Viagra is one of the most well-known and popular drug names. But did you know that it is not the only drug that treats erectile dysfunction? up to 30 million men experience ed, and many of them use cialis. however, treating erectile dysfunction is not cheap. maintaining a healthy sex life with cialis can add up. To help ease the burden, learn how much cialis costs without insurance and how you can save on your cialis prescription.
what is cialis?
Cialis (tadalafil) is a medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Like other popular erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5 or PDE5I inhibitors). They work, along with sexual stimulation, by relaxing specific muscles in the penis, allowing increased blood flow that results in an erection.
Some people may use cialis (what is cialis?) to treat conditions other than erectile dysfunction. “Cialis is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), erectile dysfunction (ED), pulmonary arterial hypertension, and secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon,” explains Michael J. brown, rph, bcps, bcpp, clinical pharmacist and owner of sunshine nutraceuticals.
related: pills, drugs and medications for erectile dysfunction
cialis is an oral tablet that can be prescribed for daily use or as needed. if taken daily, the dose usually starts at 2.5 mg taken at the same time each day, progressing to maintenance doses of 2.5 mg to 5 mg daily. or, more commonly, when taken as needed before sexual activity, the dose may range from 5 mg to 20 mg and should not be used more than once daily.
side effects
Side effects of cialis are rare, but may include:
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- headaches
- loss of vision or loss of hearing/ringing in the ears (this is a rare but serious side effect, seek immediate medical attention!)
For a complete list of possible side effects, talk to your doctor.
related: medications and treatments for erectile dysfunction
how much does cialis cost without insurance?
a 2019 study published in the journal of the american medical association shows that between 2012 and 2017, the price of cialis more than doubled. in fact, it increased 187% from $127 per month (30-tablet supply) to $365. Depending on the dose, it can vary from 2.5 mg to 20 mg, the cost of cialis can exceed $1341.
In many cases, cialis is not covered by health insurance and medicare part d prescription drug plans. That’s because erectile dysfunction medications are often considered lifestyle-related rather than medically necessary. That said, there are now more insurance policies that cover medications used for erectile dysfunction and other sexual dysfunctions, so always check your policy to see if you are eligible for Cialis coverage.
get pharmacy discount card
how to get cheap cialis without insurance
Fortunately, there are still some ways to save on the otherwise expensive medications used to treat erectile dysfunction, even without insurance.
Here are some ways you can get cheap cialis and discounts on other comparable drugs for education:
1. buy generic tadalafil
Your pharmacist may recommend the generic version of cialis, tadalafil, to help lower the cost per pill of your prescription. Since 2018, Cialis has been available as a generic, making it a more affordable option. buying the generic version instead of the brand name can save you a significant amount of money.
2. use singlecare coupons
Regardless of your insurance status, you can use singlecare to save. the average retail price of brand name cialis can be more than $1,000. however, by opting for generic tadalafil and using a free one-time-care coupon, you can get 30 tadalafil 5mg tablets for just $90. That’s over a thousand dollars saved with a single click!
The difference between paying full cash price for cialis at the pharmacy or using a one-time free coupon can be as much as 80%.
3. check with the manufacturer
Often, drug manufacturers will offer savings programs and coupons to patients in need. For example, you can save on 12 Viagra prescriptions per year with this coupon from the manufacturer, Pfizer. however, many manufacturer coupons and rebates are limited to a specific time period or dollar amount, and some have strict eligibility requirements.
4. buy cialis online
Some people say they can save significantly by buying their prescriptions online. Before you order a drug online, read this article to learn about the risks and what to look for.
5. compare costs with other ed pills
cialis works similarly to other top-of-the-line pde5i’s, but unfortunately there is no standout cheap option, even when considered generics.
For example, the average cost of brand-name viagra is about $150-$200 for a supply of two 100 mg tablets, or less than $50 with a one-time-care coupon.
Two 20-mg levitra tablets, on the other hand, are about $125, reduced to $80 with a one-time care coupon.
Last but not least, you may want to consider stendra. Not yet available as a generic drug, six 200-mg tablets of Stendra average about $500. a singlecare coupon can help reduce this price to close to $400.
