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Key takeaways
Cialis is a medication commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction and belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.
The cost of Cialis without insurance has significantly increased, with prices more than doubling between 2012 and 2017, reaching beyond $1341 for some dosages.
Generic tadalafil offers a more affordable option to Cialis, with the possibility of saving more than a thousand dollars through the use of SingleCare coupons and other discounts.
Despite the high cost of ED medications like Cialis, there are several ways to save money, including buying generic versions, using discount cards, checking manufacturer offers, purchasing online, and comparing costs with other ED pills.
Viagra is one of the most well-known, popular drug names. But did you know it’s not the only medication that treats erectile dysfunction? As many as 30 million men experience ED, and many of them use Cialis. However, treating erectile dysfunction isn’t 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 ED drugs including Viagra (sildenafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), Cialis belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors or PDE5i). They work, along with sexual stimulation, by relaxing specific muscles in the penis, allowing for 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, a clinical pharmacist and owner of Sunshine Nutraceuticals.
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Cialis is an oral tablet that may be prescribed for daily use or just as needed. If taken daily, the dosage typically starts at 2.5 mg taken at the same time each day, transitioning to maintenance dosages of 2.5 mg to 5 mg daily. Or, more commonly, when it’s taken as needed before sexual activity, the dose can vary from 5 mg to 20 mg, and should not be used more than once per day.
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Side effects
Side effects of Cialis are rare, but can 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 full list of potential side effects, speak with your doctor.
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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 dosage—it can vary from 2.5 mg to 20 mg—the cost of Cialis can go beyond $1341.
In many cases, health insurance and Medicare Part D prescription plans do not cover Cialis. That’s because ED medications are often considered lifestyle-related rather than medically necessary. That said, more insurance policies are now covering medications used for ED and other sexual dysfunctions, so always check your policy to see if you’re eligible for Cialis coverage.
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How to get cheap Cialis without insurance
Fortunately, there are still some ways to save on the otherwise expensive medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, even without insurance.
Here are some ways you can get cheap Cialis and discounts on other comparable ED medications:
1. Buy generic tadalafil
Your pharmacist may recommend the generic version of Cialis, tadalafil, to help reduce the cost per pill of your prescription. Since 2018, Cialis has been available as a generic, making for a more affordable option. Purchasing the generic rather than brand name version 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 SingleCare coupon, you can get 30, 5 mg tablets of tadalafil for only $90. That’s more than a thousand dollars saved with a simple click!
The difference between paying the full price cash amount for Cialis at the pharmacy or using a free SingleCare coupon can be up to a whopping 80%.
3. Check with the manufacturer
Often, drug manufacturers will offer savings programs and coupons to patients who need it. For example, you can save on 12 prescriptions of Viagra per year with this coupon from the manufacturer, Pfizer. However, many manufacturer coupons and rebates are limited to a specific timeframe or dollar amount, and some have strict eligibility requirements.
4. Buy Cialis online
Some people claim they can save significantly by purchasing their prescription medications online. Before you ever order medicine online, read this article to learn about the risks and know what to look for.
5. Compare costs with other ED pills
Cialis works similarly to other first-line PDE5i’s, but unfortunately there is no standout cheap option, even when considering generics.
For example, the average cost of brand-name Viagra is about $150-$200 for a supply of two, 100 mg tablets, or under $50 with a SingleCare coupon.
Two, 20 mg tablets of Levitra, on the other hand, cost around $125, reduced to $80 with a SingleCare coupon.
Last but not least, you may consider Stendra. Not yet available as a generic drug, six, 200 mg tablets of Stendra have an average cost of close to $500. A SingleCare coupon can help reduce this price to closer to $400.
| ED pill | Generic availability | Dosage | Average cost without insurance | Cost with SingleCare coupon |
| Cialis (tadalafil) | Yes | 30, 5 mg tablets | $1,340+ | $90 |
| Viagra (sildenafil) | Yes | 2, 100 mg tablets | $150-$200 | $50 |
| Levitra (vardenafil) | Yes | 2, 20 mg tablets | $125 | $80 |
| Stendra (avanafil) | No | 6, 200 mg tablets | $500 | $400 |