Although erectile dysfunction (ED) can feel isolating and difficult to talk about, it’s very common. And many effective, clinically-proven treatment options are available, including tadalafil.
Tadalafil (sometimes called “the weekend pill”) is available on the NHS for erectile dysfunction, but it is only prescribed for men whose ED is linked to specific medical conditions. Many men don’t meet the NHS criteria and may need to consider an alternative treatment or private prescription instead.
In this article, we explain who may qualify for tadalafil on the NHS, how these prescriptions work, and what your options are if you’re not eligible.
Who can get tadalafil on the NHS?
Erectile dysfunction can have many different causes. It’s often linked to factors such as stress, performance anxiety, tiredness, lifestyle habits, or as a side effect of some medicines, but it can also be associated with underlying medical conditions (1).
On the NHS, Tadalafil is usually only prescribed when erectile dysfunction is connected to certain diagnosed health conditions (2). This means that even if you’re experiencing ED, you may not automatically qualify for treatment through an NHS prescription.
These conditions include:
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Poliomyelitis
Prostate cancer
Severe pelvic injury
Spina bifida
Spinal cord injury
Single-gene neurological disorders
Prostatectomy
Kidney failure requiring dialysis
If your ED is not related to one of these conditions, your GP may still prescribe treatment in exceptional circumstances — for example, if symptoms are causing significant distress. However, many people with erectile dysfunction will not meet NHS eligibility criteria.
How can I get tadalafil on the NHS?
If you’re living with erectile dysfunction, the first step is to speak to your GP. Although it can feel difficult to talk about erectile dysfunction, GPs support people with this condition every day. Many men are surprised by how straightforward these conversations are once they take the first step.
At your appointment, your GP will usually:
Ask about your symptoms and when they started
Review your medical history and current medications
Carry basic health checks (such as blood pressure and blood tests)
Check whether tadalafil is safe and appropriate for you
See if you meet eligibility criteria for tadalafil
If you do meet the NHS prescribing criteria, your GP can issue a prescription that you can take to the pharmacy to be filled. If not, your doctor may suggest an alternative treatment. Alternatively, if you know you want tadalafil, you may be able to get a private prescription.
What strength tadalafil does the NHS prescribe?
Tadalafil is available in four strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg (3).
The dose you get given depends on how often you expect to use the treatment and how your body responds. For this reason, prescriptions are often issued in limited quantities at first—your doctor can check how well the treatment is working before continuing it.
When getting an NHS prescription of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction, most men are started on a 10mg dose taken when needed before sexual activity (3). If this isn’t effective, your GP may increase the dose to 20mg, or reduce it to 5mg if side effects occur.
Rather than taking tadalafil before planned sexual activity, it can also be taken daily at a low dose (2.5mg or 5mg). This lower daily dose allows for more spontaneity in the bedroom and may be suggested by your doctor if you have sex more than twice per week or if you are also being treated for benign prostate enlargement.
However, while daily tadalafil may be offered in some situations, it isn’t routinely available in all areas. On the NHS, “as-needed” tadalafil is more common.
Do you pay for tadalafil on the NHS?
The price of tadalafil on the NHS depends on where in the UK you live. Prescriptions are free in:
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
You may also qualify for free prescriptions in England depending on your age, medical conditions, or exemption status (4). However, most men prescribed tadalafil on the NHS in England will usually pay the standard prescription charge per item (currently ÂŁ9.90).
If tadalafil is prescribed privately, you’ll need to pay the full cost of the medication.
What happens if I’m not eligible on the NHS?
If you’re not eligible for tadalafil on the NHS, your GP may still suggest other treatments for erectile dysfunction (1). Common alternatives include:
Other PDE5 inhibitor medicines like sildenafil
Penile implants
Psychological support or counselling (for psychological ED)
Lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep, quitting smoking, or exercising more
Treating underlying health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
Your GP can help you decide which ED treatment is best for your situation.
However, if tadalafil is the treatment you’d prefer, it may still be available through a private prescription following an assessment. Many men choose this route when NHS eligibility criteria don’t apply, but they still want access to an erectile dysfunction treatment that suits their needs.
Can I get tadalafil privately?
Yes. Many men with erectile dysfunction don’t meet NHS prescribing criteria. But this doesn’t mean tadalafil isn’t available — it just means it may need to be accessed privately.
Some men even choose to explore private routes straight away, without first speaking to their GP. This might be because:
NHS eligibility criteria are limited
Appointments may take time to arrange
They prefer not to discuss erectile dysfunction face-to-face
Or they would like faster, more convenient access to treatment
Online prescribing services make it possible to request treatment discreetly from home by completing a medical questionnaire reviewed by a UK-registered clinician. For many people, this feels like a more comfortable first step than discussing symptoms face-to-face.
If treatment is suitable, medication can be delivered directly to your home in discreet packaging.
Getting tadalafil with Oxford Online Pharmacy
If you decide to get tadalafil privately, you can request treatment through Oxford Online Pharmacy’s secure online doctor service, without needing a face-to-face appointment.
The process is simple and designed to be discreet:
Complete a short online consultation where we ask about your health and symptoms
Choose tadalafil or another ED medicine as your preferred treatment option
A UK-registered independent doctor reviews your answers to see if the treatment is safe
If approved, your medication is dispatched the same day when ordered before 1pm
Your treatment is delivered in plain packaging to your chosen address
Oxford Online Pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy offering clinically proven erectile dysfunction treatments to those looking for an affordable and convenient solution, so that you can get the support you want in a way that feels comfortable to you.
If you think tadalafil could be right for you, you can start a short online consultation today.
Frequently asked questions
I have erectile dysfunction. Will I qualify for tadalafil on the NHS?
Not necessarily. Tadalafil is usually only prescribed on the NHS for erectile dysfunction when it’s linked to specific medical conditions, such as diabetes or spinal cord injury. Many men with ED don’t meet these criteria and need to consider a private prescription or alternative treatment.
Can I get tadalafil privately?
Yes, tadalafil is available privately in the UK. But before you can get a prescription, you’ll have to complete a consultation to see if it is safe and appropriate for you. If treatment is suitable for you, a prescription can be issued and the medication supplied by a registered pharmacy.
Are there any alternatives to tadalafil?
Yes. There are other erectile dysfunction tablets that work similarly to tadalafil by improving blood flow to the penis. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, options such as vacuum erection devices, injections, psychological support, or lifestyle changes may also help.
Do I need to see my GP before getting tadalafil?
Not always. While your GP can prescribe tadalafil if you meet NHS criteria, many people choose to access treatment privately through an online consultation at Oxford Online Pharmacy instead, especially if they prefer a quicker or more discreet option.
References
NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) [Internet]. NHS. 2019.
NHS. About tadalafil [Internet]. NHS. 2022.
NHS. How and when to take tadalafil [Internet]. NHS. 2022.
‌NHS. Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs [Internet]. NHS