# Tadalafil in Nigeria

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/tadalafil/
- Drug class: PDE5 inhibitor (Sexual Health)
- Also known as: Cialis
- Prescription required: yes
- Last updated: July 2026

## Price in Nigeria

Tadalafil prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.

## What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil — best known as Cialis — is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in the same family as sildenafil (Viagra), the PDE5 inhibitors. Its distinctive feature is how long it lasts: up to about 36 hours, which is why it is nicknamed the 'weekend pill'. In Nigeria it is sold as branded Cialis and as many cheaper generics, and — like sildenafil — it is a major target for counterfeiters.

Tadalafil works by relaxing blood vessels so that, with sexual stimulation, more blood flows into the penis to produce and maintain an erection. It does not create desire. Because it stays active far longer than sildenafil, it can be taken well ahead of sex without careful timing, and food and moderate alcohol affect it less. It can also be used as a small daily dose, which keeps it in the system so sex can be more spontaneous — and that low daily dose is also used to ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

The same cautions as for all ED drugs apply, and strongly. Tadalafil must never be combined with nitrate heart medicines or recreational 'poppers', as the blood-pressure drop can be fatal. Erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, so a doctor's check is wise rather than just treating the symptom. And because it is expensive as a brand and easy to fake, counterfeit 'Cialis' is widespread in markets and online — buy only from a licensed pharmacy and verify the NAFDAC number.

## What is Tadalafil used for?

- Erectile dysfunction — a long-acting option (up to ~36 hours)
- Daily low-dose use for men who want spontaneity rather than timed dosing
- Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), sometimes alongside ED
- An alternative for men who find sildenafil too short-acting or poorly tolerated

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: For on-demand erectile dysfunction, the usual dose is 10mg taken at least 30 minutes before sex, adjustable to 5mg or 20mg, and no more than once a day. For more spontaneity, a low daily dose (2.5mg or 5mg) can be taken at the same time each day instead. Sexual stimulation is still needed. Its effect can last up to 36 hours, so it does not need precise timing before sex.
- Children: Not used in children.
- Elderly: Older men, and those with liver, kidney, or heart conditions, should be assessed by a doctor and may start at a lower dose.

Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours. Do not combine with nitrate medicines or 'poppers'. Because it lasts a long time, remember it is still active the next day when considering other medicines or alcohol. If ED persists, see a doctor to check for underlying causes rather than simply repeating the tablet.

## Side effects

Common: Headache; Indigestion or reflux; Back pain or muscle aches (more characteristic of tadalafil, usually 12-24 hours after the dose); Facial flushing; Stuffy or runny nose.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): An erection that is painful or lasts more than 4 hours (priapism) — seek emergency care; Sudden loss or decrease of vision in one or both eyes; Sudden loss or reduction of hearing; Chest pain, fainting, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat during sex — stop and seek urgent care; Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing.

When to see a doctor: Seek emergency care for an erection lasting over 4 hours, sudden vision or hearing loss, or chest pain and fainting. See a doctor before use if you have heart disease or take heart/blood-pressure medicines, and see one anyway for ongoing ED, since it can be an early sign of a treatable heart or metabolic condition.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Never take with nitrate heart medicines (e.g. GTN) or recreational 'poppers' (amyl nitrite) — risk of a fatal blood-pressure drop; Do not use with riociguat or other guanylate cyclase stimulators; Avoid after a recent heart attack or stroke, with unstable angina, or with very low or uncontrolled high blood pressure — seek medical advice first; Use cautiously with severe liver or kidney disease, or a history of the eye condition NAION; Do not use if you are allergic to tadalafil.

Interactions: Nitrates and poppers — absolutely contraindicated; Alpha-blockers (blood-pressure and prostate medicines) — added blood-pressure lowering; care with timing and dose; Some antifungals, certain antibiotics, and HIV protease inhibitors raise tadalafil levels — a lower dose may be needed; Alcohol adds to blood-pressure lowering and worsens erections; Do not combine with other ED medicines.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Tadalafil for erectile dysfunction is a men's medicine and does not apply to pregnancy or breastfeeding.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Cialis (Eli Lilly, made in United Kingdom).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/tadalafil/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Buy only from a licensed pharmacy — counterfeit 'Cialis' and tadalafil are widespread in Nigerian markets and on social media
2. Check the NAFDAC registration number and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
3. Reject tablets sold loose or in unlabelled sachets, or packs with spelling errors, blurry printing, or missing batch/expiry details
4. For genuine Cialis (Eli Lilly), check the yellow almond-shaped tablet and Lilly's branding; be wary of odd colours, shapes, or crumbly tablets
5. Be very cautious of unlabelled 'strong man' capsules and herbal mixtures, which are unverified and may hide harmful ingredients
6. Assume suspiciously cheap or aggressively marketed online offers are fake

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### How long does tadalafil (Cialis) last?

This is tadalafil's main selling point: a single dose can work for up to about 36 hours, far longer than sildenafil's few hours — which is why it is nicknamed the 'weekend pill'. That means you do not have to time the tablet closely before sex, and it allows more spontaneity. There is also a low daily dose that keeps a steady level in the body so no planning is needed at all. As with all these medicines, you still need sexual stimulation for it to work.

### How much does Cialis or tadalafil cost in Nigeria?

Prices vary hugely by brand and pack. Generic tadalafil is relatively affordable — often a couple of thousand naira for a small pack — while branded Cialis (Eli Lilly) is much more expensive, with multi-tablet packs running to tens of thousands of naira. That wide gap between cheap generics and pricey branded packs is one reason counterfeits are common, so buy from a licensed pharmacy and verify the NAFDAC number rather than trusting the cheapest street or online offer.

### Should I choose tadalafil or sildenafil?

Both treat erectile dysfunction the same basic way; the main difference is duration. Sildenafil (Viagra) is taken about an hour before sex and lasts a few hours, working best on an empty stomach. Tadalafil (Cialis) lasts up to 36 hours, is less affected by food, and can be taken daily for spontaneity. Some men prefer the long window of tadalafil; others get on better with sildenafil, or find one has fewer side effects for them. It is worth discussing with a doctor, who can also check for the underlying causes of ED.

### Can tadalafil help with an enlarged prostate?

Yes — a low daily dose of tadalafil is used to ease the urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), such as a weak stream or frequent urination, and it can treat erectile dysfunction at the same time, which is convenient for men who have both. It is not a cure for prostate enlargement and does not shrink the prostate, but it can relieve symptoms. A doctor should confirm the diagnosis and decide whether this is the right treatment for you.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)