Can tadalafil and alcohol be taken together?

Tadalafil is a drug that is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Most men will experience difficulty in getting an erection at some point in their lives, and although there are many causes of such problems, medication such as tadalafil (or its branded equivalent, Cialis), can help.

For many people, date night may naturally involve an alcoholic drink or two; for some a couple of drinks can help to ease erectile dysfunction and sexual anxiety as it can help to lower inhibitions and increase the feeling of relaxation. However, tadalafil tablets or the branded equivalent, Cialis, and alcohol don’t always mix well.

Tadalafil belongs to a group of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. PDE5 inhibitors cause blood vessels to dilate, leads to increased blood flow to the penis, thereby helping to alleviate erectile dysfunction.

What are the risks of mixing tadalafil and alcohol?

As is often the case, drinking in moderation is not usually a problem; having a couple of drinks whilst taking tadalafil should be fine. However, taking tadalafil (or Cialis 20mg) and alcohol drinking to excess can lead to some serious health complications.

Tadalafil and alcohol do not interact directly with each other, but as both are vasodilators, drinking to excess can amplify the drug’s side effects.

Erectile dysfunction - does alcohol reduce the effectiveness of tadalafil?

Alcohol is not only a vasodilator, it can also act as a depressant. Excessive alcohol drinking may make it harder to achieve and maintain an erection, or it could prevent the drug from working altogether.

How long should you wait before drinking alcohol after taking tadalafil?

One of the unique elements of tadalafil is that it remains in your system for up to 36 hours; this means that it will still help you to achieve and keep an erection for more than a day after you take it. This also means that, although your body will start metabolising the drug as soon as it reaches your blood stream, you should drink with caution in the 36 hours after taking it.

When to consult a medical professional

Before you start taking any erectile dysfunction medication, it is important that you are honest with your prescriber about your lifestyle and any other drugs that you are taking, so that they can determine the safest treatment and dosage for you. If you experience any dizziness or headaches while taking tadalafil or Cialis – with or without alcohol – stop taking it and speak to your doctor. If you have multiple drinks per day, or feel the need to drink every day, speak to your doctor or another medical professional; alcohol dependence can have serious long term health implications.

Like all prescription medications, tadalafil can have side effects, which is why it is not available to buy without a prescription. In general, taking tadalafil and have one or two alcoholic drinks should not have any adverse effects, but if you do experience side effects, stop drinking and seek guidance before taking the drug again.

If you experience erectile dysfunction and would like to explore what ED medication may be the most appropriate for you, add a product to your basket and complete the comprehensive online consultation; one of our prescribers will advise you on the most appropriate treatment.