Cialis (tadalafil) is usually taken either once daily at a low dose or once as needed, no more than once in 24 hours. You should never exceed 20 mg in a single day and never take it more often than your prescriber tells you.

Quick Scoop

1. The basic rule

  • For erectile dysfunction, you generally have two patterns:
    • As needed (“on‑demand”) : 10 mg is a common starting dose, adjusted to 5 mg or 20 mg.
* **Daily use** : 2.5 mg or 5 mg once a day at about the same time.
  • In both cases:
    • Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.
* The overall **maximum is 20 mg per day** for ED.

A common practical example: if you take 20 mg for sex on Friday at 8 p.m., you should not take another dose before at least the next day, and many guides suggest allowing up to about 36 hours between higher (10–20 mg) doses because the effect can last that long.

2. “As needed” vs daily: how often is safe?

[5][7] [3][1][5] [7][3][5] [3][5][7]
Type Typical doses How often you can take it
As-needed Cialis 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg before sexOnce in 24 hours, many sources advise leaving up to 36 hours between 10–20 mg doses.
Daily Cialis 2.5 mg or 5 mg every dayOnce a day at the same time; do not take extra “booster” doses.
  • If you have sex less than 2–3 times per week , on‑demand 10–20 mg is often used, but still no more than once per day.
  • If you have sex at least twice weekly , many clinicians prefer daily 2.5–5 mg so you are always “covered” without stacking big doses.

3. Why you shouldn’t take it more often

Taking Cialis too frequently or above the recommended dose increases the risk of:

  • Very low blood pressure, especially if combined with nitrates or certain heart medicines.
  • Priapism (a painful erection lasting 4 hours or more), which is a medical emergency.
  • Headache, flushing, dizziness, vision changes, or chest pain becoming more likely and more severe.

If you accidentally take more than one tablet in 24 hours, or more than your prescribed dose, you should seek urgent medical advice.

4. Mini “real‑life” scenario

You’re prescribed 10 mg Cialis as needed. You take 10 mg at 7 p.m., have sex, and still feel some effect the next morning. You should not take another pill the next morning “just in case,” because the medicine is still active in your system and doubling up can raise your risk of side effects.

If you find that a single prescribed dose is regularly “not enough,” you should talk with your clinician about adjusting the dose or switching to the daily schedule instead of self‑increasing or taking it more often.

5. FAQ-style quick hits

  • How often can you take Cialis 20 mg?
    At most once in 24 hours , and 20 mg is the maximum daily dose for ED.
  • Can you take Cialis every day?
    Yes, but only the low-dose forms (2.5–5 mg once daily) , and only if your prescriber has set it up that way.
  • Can you mix daily and as‑needed doses?
    No. You shouldn’t take a daily pill plus an extra 10–20 mg “boost”; that would exceed recommended limits for many people.
  • What if I also have BPH (prostate symptoms)?
    Tadalafil 5 mg once daily is commonly used and can be taken long term under medical supervision.

6. Important safety note

Cialis dosing is individualized, especially if you:

  • Have heart disease, low blood pressure, or take nitrates or certain blood pressure medicines.
  • Have kidney or liver problems.
  • Take other ED drugs.

Because I can’t see your medical history, this isn’t personal medical advice. Always follow the exact plan your own prescriber gives you, and ask them directly if you’re unsure whether you can take a dose on a given day.

TL;DR: For most people, Cialis is either 2.5–5 mg once daily or 5–20 mg as needed, no more than once per day, with 20 mg as the max daily dose.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.