How Long Does Tadalafil Last?

Tadalafil is an erectile dysfunction medication with a long-acting formula that treats benign prostatic hyperplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension at certain doses. It falls within a group of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Tadalafil stands out for its long duration of action amongst erectile dysfunction medications. An improvement in erectile function can be expected to persist for the better part of 36 consecutive hours for the patient for whom the medication is appropriately prescribed. It’s important to note that an erection will not last for 36 hours. Rather, this medicine will continue to help men achieve an erection during the 36-hour period when they are sexually stimulated.

How Long Does Tadalafil Last?

For treating erectile dysfunction, tadalafil has been shown to have activity for up to 36 hours after a dose. Several clinical studies have identified an improved erectile function at various time points during the 36 hour period.

The long duration of activity can be attributed to the slow clearance of tadalafil. Current U.S. prescribing information states that the terminal half-life of tadalafil in healthy subjects was 17.5 hours on average.

A half-life of 17.5 hours does not correlate to the cessation of action after 17.5 hours. Instead, it means that in the time period of 17.5 hours, approximately 50 percent of the concentration of tadalafil in the blood stream falls. The activity of the drug continues to decrease.

When Does Tadalafil Start Working?

Tadalafil may begin working in as little as 16 minutes. Some subjects of a study reported an erectile response after taking 20mg of tadalafil.

It is likely that people will take tadalafil before they expect to engage in sexual activity as opposed to taking it immediately before the activity. Because tadalafil has a long half-life, you do not need to time your sexual activity along with tadalafil as closely as you would with shorter acting PDE5 inhibitors.

Does Tadalafil Really Last 36 Hours?

Yes, according to clinical studies, men have reported being able to maintain an erection for 36 hours after taking tadalafil.

A clinical study on the effects of 20 mg of tadalafil found that the erection was responsive to stimulation for a period of 36 hours. In another study, tadalafil was found to improve men’s erectile function for 36 hours when tested on men suffering from mild to severe erectile dysfunction.

The term “36 hour effect” is very misleading because tadalafil will not keep an erection. The medication only aids in maintaining an erection with stimulation.

How long does tadalafil stay in the system?

Tadalafil remains in the body much longer than the effects are noticeable.

The DailyMed reports that the terminal half-life of tadalafil is about 17.5 hours. The primary elimination pathway of the drug is the formation of metabolites of which about 61% is excreted in feces and 36% is excreted in urine.

Because elimination happens gradually, tadalafil may take a few days to fully exit the system. This is just one reason health care professionals have to consider all the other medications a person takes to write a prescription for tadalafil.

What Affects How Long Tadalafil Works?

The duration of tadalafil differs amongst various individuals. When considering tadalafil, there are a host of factors that may affect the degree to which the drug is exposed to the body.

Age

The body is able to process the drug less quickly in some older adults, wherewith some older adults may experience a 25% increase in the amount of tadalafil exposed to their systems in comparison to younger health adults.

Kidney or Liver Function

Individuals with liver or significant kidney dysfunction will experience a greater effect from the drug when it is processed and removed from the body. In these situations, these individuals will require a different method of treatment and may warrant a lower dosage.

Dose

Tadalafil is available in a variety of strengths. The appropriate dosage will depend on whether the drug will be taken on an as needed basis or once daily. Increasing the dosage is not advised to gain longer effects and if longer effects are desired, other countermeasures are warranted.

Other Drugs

Tadalafil exposure may be increased due to certain drug interactions. This is highly dependent on strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Does Food Interact With Tadalafil?

Unlike other ED drugs, food does not affect the absorption of this drug. Although tadalafil can be taken at any time, it is recommended to consider this medication without food to ensure the longest duration of the drug.

For those who don’t like to time their dose around eating, tadalafil can be convenient.

Alcohol is not the same. While alcohol appears to have little to no effect on tadalafil’s concentration, combining tadalafil with a large amount of alcohol poses a great risk for dizziness, headache, heart palpitations, and low blood pressure.

Tadalafil vs Sildenafil: How Long Do They Last?

The most distinguishable feature of tadalafil and sildenafil is their prolonged effect of tadalafil.

• Sildenafil has an approximate duration of 4 hours.
• Tadalafil provides 36 hours of prolonged responsiveness.

This is due to their pharmacokinetic differences. Tadalafil’s 17.5 hour half-life is much greater.

This prolonged effect may provide more ease and flexibility since sexual activity is not restricted to a short time after the medication is taken.

Can You Take Another Tadalafil Dose After It Wears Off?

Don’t assume the effect is wearing off and take another dose.

If tadalafil is for an as-needed basis, do not take repeated doses in a short amount of time. This can also increase the effect of tadalafil and increase the side effects.

Do what your healthcare professional instructs you to do rather than increasing the dose on your own.

Important Safety Information

Tadalafil may cause side effects like headache, stomach problems, back pain, muscle pain, flushing, and congestion.

One of the most noteworthy interactions is with nitrate medicines for chest pain. Using tadalafil with nitrates can cause dangerously low blood pressure.

The American Urological Association reports that nitrate use is an important contraindication for PDE5 inhibitor use. An erection lasting longer than four hours requires urgent medical attention and can damage penile tissue. The American Urological Association advises emergency assessment of acute ischemic priapism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tadalafil last longer than Viagra?

Yes. Generally, the action period for tadalafil is longer than sildenafil (Viagra).

Does tadalafil make you hard for 36 hours?

No. Tadalafil is not responsible for continuous erections. It functions to improve the responsiveness of the erectile tissue to sexual stimulation.

How long does 20 mg tadalafil last?

In clinical studies of tadalafil 20 mg, participants reported improved responsiveness for up to 36 hours.

How long does tadalafil remain in your system?

Yes. Improved erectile responsiveness was reported for 24 hours after dosing and for up to 36 hours in clinical studies.

Conclusion

Tadalafil has a long lasting effect on erectile dysfunction compared to other drugs, which is why it has become known as “the weekend pill.” The effects of a single dose of Tadalafil can last as long as 36 hours, while the average terminal half-life of Tadalafil is 17.5 hours.

The 36-hour effect should not be interpreted as the ability to have an erection for 36 hours. Due its mechanism of action, Tadalafil must be combined with sexual stimulation for an erection to occur. Tadalafil relaxes the blood vessels when sexual arousal is present, allowing adequate blood flow for erection.

Due to individual variation based on health conditions and age, a drug’s effect on a patient cannot be generalized. This is why safe usage also includes following instructions and informing the healthcare professional about any other drugs the patient is taking.

Sources

• DailyMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine – Tadalafil Prescribing Information: pharmacokinetics, half-life, food effects, and elimination.
• PubMed – Efficacy of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: clinical evidence supporting responsiveness for up to 36 hours.
• PubMed – Tadalafil and erectile function at 24 and 36 hours: evidence from men with varying ED severity.
• PubMed – Earliest erectile response after tadalafil: research examining onset of response after dosing.
• American Urological Association – Erectile Dysfunction Guideline: guidance on PDE5 inhibitors and safety considerations.
• American Urological Association – Priapism Guideline: emergency guidance for prolonged erections.