The Fast Facts
- Cialis and its generic counterpart, tadalafil, are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications to treat erectile dysfunction.
- We looked at the telehealth platforms that offer this FDA-approved medication and narrowed our choices down to 6 trusted companies.
- Our favorite company is Hims, which offers generic Cialis starting from $1 per dose. Looking for fast shipping? Try Amazon One Medical.
The table below compares the above brands for buying Cialis online:
| Service | Price (branded) | Price (generic) | Consultation fee | Shipping | Insurance accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | $958 per month or $32 per dose | $40 per month, or roughly $1 per dose | free | not specified | no |
| Roman | starts at $20 per dose | starts at $8 per dose | free (in most cases, may vary) | 4 to 7 days | no |
| Plushcare | not disclosed | not disclosed | $129 if uninsured, or a copay if insured | not specified (pharmacy pickup) | yes, for subscription service |
| Rex MD | starts at $29 per dose | starts at $1.80 per dose | free | 4 to 5 business days | no |
| Optum | dependent on local pharmacy | dependent on local pharmacy | $39 initial consultation | not specified (pharmacy pickup) | no |
| Amazon One Medical | not disclosed | from $23.90 (per 90 days) | starts at $29 (pay per visit), or $9 a month (for members) | 1 to 2 days, same-day delivery for some areas | yes, including Medicare |
Medical News Today chooses Cialis retailers that meet the following criteria:
- Company reputation: MNT only features brands that have undergone our internal vetting of medical and business standards. We choose reputable and reliable brands with positive reviews and transparent business practices.
- Product transparency: MNT only features retailers that clearly state the ingredients, side effects, and recommended dosage of Cialis.
- 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 chooses brands offering both brand-name and generic Cialis to suit a range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT selects Cialis retailers with robust privacy and data protection policies.
- Discretion: MNT chooses brands that send its Cialis in discreet packaging.
Interested in how we pick ED services online? Check out our vetting process.
Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, a class of medications that can help treat enlarged prostate and erectile dysfunction (ED).
The generic version, tadalafil, contains the same active ingredient. As tadalafil is not branded, it is more affordable. However, some insurance companies may only cover branded Cialis.
For ED, a person should take this medication at least 30 minutes before engaging in sexual activity. It is taken orally with or without food, either as needed (10 to 20 mg before sex) or daily (2.5 to 5 mg at the same time each day).
Both Cialis and tadalafil are prescription-only medications. This means that you cannot buy them unless you have a valid prescription from a doctor. Any online or in-person pharmacy that offers these drugs for sale without a prescription is not reputable.
To buy Cialis online, most legitimate telehealth platforms require a person to create an account on their website. Depending on the provider, a person may need to pay a one-time consultation fee or sign up for a monthly subscription.
Typically, a person will be asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their:
- basic personal information, such as age and sex
- current health conditions
- medication and supplements they’re taking
- ED symptoms and health concerns
Some platforms allow individuals to indicate a preference for Cialis or generic tadalafil. A licensed healthcare professional then reviews a person’s information and may ask additional follow-up questions.
The consultation usually takes place online, either via a secure message system, a phone call, or a video visit. If the healthcare professional determines that Cialis is appropriate, they will issue a prescription.
Many online services ship Cialis or tadalafil directly to a person’s home in discreet packaging. Some platforms also offer same-day or next-day pickup at a local pharmacy, depending on availability.
Shopping safely for Cialis online
When buying Cilais online, it’s essential to use a reputable source.
Avoid companies that offer Cialis without a prescription or access to licensed healthcare professionals, as these often sell counterfeit or unsafe products. Such medications may lack FDA-approved ingredients, contain incorrect or harmful doses, or include undisclosed drugs.
Other
Medical Perspective“Patients often forget that counterfeit products are common online, and untreated heart conditions or medication interactions can make ED drugs dangerous without proper medical screening.”
— Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH
Learn more about how to buy ED pills online safely.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
The cost of Cialis can vary widely depending on where and how a person purchases it, their treatment plan, and whether they have insurance coverage.
Online services that require a prescription often offer lower prices, especially for generic tadalafil. These services may include the consultation fee in the price and offer home delivery.
In terms of retail pharmacies, according to Optum Perks, the price for thirty 5-mg Cialis tablets starts at $292:
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
- Walmart: $292
- Target (CVS): $321
- CVS Pharmacy: $321
- Walgreens: $296
However, higher doses are more expensive.
Cialis is considerably more expensive than its generic version, tadalafil. Despite containing the same active ingredient, the cost difference is largely due to the brand name’s market recognition, research and development costs, and marketing expenses. Branded drugs, such as Cialis, are also afforded patent protections that give the manufacturer exclusive rights for a set time, preventing generic alternatives from being produced or sold.
Optum offers valid coupons at the above pharmacies and many other independent stores. Customers can redeem the coupons online by visiting the company’s website.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Cialis is a yellow, almond-shaped tablet imprinted with a “C,” followed by the strength of the pill. Depending on which strength a doctor has prescribed, you will receive tablets with C5, C10, or C20 printed on them.
Tadalafil, on the other hand, does not have a typical appearance. Depending on the brand the pharmacist gives you, you may receive a round, oval, oblong, or almond-shaped tablet.
Some tablets will have a “T” followed by the strength of the pill, such as T5, T10, or T20. Others may have letters followed by numbers.
If you are unsure whether your pill looks like it should, a pharmacist can check for you.
Besides ED, healthcare professionals may recommend Cialis or other PDE5 inhibitors for the following conditions:
- idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH)
- premature ejaculation alongside ED
- high altitude sickness
- penile rehabilitation after radical prostatectomy
- lower urinary tract symptoms
People can take 1 tablet before engaging in sexual activity. They can do so 30 minutes before.
Both generic and branded Cialis are genuine forms of Cialis. Generic versions of drugs are as effective as their branded counterparts, as they contain the same active ingredients at the same doses. However, their prices vary greatly.
Viagra and Cialis are both PDE5 inhibitors, which means they work in similar ways to help people have and maintain erections.
However, Cialis tends to last longer in the body. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), Cialis can last up to 36 hours, whereas alternatives last around 4 hours.
Cialis can cause mild side effects, such as headache, blurry vision, and ringing in the ears.
More severe side effects include:
- vision loss
- a sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, which is known as priapism
- breathing difficulties
The risk of side effects increases if a person takes a higher dose than a doctor has prescribed.
A person should contact a healthcare professional if they experience any side effects, as there might be alternatives they can use.
Cialis can only be purchased online with a valid prescription from a licensed medical professional.
Doctors may prescribe Cialis to adults who have erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia. A person needs to consult a medical professional if they experience symptoms of either condition.
Various online pharmacies offer Cialis. If you do not already have a prescription, you need to have an online consultation with a licensed doctor.
You can tell whether an online pharmacy is legitimate if it requires a prescription to dispense medication, has a valid United States-based address and phone number, and is licensed with the state board of pharmacy.