ED Pills

You Can Order Cialis Online, But Know This First

January 18, 2022

Medically reviewed by

David Culpepper, MD

Just about anything you can imagine is a few clicks away online these days.

That includes prescription medications to treat erectile dysfunction

It's never been easier to get Cialis® and medications like it. That’s particularly good news for the estimated 30 million men in the US that regularly experience erectile dysfunction. 

But is online the best place to order Cialis?

How do you know what’s legit. What should you look for in the first place? Here’s a quick rundown of getting Cialis online. 

What Is Cialis? 

Cialis is a prescription medication that's manufactured and sold by Eli Lilly and Company. It’s used to manage the symptoms of erectile dysfunction and was first approved for use in the United States on November 21, 2003. It's since gone on to become the strongest competitor to Viagra®, which was the first medication approved to treat ED.

Although Cialis is still second to Viagra, it's made up a lot of ground in recent years, and together these two medications make up roughly 95 percent of the market for erectile dysfunction treatment. 

What Is Erectile Dysfunction? 

Erectile dysfunction is when a man has difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection that's firm enough for sex. 

Nearly every guy will experience ED or symptoms like it at one point or another. It’s completely normal for the occasional issue to occur, but if these issues become the norm it's generally considered erectile dysfunction. 

Erectile dysfunction is really a term for symptoms, and ED does not have a singular cause. It's usually a symptom of other medical conditions, often the result of a physical condition that has a negative impact on your circulatory or cardiovascular system. It can be caused by psychological issues as well. 

These are a few of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction: 

  • Anxiety
  • Atherosclerotic arteries
  • Depression 
  • Diabetes
  • Alcohol
  • Heart disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Injuries to the spine or pelvic region
  • Kidney disease
  • Low self esteem
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Obesity
  • Performance anxiety
  • Peyronie’s disease
  • Prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatments
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Side effect of certain medications such as blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and ulcer medicine
  • Smoking
  • Stress

It’s important to note that taking prescription medications for erectile dysfunction will not "cure" ED. These drugs are meant to help manage the symptoms of ED and help guys get an erection, and they work very well for most men.

To truly cure ED, most men will need to address the underlying cause.

How Does Cialis Work To Treat ED?

The active ingredient in Cialis is tadalafil, which is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. All of the popular medications for erectile dysfunction – including Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra® (vardenafil) – belong to this drug class and work in a similar way. 

The PDE5 enzyme is found in blood vessels and usually acts as the "breaking system" on your erections. The enzyme helps return your penis to flaccid after an erection and orgasm. 

PDE 5 inhibitors block this enzyme to help keep blood vessels dilated when you're aroused. This helps to increase the volume of blood flowing to your penis to achieve an erection more easily and to stay erect for longer.  

The major difference between Cialis and the other PDE5 inhibitors is how and when it's taken. Cialis is the only medication that can be taken daily in a low dose or "on-demand" when you're preparing for intimacy. Viagra and Levitra are both intended for use as needed in the 4 hours prior to sex.

Cialis in its higher doses (5, 10, and 20 mg) is used on-demand as well, though it's effects can last for 36 hours or more. For this reason, Cialis is often preferred over other medications when men and their partners get to try more than one.

Cialis in its lower doses (2.5 and 5 mg) can be taken every day to keep you "ready" for action. This is known as Cialis Daily.

Cialis is also available as generic tadalafil at much lower prices than the original branded form.

A doctor can help decide which is best for you.

Where Can You Buy Cialis Online? 

There are plenty of places that offer Cialis or generic tadalafil online, but not all can be trusted. 

The first thing to know is that you can’t legally obtain Cialis without a prescription from a licensed clinician. Any website advertising Cialis or other "performance-enhancing" medications are likely not selling the real deal. 

This is important, as many over-the-counter medications and supplements that purport to improve the symptoms of ED have been found to be unsafe. The FDA maintains a lengthy list of unsafe brands and products.

Rather than spending hours wondering whether or not you’re going to get sugar pills (or worse) in the mail, go with a website that's trusted, can help you get a prescription, and has all of the most popular medication options available to support men’s health.

At Rex MD, our process is simple:

  1. Answer a short questionnaire. The first step in ordering Cialis online with Rex MD is to answer a medical questionnaire providing insights into your overall health and the symptoms you've been experiencing. It won't take more than a few minutes to answer these questions. You will also need to provide current government-issued identification and a photo of yourself to verify your identity. You'll select the medication you're interested in at this time.
  2. Get connected with a doctor. A US licensed medical professional with Rex MD evaluates your symptoms and medical background as soon as possible. They may request clarification to cover any additional questions or concerns they have, but this can be done over the telephone, and sometimes through our Member Portal messaging system. 
  3. Get your medication. If your doctor determines that prescription medication is a good fit, your prescription is written and your medication shipped directly to your door in discreet packaging, with 2-day free shipping. Enjoy!
  4. Questions or concerns? Reach out to your assigned clinician through our Member Portal or call our support staff any time.

Other things to look for in online Cialis providers:

  • Quality reviews from real users
  • Certification from third-party verification organizations like LegitScript
  • Affiliation with identifiable medical providers

The Takeaway 

One of the most popular options among prescription ED medications is Cialis (tadalafil). There are plenty of places online that claim to offer Cialis or other medications for erectile dysfunction, but be careful: it’s not possible to obtain any of these effective medications without a prescription, and many online providers sell ineffective medications. Look for verification and trust factors like reviews and third-party credentials.

With Rex MD, you can get prescription men's health medications delivered directly to your door, if prescribed, without even getting off your couch. 

Get started with Rex MD here.




SOURCES

Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction | NIDDK.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) | NIDDK

Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction | NIDDK

Cialis (tadalafil) FDA Approval History | Drugs.com

Pfizer still holds the lead in the erectile dysfunction market even as Viagra sales falter | CNBC

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction | NCBI

Should you take a daily erectile dysfunction pill?.