Cialis 5mg Tablet belongs to a class of medicines known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and contains Tadalafil as its active ingredient — a clinically well-established compound with one of the longest durations of action among medicines in its class, earning it the informal distinction of being distinguished by its extended pharmacological window compared to other PDE-5 inhibitors. Like all medicines in this class, Cialis 5mg can cause side effects, and the ones most commonly reported include headache, back pain, muscle aches (myalgia), and facial flushing — most of which are mild to moderate in nature and tend to resolve on their own, though they are worth being aware of before you begin taking it. There are some particularly important things you should know before purchasing this tablet: Cialis 5mg is a prescription-only medicine in Malaysia, meaning a valid doctor's prescription is required to dispense it, and it carries an absolute contraindication with nitrate-containing medicines — a combination that can cause a severe and potentially fatal drop in blood pressure. You should also be aware that Cialis 5mg is formulated specifically as a once-daily low-dose regimen — making it distinct from higher on-demand doses of Tadalafil — and it is intended for use by adult men only; if you have a history of heart disease, stroke, severe liver or kidney conditions, or are taking blood-pressure-lowering medicines, you must discuss suitability with your doctor before starting this medicine.
How to Take Cialis 5mg Tablet
Cialis 5mg Tablet is taken orally — swallow the light yellow, almond-shaped, film-coated tablet whole with a glass of water; do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and because this 5mg dose is specifically designed as a once-daily low-dose formulation, it is important to take it at approximately the same time each day to maintain consistent Tadalafil plasma levels in your body. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day — if you do not remember until the following day, simply skip the missed dose and resume your regular daily schedule; do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed one.
Dosage of Cialis 5mg Tablet
The recommended dose for the once-daily low-dose regimen is 5mg of Tadalafil taken orally once a day at approximately the same time each day, with the dose potentially adjusted down to 2.5mg once daily based on individual tolerability as determined by your prescribing doctor. This 5mg once-daily dosing is distinct from the on-demand regimen (10mg or 20mg taken before anticipated activity) — do not adjust your dosing schedule or switch between regimens without explicit guidance from your healthcare provider, and never exceed the prescribed daily dose.
Shelf Life of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Shelf Life: 36 months (3 years) from the date of manufacture when stored correctly under recommended conditions
Pack Sizes Available: Blister packs of 14, 28, or 84 tablets (pack size availability may vary by market)
Tablet Identification: Light yellow, almond-shaped, film-coated tablet marked "C 5" on one side
Always check the expiry date printed on the outer carton and individual blister strip before taking each tablet. Do not use Cialis 5mg beyond its stated expiry date — the chemical stability and therapeutic potency of Tadalafil may degrade over time, and using an expired medicine is not considered safe or reliable. Any expired or surplus tablets should be returned to a licensed pharmacy for proper, environmentally responsible pharmaceutical disposal; do not dispose of them in household waste or flush them into drainage systems.
How to Store Cialis 5mg Tablet
- Store at room temperature between 15°C and 30°C in a cool, dry place
- Protect from moisture and humidity — do not store in a bathroom cabinet, near a kitchen sink, or in any area prone to condensation
- Keep away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources such as radiators, stovetops, or sun-facing windowsills
- Do not refrigerate or freeze unless the product label explicitly directs this
- Keep each tablet in its original blister packaging until the time of use to protect it from light, air, and humidity
- Retain the outer carton throughout the course of use — it contains all essential product information including the batch number, registration details, and expiry date
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children and adolescents at all times
- Do not store Cialis in a car, particularly in the glove box or boot — temperature fluctuations in vehicles can compromise the integrity of the tablet formulation
- Do not transfer tablets into an unlabelled secondary container — pharmaceutical misidentification is a preventable but serious risk
Active Ingredient of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Active Ingredient: Tadalafil 5mg per tablet
Drug Class: Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) Inhibitor
ATC Code: G04BE08
Empirical Formula: C₂₂H₁₉N₃O₄ (Molecular Weight: 389.41)
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. | Lot 36, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Regulatory Status: Registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Ministry of Health Malaysia
Tadalafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), an enzyme expressed in vascular smooth muscle, corpus cavernosum, and the prostate and bladder. One of the defining pharmacokinetic characteristics of Tadalafil that sets it apart from other PDE-5 inhibitors is its exceptionally long plasma half-life of approximately 17.5 hours, enabling a once-daily low-dose dosing regimen and a prolonged duration of pharmacological action compared to Sildenafil and Vardenafil. Tadalafil is predominantly metabolised in the liver via the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4, and is excreted primarily in faeces (approximately 61%) and urine (approximately 36%). It has greater than 10,000-fold selectivity for PDE5 over PDE1, PDE2, PDE4, and PDE7 — enzymes found in the heart, brain, and blood vessels — which underpins its targeted pharmacological profile. The inactive excipients in Cialis 5mg tablets include: croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and iron oxide yellow (for the film coat) — refer to the full product package insert for the complete formulation declaration.
