If you’re looking at treatment options for erectile dysfunction (ED), you may want to learn more about Cialis and its cost. It’s a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of ED and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or both ED and BPH, in adult males.*

You can take a pill of Cialis. It has the active ingredient. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

You can read about how to save money on prescriptions and about the cost of Cialis.

Note: For more details on Cialis, see this in-depth article.

* In this article, we use “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth. To learn more about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The price you pay for Cialis can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider to find out how much you will pay for Cialis.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Cialis. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Cialis in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Cialis requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

If you have insurance, you should ask if it requires prior authorization.

There are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is the price for Cialis 20-mg tablets more than for lower doses of the drug?

There are several strengths to Cialis.

  • 2.5 grams.
  • 5 tablets
  • 10 tablets.
  • 20 tablets.

The cost for these strengths depends on a number of factors.

For example, Cialis for erectile dysfunction (ED) may be taken daily or as needed. If you’re taking Cialis 2.5 tablets daily for ED versus 20 tablets. as needed before sexual activity, your cost may be different depending on how often you take the drug.

If you have questions about the cost of Cialis, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you the exact cost of Cialis.

How much does Cialis cost with insurance?

The cost of Cialis with insurance depends on a number of factors.

Some plans have set copayments (your share of the cost) for brand name and generic drugs. Other plans may require you to pay a percentage of the cost of the drug.

The strength and quantity of Cialis you take may affect your cost.

You can ask your insurance provider what the copay is for your prescription.

Before approving Cialis, some insurance companies may require prior authorization. Your insurance provider, doctor, or pharmacist can tell you more about these requirements.

Cialis is available as the generic drug tadalafil. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication and is considered just as safe and effective.

Generic Cialis may cost less than brand-name Cialis. Generic drugs cost less than brand-name drugs. If you have insurance or are paying out of pocket, the price you pay for generic Cialis can be different.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider to find out how the costs of Cialis and tadalafil compare.

If you have been prescribed Cialis and are interested in taking a different drug, talk to your doctor. They may suggest that you take one version. You need to check with your insurance provider to make sure that it covers both drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

“Years of research and testing are needed to make sure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. The drugs can be expensive if they are tested. The drugmaker can sell the drug for 20 years. Generic versions can be created by other drugmakers after that. The market can lead to lower prices for generics. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, so they don’t need to be studied again. This can lead to lower costs.”

If you take Cialis long term, you can lower your costs.

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Cialis if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Cialis. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Cialis. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help understanding your insurance, check out these websites.

You can find information on insurance, drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards on these sites.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about the cost of Cialis, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you will pay. You need to talk to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost of your health insurance.

You can ask your doctor or insurance provider questions.

  • Is my cost different if I take it as needed?
  • Is it necessary for me to get prior authorization to cover the cost of generic Cialis?
  • Does the cost of Cialis change if I’m taking it for erectile dysfunction or benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.