Cialis Price In The UK: Costs, Generics And How To Compare

How much Cialis costs in the UK

Cialis costs in the UK vary by brand, strength, pack size and whether the medication is taken daily or on demand. For readers searching “erectile dysfunction Cialis” prices, this guide compares current private prices, NHS prescribing, daily and on-demand treatment costs, tadalafil and Viagra. Prices were checked at Apomeds on 26 August 2026.

Cialis contains the active ingredient tadalafil, a PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men. Generic versions of tadalafil are commonly marketed under the active ingredient name rather than the Cialis brand name.

It relaxes blood vessels, helping blood flow to the penis when a man is sexually aroused; sexual stimulation is still needed for an erection. Cialis is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg strengths. An on-demand dose can remain active for up to 36 hours, which is why Cialis tadalafil is often called the “weekend pill”. [1]

Option	Apomeds starting price	Typical use
Cialis Daily 5 mg	£2.34 per tablet	Daily
Cialis 10 mg	£8.68 per tablet	On demand
Cialis 20 mg	£8.28 per tablet	On demand
Tadalafil (daily) 5 mg	£0.27 per tablet	Daily
Tadalafil 10 mg	£0.69 per tablet	On demand
Tadalafil 20 mg	£0.51 per tablet	On demand

These medication prices are starting prices, generally linked to larger pack size. For ED treatment, compare the full cost and price per tablet. If you want to buy Cialis, compare the same strength and quantity before you take Cialis or change treatment.

Cialis 5 mg price (daily)

At the current Cialis 5mg price of £2.34 per tablet, 30 days would cost about £70.20, although Apomeds lists branded Cialis Daily in 28- and 84-tablet packs rather than an exact 30-tablet treatment pack.

For erectile dysfunction, the licensed daily dose is 5 mg once daily at approximately the same time, with the option to reduce to 2.5 mg according to tolerability. The 2.5mg and 5mg strengths are lower dose options for daily use rather than taking 10mg or 20mg before sex. [1] 

The 2.5mg and 5mg Cialis tadalafil options should only be used as directed when you take Cialis. With Cialis Daily, a continuous level of tadalafil exposure means treatment does not have to be timed around each episode of sexual activity.

The Cialis Daily price can look higher because you take Cialis every day. Saying it “works continuously” means ongoing tadalafil exposure, not a continuous erection. Sexual stimulation is still required; an erection does not last 24 or 36 hours or a whole weekend.

Cialis 10 mg price

The Cialis 10mg price currently starts from £8.68 per tablet at Apomeds. This is the usual starting dose when Cialis is taken on demand for erectile dysfunction. The tablet can be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. Do not take more than one tablet, or one dose, of Cialis in 24 hours. [1]

If you take Cialis 10 mg, the medication can support an erection when sexually aroused for up to 36 hours by supporting blood flow. That does not mean the erection lasts for 36 hours; the Cialis work window can remain active across that period. Monthly spend therefore depends mainly on how often you take Cialis.

Cialis 20 mg price

The Cialis 20mg price in UK searches can be confusing: Apomeds currently lists 20 mg from £8.28 per tablet, slightly below the 10 mg starting price.

A 20 mg dose may be considered when 10 mg does not produce an adequate effect. It is an on-demand higher dose and is not recommended for continuous daily use. [1] If you take Cialis 20 mg, it works in the same way: the effect may remain active for up to 36 hours when sexual stimulation occurs. Compare the same pack size where possible rather than assuming dose alone determines cost.

What affects the Cialis price

   

Several factors change the price of Cialis: pack size, dose, frequency of use, brand choice, dispensing route and whether a private prescription or NHS prescription is involved. This explains why providers can show different figures for the same erectile dysfunction medication.

Pack size and cost per tablet

Larger size packs generally reduce the cost per tablet. Current Apomeds listings for branded Cialis 10mg or 20mg offer 4, 8, 12, 24, 36 and 48 tablets, while Cialis Daily 5 mg is listed in 28- and 84-tablet packs. The lowest advertised per-tablet price may not apply to a four-tablet pack.

A larger pack can reduce the price per dose, but do not increase your dose or quantity simply to cut cost. The correctCialis dosage and treatment should follow clinical assessment.

Strength and how you take it

Cialis tadalafil can be used on demand or daily. On-demand Cialis tablets used to treat erectile dysfunction are normally 10mg or 20mg, while 2.5mg and 5mg are lower dose strengths used for daily treatment, with a lower dose chosen where appropriate. [1] “Normal Cialis” is an informal phrase rather than an official product category; it generally refers to on-demand Cialis 10mg or 20mg rather than the daily 2.5mg and 5mg regimen.