Side Effects of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Side effects may occur with Cialis 5mg Tablet. The following have been documented in clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance for Tadalafil at the 5mg once-daily dose:
Common Side Effects (occurring in more than 1 in 10 patients or frequently reported):
- Headache — the most frequently reported adverse effect across the Tadalafil clinical trial programme
- Back pain (dorsalgia) — occurs more frequently with Tadalafil than with other PDE-5 inhibitors and is related to skeletal muscle PDE11 inhibition
- Myalgia (generalised muscle aching or pain in limbs)
- Facial flushing (warmth and redness of the face, neck, and chest due to vasodilation)
- Dyspepsia (indigestion, heartburn, or upper abdominal discomfort)
- Nasal congestion or rhinitis
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
Less Common Side Effects:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) — more pronounced when combined with antihypertensives, alpha-blockers, or alcohol
- Visual disturbances — blurred vision, altered colour perception (blue-green tinge), or increased sensitivity to light
- Palpitations or increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Peripheral oedema (swelling of the extremities)
- Epistaxis (nosebleed)
- ECG abnormalities — particularly sinus bradycardia (slightly more common with once-daily Tadalafil dosing compared to placebo in clinical trials)
- Skin rash, urticaria (hives), or erythema (skin redness)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Diarrhoea — reported more frequently in patients over 65 years of age taking once-daily Tadalafil
Rare but Serious — Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
- Priapism: a prolonged, painful erection lasting more than 4 hours — a urological emergency requiring immediate medical treatment to prevent permanent penile tissue damage
- Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION): a rare eye condition involving sudden, painless loss of vision in one or both eyes — discontinue Tadalafil immediately and seek urgent ophthalmological assessment
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears) — cases have been reported in temporal association with PDE-5 inhibitor use; stop use and seek prompt medical review
- Serious cardiovascular events — including myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, unstable angina, and cerebrovascular incidents have been reported in temporal association with Tadalafil use (causal relationship not always established, but cardiovascular risk must be assessed before initiating therapy)
- Severe allergic reactions including angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat) or anaphylaxis — seek emergency medical care
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome and exfoliative dermatitis — rare but severe skin reactions; discontinue immediately if widespread skin blistering or peeling occurs
This is not a complete or exhaustive list of all possible adverse effects. Always refer to the full prescribing information, package insert, or consult a healthcare professional for comprehensive safety information.
Contraindications of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Cialis 5mg Tablet must not be used in the following circumstances:
- Concurrent use of organic nitrates in any form — including nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate/GTN), isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and recreational nitrite inhalants ('poppers' such as amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite). This combination is absolutely and unconditionally contraindicated due to a potentially life-threatening additive hypotensive effect; the extended half-life of Tadalafil (approximately 17.5 hours) means the nitrate restriction period is longer than for shorter-acting PDE-5 inhibitors
- Concurrent use of guanylate cyclase (GC) stimulators such as riociguat (Adempas) or vericiguat (Verquvo) — additive blood pressure reduction can be severe and dangerous
- Known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to Tadalafil or any of the excipients listed in the formulation (including lactose — Cialis 5mg contains approximately 250mg lactose monohydrate per tablet)
- Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C)
- Previous episode of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min) receiving once-daily 5mg dosing without specialist oversight
- Unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction (within the past 90 days), or recent stroke (within the past 6 months)
- Resting hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg) or uncontrolled hypertension (systolic above 170 mmHg or diastolic above 100 mmHg)
- New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV cardiac failure
- Hereditary degenerative retinal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa
- This medicine is not intended for use in women, children, or adolescents under 18 years of age
Use with caution under medical supervision in patients with anatomical penile deformity (e.g., Peyronie's disease), conditions predisposing to priapism (e.g., sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, leukaemia), or those with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A or B, where a maximum 10mg on-demand dose is advised). Always provide your full medical history and current medication list to your prescribing doctor before initiating Cialis.
