Cialis Side Effects
Common Cialis (tadalafil) side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, and sometimes back or muscle ache. Like other PDE5 inhibitors, it must not be used with nitrates. Seek emergency care for chest pain, sudden vision or hearing changes, or an erection lasting more than four hours.
Written by Virantus Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by Virantus Clinical Team · Reviewed August 2026
Last updated August 2026
What people often notice
Headache, flushing, and indigestion are common with tadalafil (Cialis). Back or muscle ache is reported more often with tadalafil than with sildenafil for some men. Daily dosing spreads exposure across the week, which can change how side effects feel compared to as-needed use.
Report bothersome effects to your clinician. Do not adjust dose or schedule on your own.
Serious warning signs
Priapism (erection longer than four hours), sudden vision or hearing loss, and chest pain need urgent evaluation. Tell emergency clinicians if you took tadalafil recently.
Nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors must never be combined — the interaction can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
Daily vs as-needed side effects
Daily tadalafil and as-needed tadalafil share the same drug class precautions but may feel different in timing and intensity. A clinician helps you weigh spontaneity benefits against side-effect tolerance.
This page is educational — not prescribing guidance.
Common questions
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