Updated July 2026
*Price based on 20 mg pill split in half
Walgreens’ prices for Cialis increased slightly from last month. The 20 milligram tablet is currently $60.83, 10 milligrams is $30.42, and the cost for a 10 milligram dose for those who split their tablets is $30.41.
Tadalafil Prices
Tadalafil prices at Walgreens have decreased slightly this month for the 20 milligram dosage at $2.01 and the 10 milligram dosage, which, for those who split the 20 milligram pills, is $1.01. However, the price of tadalafil 5 milligrams rose significantly to $4.77.
Cialis and Tadalafil: The Facts
Uses and Approvals
Cialis was first approved for medical use in 2003 and is primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction. Additionally, it is approved for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Tadalafil: Generic vs. Brand Name
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis and is also the name used for generic medications. Generic and brand-name medicines share the same dose and quality of the active ingredient and have identical medical effects. The difference lies in the inactive ingredients within the formulation. As of this writing, all formulations are intended for oral use.
Cialis/Tadalafil Mechanism of Action
Regardless of the formulation, tadalafil blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 breaks down certain chemicals in the body, which narrows the blood vessels. By preventing this, Cialis keeps the vessels open, allowing more blood to flow into the penis and making it easier to achieve and maintain firmer erections.
Cialis/Tadalafil Onset and Duration
Cialis generally becomes active in the body half an hour after ingestion and can have effects lasting up to 36 hours afterward, compared to four hours for sildenafil (Viagra).
Dosage Considerations for Cialis/Tadalafil
Due to its action, it’s not recommended to take any PDE5 inhibitor with other vasodilators or blood pressure medications. Similarly, dosages prescribed for other purposes shouldn’t be used to treat erectile dysfunction, as they can be much lower or much higher than needed.
For example, dosages of tadalafil to treat PAH can be as high as 40 milligrams, more than double the highest strength for a pill designed to treat ED.
Cialis/Tadalafil Side Effects
The most common side effects of tadalafil are:
- Headaches
- Stomach pain and indigestion
- Acid reflux and belching
- Flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Muscle ache, including back pain
Muscle aches and back symptoms generally occur 12 to 24 hours after taking tadalafil and resolve within a maximum of 48 hours. These symptoms are due to tadalafil acting on blood vessels throughout the body.
Precautions and Interactions for Cialis/Tadalafil
If you experience an erection lasting more than four hours, seek medical attention immediately, as this may cause damage to the penis.
If you have heart disease, liver disease, vision or hearing concerns, or any issues with how your body processes medication, consult your doctor before taking any PDE5 inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors also act on other enzymes, which can have unexpected effects.
Review other medications you’re taking before using tadalafil, as some can interact with it and reduce how long it stays in the body. This is particularly true for medicines broken down by the liver.
Ordering Online Could Be Cheaper
Should you decide instead to order your Cialis or tadalafil online, the cost per dose will be higher, but the price you pay per pill will get you far more than you’ll receive from conventional pharmacies in terms of both time and money.
Consider eDrugstore’s Complimentary Extras
When you buy a pill at a conventional pharmacy, you pay the posted price, and you get the pill. That’s pretty much it. However, when you order online from eDrugstore, the price per pill has a number of extras built in.
If you already have a doctor’s prescription, you can fax it or scan and email it along with your order to eDrugstore. That will save you the time and travel involved with filling a prescription at a brick-and-mortar pharmacy.
If you don’t yet have a prescription, eDrugstore can set up a complimentary online consultation with a U.S.-licensed physician who can authorize a prescription if appropriate. That can mean substantial savings.
Shipping Is Free
Once you place your online order, eDrugstore packages your shipment discreetly and sends it off, free of cost, to your home, workplace, or any other destination that works for you. If it’s your first shipment from eDrugstore, we’ll toss in a complimentary pill splitter.
Based in Tempe, Arizona, eDrugstore has been in business since the late 1990s. In addition to Cialis and tadalafil, the online facilitator offers a full range of all available erectile dysfunction medications — both brand-name and generic. To learn more, visit our erectile dysfunction page.
Dan is a long-time freelance writer focusing on technology, science, health, and medicine, with a lifelong interest in physics, biology, and medicine. His work has taken a particular focus on scientific studies “beyond the headlines,” reading the study to more closely examine the results.