Can You Take Cialis in The Morning & Viagra at Night?

Can you mix Viagra and Cialis together?

Men looking to overcome the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) and gain an advantage in the bedroom, often turn to medication in order to achieve and maintain an erection.

Whilst there are a number of pills designed to help, your doctor or pharmacist will usually only prescribe one treatment at a time. If you are prescribed different treatments, you will be explicitly advised to only take one tablet per day.

Given that the effects of these treatments often wear off, can you mix Viagra and Cialis together, in order to ‘double’ the results to get a stronger erection?

The answer is no. Viagra and Cialis should not be taken together, or on the same day.

Before examining why you shouldn’t mix these two ED drugs, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between these two popular brands.

How are Viagra and Cialis similar?

Viagra is the brand name for the drug sildenafil. This cost-effective treatment option is well-tolerated by most men, and as a result, the ‘little blue pill’ has become synonymous with combatting impotence.

Cialis, otherwise known by its generic name tadalafil, offers the same enhancement benefits for men looking to overcome ED symptoms. It is often referred to as ‘the weekend pill’, due to its ability to last for 36 hours (a large chunk of the weekend).

Both treatments are consumed orally, and act as vasodilators, increasing the flow of blood to the penis when a man is sexually stimulated. The increase in blood flow causes an erection firm enough for sex.

Taking Viagra or Cialis alone is not enough to give you an erection. Erectile dysfunction treatments will only work if accompanied by sexual desire. None of these treatments work to increase libido, and taking two treatments together will have no effect, if sexual desire is not present.

In situations where you have the sexual desire, but struggle with the physical manifestation of your intentions, a complex chemical process is occurring within the body. An enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the walls of the blood vessels breaks down cGMP, a chemical that allows blood to enter the penis, causing an erection.

Viagra and Cialis work by blocking the action of PDE5, so that cGMP is not broken down. This facilitates blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.

How are Cialis and Viagra different?

The main difference between the two, is their window of action. Viagra can last for up to 4 hours, whereas Cialis can last for up to 36 hours.

Another difference is that Cialis, offers two distinct treatment protocols: ‘Cialis daily’, and the ‘when required dose’. The ‘when required’ dose is available as a 10mg and 20mg tablet, both of which are taken around 30 minutes before sex. They have the ability to last for up to 36 hours. The ‘daily dose’ is taken every day, with the intention of providing an ongoing low dose of tadalafil, for a continuous effect. This reduces the need to schedule doses. It is available as 2.5mg and 5mg tablets.

Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg dosages. One 50mg tablet taken roughly an hour before sexual activity is the recommended starting dose of Viagra by most doctors. This usually works for most men, however, if you are experiencing any unwanted side-effects (such as headaches, facial flushing and indigestion), then you should try stepping down to the 25mg tablet. 

In the event that you find you’re not overcoming your erection problems with Viagra 50mg – and provided you’re not experiencing any side effects from the treatment – your doctor may step you up to the 100mg dose. 

Which one is better?

When it comes to popularity, both medicines are well known ED treatments. Cialis appears to have become more popular amongst men in recent years, thanks to its quicker onset of action, and its longer duration of action

The side effects of these two medicines are similar, including nausea, stuffy nose, and dizziness, although they may be more pronounced with Viagra due to its higher dosage quantities.

Many men will have a preference for one medication over the other – what works for you may not necessarily offer the same result for the next man. Remember, both treatments require a degree of sexual stimulation on your end -- so be sure to factor in your desire for sexual intercourse when measuring the effects of your preferred medication.

To read an in-depth comparison of both treatments, see our Cialis vs Viagra article. 

Can you take Viagra and Cialis together?

No, you cannot take Viagra and Cialis together, due to an increased risk of side effects. They both work in the same way and there is no evidence to support that taking them together, or on the same day, will improve sexual function.

Some men prefer to use Viagra and Cialis on different days. It is safe to use both treatments, provided you leave a 24 hour gap in between doses.

Despite the imagined appeal, combining medications is never recommended by medical professionals, and can lead to some significant and potentially dangerous side effects.

If you take Cialis on one day, you can take Viagra the next day. Alternatively, if you take Viagra on one day, you can take Cialis the next day. 

The risk of doubling the side effects

Certain medical conditions, such as very high or low blood pressure, heart failure, uncontrolled arrhythmias, kidney or liver failure, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders –  or other severe heart problems – could potentially be exacerbated by taking an ED drug. Combining two essentially doubles your risk, as your body has to deal with significantly elevated blood flow over a much longer duration of time. 

If you’re taking low-dose Cialis, for example, ‘topping up’ 50mg of Viagra increase the levels of ED medication in your body, which can increase the risk of priapism, a long-lasting painful erection which could cause permanent damage.

After ejaculating, your erection should go away. This is normal and known as the refractory period. In the event that combining ED treatments results in an erection that remains after four hours, you should immediately seek medical attention. If you discover that your erection lingers after achieving orgasm, it could be a sign that you’re suffering from the effects of this condition, and you may not want to wait the full four hours in order to reduce the chances of experiencing permanent damage to the penis.

Many men welcome the idea of a treatment that enhances their erection. As we’ve outlined, taking things into your own hands by combining one erectile dysfunction drug with another is a step too far. To prevent the risk of drug interactions causing heart failure, stomach ulcers and liver or kidney failure – not to mention priapism – it is best to seek the advice of your medical professional in the event that your current dosage of ED medication isn’t working.

Your doctor may adjust your medication dosage accordingly, which could result in you achieving the quality of erection you’re looking for – without rolling the dice on a number of unpleasant side effects.

FAQs about taking Cialis and Viagra together

Can you take Cialis in the morning and Viagra at night?

No, you shouldn’t look to supplement a morning dosage of Cialis with a Viagra pill in the evening. The effects of the medication will still be in your system, regardless of whether you took a 36-hour 10mg or 20mg dosage of Cialis, or the 2.5mg or 5mg daily dosage. Taking both Viagra and Cialis together could lead to undesired side effects such as elevated or lowered blood pressure, uncontrolled arrhythmias, or priapism. Consult your doctor if you feel as though your medication dosage isn’t providing the desired effect.

Will it cause permanent damage if I take Viagra and Cialis together?

Taking Viagra and Cialis together could result in priapism (an erection that lasts for over four hours) that may lead to Peyronie’s disease, a medical condition known to cause painful bends in the penis. Otherwise known as penile fibrosis, Peyronie’s disease is often incurable, and the negative effects may increase over time. Additionally, cardiovascular disease, heart failure or other drops in blood pressure could be exacerbated by combining the medications, resulting in unforeseen health issues, which could be harmful.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.