While the results are very similar, one of the biggest differences between the two is the price.

Texture	Description	Feel	Typical Surface Finish
Smooth	Standard surface, glossy	Smooth	Glossy or matte
Textured	Slightly ridged or indented	Slightly rough	Matte or semi-matte
Coated	Coatings for identification	Varies	Glossy or matte

Generic tadalafil pills are often less than half the price of Cialis.

If the coating is scratched, the white interior may show.
A scratched pill is still chemically potent but looks imperfect.
The pill is not hygroscopic; it does not absorb moisture easily.
Moisture absorption could make the coating sticky or dull.
Proper storage in a dry place maintains the pristine appearance.
The pill is supplied in calendars for daily dosing regimens.
In calendar packs, the appearance helps track missed doses.
The shape is friendly for elderly patients with dexterity issues.
It is not the smallest pill on the market, but not the largest.
Its size is a compromise between dose content and swallowability.
The design reflects human factors engineering.

Price depends on the strength of the dose per pill and the pharmacy you’re buying it from.

17.8 Sudden Hearing Loss

While Medicare and commercial insurance plans do not generally cover the brand-name version, some plans may cover the generic version. In many cases, insurance does not cover Cialis for ED, but only for BPH. The price difference between branded and generic Cialis can be significant, and choosing the generic version could potentially save you money. Using a prescription discount card, such as SingleCare, may help reduce the retail cost of Cialis and other prescription drugs. Keep in mind that prices may vary based on factors such as pharmacy location, insurance plan, and availability of discounts or coupons.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension

It’s always a good idea to compare prices and explore different pharmacies to find the best option for your individual needs. Switching from the brand-name erectile dysfunction medication Cialis to its generic counterpart, tadalafil, should be done with guidance from your healthcare provider. In most cases, a pharmacist can dispense the generic version if the prescribing doctor does not indicate that the brand name is medically necessary. The following steps outline this process and offer helpful tips for a safe transition. Start by consulting with your healthcare provider.

Lifestyle Factors

They can provide medical advice, assess your health and symptoms, and cialis super aktiv determine the appropriate starting dose for tadalafil. The doses for Cialis and tadalafil are identical and should be based on individual needs and the provider’s prescription. To avoid disrupting your medication schedule, take the first dose of tadalafil at the same time you would typically take your Cialis dose, or as directed by your healthcare provider. Both Cialis and tadalafil have the same active ingredient and similar side effects. During the transition, monitor for any serious side effects and report persistent or worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider. Cialis and tadalafil can both be bought online.

Product	Dosage	Quantity + Bonus	Price
Cialis Soft Tabs	20mg	30 + 4 Pills	87.43€ 83.27€
Cialis Generic	5mg	180 + 10 Pills	159.65€ 152.05€
Cialis Generic	2.5mg	20 Pills	40.73€ 38.79€
Cialis Super Active	20mg	10 Pills	55.64€ 52.99€
Cialis Black	80mg	90 + 6 Pills	207.88€ 197.98€
Cialis Generic	5mg	270 + 10 Pills	205.81€ 196.01€
Cialis Black	80mg	360 + 20 Pills	639.78€ 609.31€
Cialis Super Active	20mg	20 + 4 Pills	92.35€ 87.95€
Cialis Professional	40mg	90 + 2 Pills	348.59€ 331.99€
Cialis Generic	5mg	90 + 6 Pills	115.91€ 110.39€
Cialis Generic	10mg	120 + 6 Pills	178.49€ 169.99€
Cialis Generic	60mg	60 + 4 Pills	145.06€ 138.15€
Cialis Professional	20mg	90 + 2 Pills	241.49€ 229.99€
Cialis Generic	20mg	360 + 10 Pills	427.34€ 406.99€

Keep in mind that not all brands of generic tadalafil are FDA approved.

In the event of a recall, appearance is a key identifier for lot numbers.
Recalls are rarely due to appearance issues, but potency or contamination.
If appearance is wrong, it signals a major manufacturing deviation.
Patients should be concerned if a pill looks different than usual.
Different appearance could mean substitution, generic, or counterfeit.
Pharmacists are obligated to inform patients of appearance changes.
For brand-name Cialis, the appearance has been constant for years.
This consistency builds long-term patient trust.
The pill's look is iconic in the pharmaceutical industry.
It represents a blockbuster drug in the urology field.
Its design is studied in pharmaceutical marketing courses.

You can use the search tool on the Tadalafil falls into a category of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. When you become sexually aroused, the nerve terminals and blood vessels in your penis release a molecule called Tadalafil and other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra block an enzyme called PDE5. By inhibiting PDE5, nitric oxide can be more effective at relaxing blood vessels in the penis and increasing blood flow.

4. Generic tadalafil is no different from brand-name Cialis

One noticeable difference between brand-name Cialis and generic tadalafil is their appearance. Brand-name Cialis has an unmistakable yellow, almond-shaped design, while generic tadalafil may differ in color, size, or shape depending on the manufacturer. However, this difference in appearance does not affect the medication’s efficacy or safety. Both brand-name Cialis and generic tadalafil are available as oral tablets in identical strengths, such as 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. Both generic and brand-name versions can be taken orally, either as needed before sexual activity or once daily, depending on the condition being treated.

How do the side effects of Cialis compare with those of the generic version?