A person taking a 10 mg tablet four times monthly buys far fewer Cialis tablets than someone taking 5 mg daily, while frequent on-demand use narrows that difference. Because Cialis can work for up to 36 hours, its window is longer than with some other ED treatments, but how often you take Cialis should follow the prescribed or pharmacist-approved treatment regimen.

Brand Cialis vs Generic Cialis (tadalafil)

Brand Cialis and generic Cialis contain the same active ingredient, tadalafil. UK generic medicines must have the same active substance and pharmaceutical form and demonstrate bioequivalence to the reference medication. [2] This allows generic medicines to be authorised to treat ED without repeating the full development programme.

Generic medicines are sometimes described as “medically identical”, but the term is imperfect. The active ingredient tadalafil and expected clinical effect are equivalent, while manufacturer, tablet appearance and inactive ingredients can differ. Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis, but the products are not literally identical in every component.

For men suffering from erectile dysfunction, demonstrated bioequivalence supports the expectation that licensed tadalafil generics will be equally effective as branded Cialis at an equivalent dose. The price difference can nevertheless be substantial. Apomeds currently lists tadalafil 10 mg from £0.69 per tablet and 20 mg from £0.51, compared with £8.68 and £8.28 for branded Cialis. Tadalafil online can therefore offer a much lower price while using the same active ingredient.

Cialis vs Tadalafil price comparison for erectile dysfunction treatment

For most private buyers, tadalafil is substantially cheaper than branded Cialis, with a difference of several pounds per tablet at current starting prices. A lower price does not automatically make one erectile dysfunction treatment more suitable than another.

The relevant UK supplementary protection certificate covering tadalafil and Cialis expired in November 2017, helping lower-cost generic medicines enter the market. [3] A lower price does not mean a weaker erectile dysfunction treatment: the active ingredient tadalafil remains the same, while authorised generic products must meet the relevant quality and bioequivalence requirements. [2]

On-demand vs daily use monthly costs for ED tablets

Monthly cost depends on frequency and daily dose. Cialis Daily is taken every day, whereas on-demand Cialis tablets are taken before anticipated sexual activity and can work for up to 36 hours. [1] Occasional on-demand use may therefore cost less each month.

At current starting rates, 30 days of branded Cialis Daily 5 mg would equal about £70.20; tadalafil daily at £0.27 per tablet would be about £8.10. These are comparisons rather than quoted pack prices because actual orders use available size of pack.

A lower monthly cost does not make a treatment clinically better; suitability depends on use frequency and individual health.

Cialis tadalafil daily treatment may suit men who anticipate sexual activity at least twice weekly and prefer not to plan each dose. [1] With the daily regimen, the medication is taken at roughly the same time each day; an erection still occurs only when sexually aroused. On-demand 10mg or 20mg may suit less frequent use.

Cialis vs Viagra price comparison for ED treatments

   

Comparing usual starting doses is more useful than comparing the cheapest strength. At Apomeds, Cialis 10 mg starts from £8.68 per tablet and Viagra 50 mg, the usual sildenafil starting dose, from £6.82. Tadalafil 10 mg starts from £0.69 and sildenafil 50 mg from £0.46. The medicines are not equivalent milligram for milligram.

Price is not the only practical difference. Cialis tadalafil can remain active for up to 36 hours, while sildenafil is normally used about one hour before sex and has demonstrated an erection response to sexual stimulation 4 to 5 hours after dosing. [1, 4] The effects of tadalafil can therefore last significantly longer than those of sildenafil. This longer Cialis work window explains the “weekend pill” nickname.

Neither is automatically the better pill. If you take Cialis or Viagra, treatment choice depends on response, side effects, other medicines, heart health, timing and cost. See our Viagra price guide for more on costs and Cialis vs Viagra for the wider clinical comparison.

NHS, private prescriptions and pharmacy options for erectile dysfunction

NHS prescribing in England changed on 1 October 2025. The previous Selected List Scheme restrictions were removed for generic tadalafil and generic vardenafil in primary care, while branded Cialis remains subject to the restrictions. [5] This removed the previous additional eligibility restriction, but tadalafil still requires clinical assessment.

In England, the standard NHS prescription charge is currently £9.90 per item unless the patient qualifies for free prescriptions. [6] This is a prescription charge, not the retail medication price. Charging arrangements differ elsewhere in the UK.