Drug & Food Interaction of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Contraindicated Drug Combinations (Must Not Be Used Together):
- All organic nitrates (any route or form) — nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, and recreational nitrite inhalants: Absolutely contraindicated due to profound and potentially fatal additive hypotension. Given Tadalafil's long half-life, nitrate therapy must not be initiated for at least 48 hours after the last dose of Tadalafil; conversely, Tadalafil must not be started until the nitrate has been fully cleared
- Riociguat (Adempas) and vericiguat (Verquvo): Guanylate cyclase stimulators with additive blood pressure-lowering effects — combination is contraindicated
Drug Interactions Requiring Caution or Dose Adjustment:
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors — Ritonavir (and other HIV protease inhibitors including atazanavir, saquinavir, and lopinavir)
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, and other strong antifungal CYP3A4 inhibitors
- Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors — erythromycin, clarithromycin, fluconazole, grapefruit juice
- CYP3A4 inducers — rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Alpha-blockers (e.g., doxazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin)
- Antihypertensive agents (e.g., amlodipine, enalapril, metoprolol, bendroflumethiazide, angiotensin II receptor antagonists)
- Warfarin and other anticoagulants
- Other PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, vardenafil, avanafil) and Tadalafil for pulmonary arterial hypertension (e.g., Adcirca)
- Bosentan (endothelin receptor antagonist)
Food & Beverage Interactions:
- Alcohol: Avoid consuming significant quantities of alcohol while taking Cialis 5mg — both Tadalafil and alcohol independently dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Their combination can cause additive hypotension, leading to dizziness, flushing, increased heart rate, and an elevated risk of falls or fainting. Moderate alcohol consumption (no more than 5 units) is generally considered cautiously acceptable, but this should be discussed with your doctor
- Grapefruit and grapefruit juice
- High-fat meals
Quick Tips for Cialis 5mg Tablet
- Never take Cialis 5mg with any nitrate medicine — this combination can cause a severe and potentially fatal drop in blood pressure. Due to Tadalafil's long half-life, this restriction applies for at least 48 hours after your last Cialis dose. If you are unsure whether any of your medicines contain nitrates, ask your pharmacist before starting Cialis
- Take your Cialis 5mg tablet at approximately the same time every day — consistency helps maintain stable plasma levels, which is especially important for the once-daily dosing regimen
- Unlike on-demand PDE-5 inhibitors, Cialis 5mg does not need to be timed around specific activities — once-daily dosing provides a sustained pharmacological background, but your doctor will advise on the appropriate routine for your situation
- Do not take Cialis 5mg with another PDE-5 inhibitor — only one such medicine should ever be taken at a time
- Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol on the days you take Cialis — the blood pressure-lowering effects of both can combine and cause dizziness or fainting
- Avoid grapefruit juice on the days you take your Cialis dose, as it can elevate Tadalafil blood levels unpredictably
- If you experience an erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism), seek emergency medical attention immediately — this is a urological emergency
- If you notice a sudden change or loss of vision in one or both eyes, stop taking Cialis and seek urgent medical review without delay
- If you notice sudden hearing loss or ringing in your ears, stop use immediately and consult your doctor
- Store tablets between 15°C and 30°C in their original blister pack and outer carton, away from sunlight, heat, and moisture
- Keep all follow-up appointments with your prescribing doctor — periodic review of the appropriateness of the once-daily regimen is part of responsible long-term use
- Tell all your healthcare providers (including dentists and specialists) that you are taking Cialis before any new medicine is prescribed — drug interactions can occur with a wide range of commonly used medicines
- Check the expiry date on the blister strip and outer carton before each dose — do not take an expired tablet
- This medicine is for adult men only — it must not be used by women, children, or adolescents
- Do not share this prescription medicine with anyone else — it is prescribed for your specific medical circumstances
- Return any unused or expired tablets to a licensed pharmacy for safe disposal
FAQs of Cialis 5mg Tablet
Q: Can I buy Cialis 5mg Tablet online in Malaysia?
A: Cialis 5mg Tablet is a prescription-only medicine in Malaysia, which means you need a valid prescription from a licensed doctor to obtain it legally. Online pharmacies may ask you to upload or present a prescription before dispensing.
Q: How long does it take for Cialis 5mg Tablet to work?
A: Cialis 5mg taken once daily provides a constant low-level concentration of Tadalafil in your body. It does not need to be timed around sexual activity, unlike on-demand 10mg or 20mg doses.
Q: Can women or children take Cialis 5mg Tablet?
A: No. Cialis 5mg Tablet is intended only for adult men. It is not approved or studied for use in women or children.
Q: What should I do if I miss a dose?
A: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If you only remember the next day, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule. Do not double the dose.
Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Cialis 5mg Tablet?
A: Moderate alcohol intake may be acceptable, but large quantities of alcohol combined with Cialis can increase the risk of dizziness and low blood pressure. Discuss with your doctor.
Q: Can I take Cialis 5mg with other PDE-5 inhibitors?
A: No. Do not combine Cialis 5mg with other PDE-5 inhibitors like Sildenafil, Vardenafil, or Avanafil — the combination increases the risk of adverse effects.
Q: What should I do in case of priapism?
A: If you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention. Priapism can cause permanent damage to the penis if not treated promptly.
Q: Are there any serious side effects to watch out for?
A: Rare but serious side effects include sudden vision loss, hearing loss, severe hypotension, or an allergic reaction. Seek medical attention immediately if these occur.