Cialis (Brand Name Equivalent of Generic Tadalafil)
Medically reviewed by Hanna Kim, PharmD, RPh, B.S., Staff Pharmacist.

Cialis is most commonly known for treating erectile dysfunction in men. It is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate). The generic name for Cialis is tadalafil. If you have a Cialis prescription, we highly recommend ordering the generic version from ScriptCo.
With a ScriptCo membership, you can purchase the generic equivalent of Cialis and other medications at a significantly reduced cost. Learn more about ScriptCo’s online pharmacy and how our discount generic Cialis prices can help you save.
Cialis Prices
An average monthly supply of Cialis ranges in price from approximately $454 to $470 with insurance. Without insurance, Cialis costs more than $1,300—an exorbitant price for an erectile dysfunction treatment. Regularly purchasing Cialis or other brand-name versions of tadalafil will put a significant dent in a patient’s finances.
A ScriptCo membership could save you up to 99% off the cost of your Cialis medication. We purchase the generic Cialis equivalent for wholesale prices, without the retail markup, and pass the savings on to our members. Use our quote tool to get a free estimate for the potential cost of your Cialis prescription.
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About Cialis
What Is the Generic Equivalent of Cialis?
The generic name for Cialis is tadalafil. Tadalafil was approved by the FDA in 2003, following the 1998 approval of a similar but shorter-lasting drug called sildenafil (Viagra). The companies that collaborated to develop tadalafil (ICOS and Glaxo Wellcome) had originally sought a treatment for cardiovascular disease, but during tadalafil trials, they learned that the drug they were developing had a therapeutic effect on erectile dysfunction.
ICOS and Glaxo Wellcome had disagreements over whether to market the drug to treat cardiovascular problems or erectile dysfunction, so ICOS split from its collaboration with Glaxo and teamed up with the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. From there, tadalafil became marketed as Cialis, which quickly became competitive with Viagra for treating erectile dysfunction.
Since the chemical compound in tadalafil is identical to that of Cialis, there is no significant medical difference in taking one drug as opposed to the other. Patients should feel comfortable treating their symptoms with the generic equivalent of Cialis because of the reduced price.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood vessels leading to the penis are blocked, preventing an erection. Cialis belongs to a class of drugs called PDE5-inhibitors. A chemical called cGMP is responsible for proper blood flow to the penis. In erectile dysfunction, the PDE5 enzyme breaks down cGMP. Cialis works to inhibit the PDE5 enzyme, allowing cGMP to increase.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia describes a male’s prostate gland becoming enlarged, which can cause issues such as the inability to urinate due to a blockage in the bladder. Since Cialis increases cGMP concentration, it works to relax the muscles in the penis, allowing for urine to flow out easily.
Cialis is taken orally and comes in a variety of dosages to suit different patients’ needs. While instructions for taking the medication will vary from patient to patient, those who are using Cialis to treat erectile dysfunction are usually directed to take it when preparing for sexual activity. Alternatively, those taking Cialis to treat an enlarged prostate will likely be prescribed to take it daily. Many doctors start by prescribing a low dosage for their patients and will increase the strength as needed.
Some of the mild side effects of Cialis are headaches, heartburn, muscle pain, or pain in the arms and legs. More rare and serious side effects include dizziness, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. Since Cialis widens the blood vessels, it should not be taken in conjunction with excessive alcohol consumption. The combination of Cialis and more than one alcoholic beverage can lead to heart problems and changes in blood pressure. Cialis should not be taken more than once daily.
The Difference Between Generic Tadalafil and Cialis
There is no significant chemical difference between tadalafil and Cialis. Because these two drugs achieve the same biological effects, they can be taken interchangeably—however, tadalafil is much more cost-effective than Cialis. Since ScriptCo sells medications at cost (i.e., for their pre-markup price), members can expect to get a huge discount on their Cialis prescription.
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Get Low-Cost Cialis From ScriptCo
ScriptCo members can have their doctors submit their prescriptions directly to us, then purchase their medications for the lowest prices available. We’ll ship your generic Cialis equivalent straight to the location of your choice.
If you haven’t yet signed up for a ScriptCo membership, join our pharmacy today so you can take advantage of our remarkable Cialis discount. Use our quote tool to see the actual wholesale cost of your prescription.