Regarding effectiveness, studies have shown that generic medications are just as effective as brand-name drugs. Both brand-name and generic Cialis work by increasing blood flow to the penis, resulting in a firmer and longer-lasting erection. Due to their similar active ingredients, both versions are effective for ED and BPH symptoms. They also carry the same drug interactions, including alpha blockers like tamsulosin, antifungals like ketoconazole and intraconazole, and antibiotics like erythromycin and rifampin, which may increase the side effects of tadalafil. However, a healthcare provider may recommend the brand-name version of the generic for any number of reasons, such as potential allergies to ingredients or their own beliefs about generic drugs.

Generic vs Branded

Both the brand Cialis and the generic versions have the same active ingredients. However, their appearance and costs can vary. Therefore, you may want to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best option for you. Generic Cialis is usually a more affordable option than the brand name. The price of generic Cialis may vary depending on your location, insurance coverage, and the specific dosage needed. This ultimately results in a stronger erection. However, both psychological and physiological factors can disrupt the sequence of reactions needed to achieve an erection.

Release Form and Composition

While you may find cheaper options for Cialis online, you have to be careful of fake Cialis pills that can either include inactive ingredients or even be contaminated with toxic ingredients. What’s the best Cialis dosage for beginners? The dose of Cialis will depend on the indication, with initial doses ranging from as low as 2.5 mg once daily for erectile dysfunction up to 20 mg once daily for pulmonary hypertension. The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of 1/20/2026. Visit our Cialis coupon page for updated Cialis prices near you.

Age-Specific Patterns

Lily reaches settlement agreement in U.S. Cialis patent litigation, News Release (2017) Teva announces exclusive first-to-file launch of a generic version of Cialis® in the United States, News Release (2018) Tadalafil for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy (2019) High-altitude travel and altitude illness, CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel (2026) Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: a database of U.S. health insurance claims, PLoS Medicine (2019) Counterfeit version of Cialis tablets identified entering the United States, Food and Drug Administration (2015) Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice. Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research. Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.

renal dosing

Tadalafil is a generic version of the prescription drug Cialis. Doctors prescribe it to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. It helps relieve erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. Generic Cialis is called tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis. Usually, generic drugs aren’t available until the expiration of the brand name’s patent. For PDE5 inhibitors to work, you still need to be sexually aroused. If your ED is caused by psychological factors, PDE5 inhibitors won’t help treat ED.

Brand Name	Color	Shape	Markings	Unique Features
Cialis Original	White/Oval	Oval	"Cialis" logo	Smooth, glossy surface
Generic Version	Various	Round/Oval	Numeric code	Varies, less branding
Specialty Formulations	Yellow	Oval	None or logo	Unique color, texture

Tadalafil is taken orally in the form of tablets.

2.4 Dose Adjustments for Use with Ritonavir

Eli Lilly and Company’s patent for Cialis expired in 2018, opening the market to generic competitors. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about generic Cialis. Tadalafil, or generic Cialis, 60 mg generic cialis is most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it’s also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Along with other medications used to treat ED, Cialis and generic tadalafil are only available by prescription. The strength of these tablets generally ranges from 2.5 to 20 milligrams (mg).

4.2 Concomitant Guanylate Cyclase (GC) Stimulators

Tadalafil, like other phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, can interact dangerously with nitrate-based medications, such as Imdur and Nitrostat. This includes nitrates used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure. Generic versions of tadalafil that are FDA-approved are just as effective as Cialis. The FDA provides a rigorous inspection process to make sure companies selling these generic drugs undergo good manufacturing processes and that their drugs provide the same clinical benefits. FDA-approved tadalafil and Cialis are cleared for treating ED and both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors that work in the same way — by dilating blood vessels in order to increase blood flow to the penis. Tadalafil tablets can either be taken once per day or as needed.

14.2 CIALIS for Once Daily Use for ED

The prevalence of counterfeit Cialis, particularly online, has become a major concern for consumers. Fake Cialis can pose serious health risks, as it may not contain the correct strength or proper ingredients, or it may be contaminated with toxic substances. That’s why it is often recommended to only buy genuine Cialis from reputable sources. When ordering Cialis online, you may want to choose an accredited online pharmacy that requires a prescription. Avoid pharmacies that do not provide enough information about their products, as they may sell counterfeit or unsafe medications.

Does Cialis cause any long-term side effects?

You can also check for certifications and customer reviews on pharmacy sites before making a purchase. For added security, consider using mail-order pharmacies recommended by your insurance provider. Fake Cialis pills often have a different appearance from genuine Cialis. Authentic Cialis tablets should be yellow or orange-yellow, almond-shaped, stamped with the letter ‘C’, and sealed in a branded blister pack. Suspicious tablets may come in different colors or shapes and lack the proper dosage markings.

Dosage forms

By staying vigilant and staying up to date, you can reduce the risk of purchasing or consuming counterfeit Cialis. Generic and brand Cialis are the same compound, and therefore have the same mechanism of action. Generic Cialis is safe and effective, similar to its branded formulation. Tadafil tablet effects will last up to 36 hours for erectile dysfunction, whether or not the generic or brand name is used. This sets tadalafil apart from other PDE-5 inhibitors, such as sildenafil (Viagra), which only last 4 to 5 hours. If you’re taking them once per day, your doctor will typically start you on a dose of about 2.5 mg and adjust based on how well it’s working for you and whether you’re experiencing any side effects.

Cialis pills are generally oval-shaped with a bright orange hue.
The surface of the pill is glossy and polished.
Imprints such as "C 20" indicate the strength of the dose.
They are small, typically easy to swallow in one gulp.
Generic versions may have different colors or shapes but similar size.
Some pills feature a break line for splitting into doses.
The capsules are not common; most are solid tablets.

44 Pill: yellow, round, 6mm