If you’re looking at treatment options for erectile dysfunction (ED), you may want to learn more about Cialis and its cost. It’s a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of ED and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or both ED and BPH, in adult males.*

Cialis comes as a tablet you swallow. It contains the active ingredient tadalafil. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Keep reading for details on Cialis and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Cialis, see this in-depth article.

* In this article, we use “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. To learn more about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The price you pay for Cialis can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Cialis, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Cialis. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Cialis in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Cialis requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company if Cialis requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cialis and cost.

Is the price for Cialis 20-mg tablets more than for lower doses of the drug?

Cialis comes in several different strengths, including:

  • 2.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 5 mg
  • 10 mg
  • 20 mg

The cost for these different strengths depends on whether you have insurance, your individual plan coverage, and your treatment plan.

For example, Cialis for erectile dysfunction (ED) may be taken daily or as needed. If you’re taking Cialis 2.5 mg daily for ED versus 20 mg as needed before sexual activity, your cost may be different depending on how often you take the drug.

If you have questions about the cost of Cialis based on your treatment plan, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. They can tell you the exact cost of Cialis based on your individual situation.

How much does Cialis cost with insurance?

The cost of Cialis with insurance depends on the strength of the drug you’re prescribed, your insurance provider, and your treatment plan.

Some plans have set copayments (your share of the cost) for brand name and generic drugs. Other plans may require you to pay a percentage of the cost of the drug.

Your cost may also depend on the strength and quantity of Cialis you take, based on your treatment plan.

You can reach out to your insurance provider and ask them what you’ll pay for your Cialis prescription.

Keep in mind that some insurance companies may require prior authorization before they approve Cialis. Your insurance provider, doctor, or pharmacist can tell you more about these requirements.

Cialis is available as the generic drug tadalafil. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication and is considered just as safe and effective.

Tadalafil (generic Cialis) may cost less than brand-name Cialis. (Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.) The price you pay for generic Cialis also depends on your treatment plan, if you have insurance or are paying out of pocket, and in some cases, even the pharmacy you choose.

To find out how the costs of Cialis and tadalafil compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Cialis and you’re interested in taking tadalafil instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Cialis long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Cialis if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Cialis. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Cialis. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Cialis or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have further questions about the cost of Cialis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’ll pay.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Would my Cialis cost be different if I take it as needed versus daily?
  • Would I need prior authorization to cover the cost of generic Cialis?
  • Does the cost of Cialis change if I’m taking it for erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.