A private prescription arranged through an online clinic can include medication, consultation, dispensing and delivery costs. At Apomeds, displayed prices include medication, delivery and the Apo Global platform fee but exclude a doctor's fee where applicable. When comparing Cialis cost UK figures, check what is included rather than comparing only the headline medication price.

Cialis Together 10 mg provides another option. It is a Pharmacy medicine for adult men with erectile dysfunction and can be supplied without a prescription after a pharmacist assesses suitability. [7] It contains the same active ingredient tadalafil and may remain active for up to 36 hours. Apomeds currently lists Cialis Together from £3.12 per tablet.

How to buy Cialis safely in the UK

If you buy online, use a legitimate supply route. As a prescription medication, branded Cialis should be obtained through an appropriate prescriber and registered pharmacy, while Cialis Together is a Pharmacy medicine supplied after suitability assessment. [1, 7] The medication may be supplied as a tablet with discreet delivery where offered.

The MHRA warning on illegal erectile dysfunction pills reports that around 19.5 million doses of illegally traded ED medicines were seized between 2021 and 2025. [8] Avoid social-media sellers, messaging apps and unknown websites.

Before you take Cialis, tell the prescriber or pharmacist about medical conditions, other medicines and any other medication. Taking medications for high blood pressure, chest pain or an enlarged prostate is particularly relevant. 

Cialis must not be combined with nitrates or nitric-oxide donors, including some recreational drugs such as "poppers", or with riociguat, a medicine used for pulmonary hypertension, because blood pressure can fall dangerously. [1] Heart disease, very low or uncontrolled high blood pressure, some recent cardiovascular events, a previous episode of NAION (a rare condition affecting the optic nerve) and certain inherited retinal disorders can all affect suitability.

Recurrent ED can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. [9]

Common side effects of Cialis include headache, back pain, muscle aches, facial flushing, nasal congestion and indigestion. [1, 10] Facial flushing is classified as common, meaning it occurs in at least 1% but less than 10% of users. [1] If muscle aches or nasal congestion are troublesome or persistent, speak to a pharmacist or prescriber. Priapism is rare but serious and can damage penile tissue if untreated. Read and keep the patient information leaflet supplied with the medication. 

The patient information leaflet also explains less common reactions and when medical attention is needed. Seek immediate medical attention for chest pain, sudden loss of vision, or an erection that lasts for four hours or more. Avoid excessive alcohol when taking Cialis because it can reduce the ability to achieve an erection and may increase dizziness or a fall in blood pressure. [10]

Frequently asked questions

The amount you pay depends on the medication, dose, pack and supply route.

How much does Cialis cost in the UK?

At Apomeds, branded Cialis starts from £8.68 per tablet for 10 mg, £8.28 for 20 mg and £2.34 for Cialis Daily 5 mg, checked on 26 August 2026. If you search “Cialis price UK”, remember that smaller packs and private prescription fees can increase the total.

Is Generic Tadalafil cheaper than Cialis?

Yes. Tadalafil is usually much cheaper than branded Cialis. The lower price reflects generic competition rather than a different active ingredient, and authorised generics must demonstrate bioequivalence to the branded reference medicine. [2]

Can I get Cialis on the NHS?

Generic forms of tadalafil can now be prescribed in NHS primary care in England without the previous Selected List Scheme restriction, following the 1 October 2025 change. Branded Cialis remains restricted. [5]

If prescription charges apply, the current England charge is £9.90 per item. [6] Suitability for treatment still depends on clinical assessment.

Is Cialis Together cheaper than prescription Cialis?

It can be cheaper than branded prescription Cialis but not necessarily prescription tadalafil. Apomeds currently lists Cialis Together 10 mg from £3.12 per tablet, compared with £8.68 for branded Cialis 10 mg and £0.69 for tadalafil 10 mg.

Cialis Together is a Pharmacy medicine rather than a prescription only medicine, so a pharmacist must assess suitability before supply. [7]

Is Cialis more expensive than Viagra?

At current Apomeds starting prices, the usual on-demand starting dose of branded Cialis costs more per tablet than Viagra: Cialis 10 mg starts from £8.68 and Viagra 50 mg from £6.82. Tadalafil 10 mg also starts above sildenafil 50 mg at £0.69 versus £0.46.

That does not make Viagra the better erectile dysfunction treatment. Tadalafil can support an erection for up to 36 hours when sexually aroused, whereas Viagra has a shorter treatment window. [1, 4] Cost, duration, response, side effects and medical suitability all matter.