficulty breathing or swallowing) or a medical emergency, seek immediate medical attention or call 911.
Cialis is one of the most popular ED medications sold worldwide. Unfortunately, it’s also very common to find Cialis and other ED medications sold online without a prescription through fake pharmacies and other suspect online portals.
Buying prescription medications online through fake sites can jeopardize your health but may also compromise your data and privacy.
Fake products are designed to look exactly like the genuine prescription but may be contaminated, have more or less than the listed strength or dose, be expired, have harmful ingredients, and harm your health.
You can’t tell what’s in these products just by looking.
So, what can you do?
The best way to learn more about ED is to make an appointment with a doctor. They can diagnose the problem and offer a prescription if needed.
Telehealth options, (sometimes covered by insurance, including Medicare plans) such as over the phone, online services, and telemedicine apps are available to connect you with a doctor.
Occasional episodes of ED are typical and could be due to causes such as work stress, relationship troubles, or excessive alcohol consumption. But if you are experiencing ED at least 25 percent of the time, you should talk with a doctor. You should also discuss any minor changes in your erections or libido. Addressing signs of trouble early could help avoid frustrating sexual encounters in the near term or may lead to an early diagnosis of a condition such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes — two common causes of ED, especially in younger individuals.
What will happen if I take 40mg of Cialis?
While you may experience no side effects or complications from taking 40 mg of Cialis, you do run the risk of problems such as a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can, in turn, lead to fainting and a possible injury from a fall.
Taking too much Cialis also means any side effects you experience, such as headaches, priapism, and leg or back pain, are more likely to last longer than side effects accompanying a standard dose.
What is the maximum amount of Cialis I can take?
Cialis is a prescription medication, and you should take only the prescribed amount. The dose may be 10 or 20 mg for occasional use before sexual activity or 2.5 or 5 mg for ongoing daily use. If you find that the prescribed dose isn’t effective or is causing unwanted side effects, talk with your doctor about changing the dose or trying a different type of ED treatment.
Can you take too much tadalafil?
Like any medication, tadalafil can be problematic or even dangerous if you take too much. The medication is designed to significantly impact your circulation, so taking too much may cause severe reactions that negatively affect your sexual health and blood flow throughout the body.
If the Cialis dose your doctor prescribed doesn’t seem to be helping, don’t double your dose to 40 mg on your own. This could increase the risks of serious adverse reactions or side effects.
Make an appointment to talk with a doctor about possible causes and alternative treatment options, including other PDE5 inhibitors, medications, and lifestyle changes that might help.
It’s important to discuss your sexual history, medications you’re taking, and your overall health and concerns about ED with a doctor.