Generic Tadalafil Availability
Yes, generic tadalafil (Cialis) is available. The patent for brand-name Cialis expired in 2017 in the United States, and generic versions have been on the market since then 1.
Background on Generic Availability
- The Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984 established the regulatory framework allowing generic manufacturers to market medications once patents expire, typically after a 20-year monopoly period 1
- When patents expire, generic versions become available at substantially lower prices than brand-name medications 1
- Major brand-name medications like Lipitor (2011) and Plavix (2012) followed this pattern, with Cialis following suit in 2017 1
Generic Tadalafil Formulations
Generic tadalafil tablets are available in the same strengths as brand-name Cialis 2:
- 2.5 mg tablets - light yellow to yellow, oval-shaped, film-coated 2
- 5 mg tablets - light yellow to yellow, oval-shaped, film-coated 2
- 10 mg tablets - light yellow to yellow, oval-shaped, film-coated 2
- 20 mg tablets - light yellow to yellow, oval-shaped, film-coated 2
Clinical Equivalence
- Generic tadalafil maintains the same 17.5-hour half-life as brand-name Cialis, allowing for a 24-hour therapeutic window 3, 4
- The efficacy profile remains identical: approximately 69% of men report successful sexual intercourse attempts versus 33% with placebo 5, 6
- Common adverse effects (headache, flushing, dyspepsia, back pain) occur at the same rates as the brand-name formulation 5, 6
Cost-Effectiveness Implications
- Generic medications for chronic disease prevention are far more cost-effective than brand-name alternatives, potentially saving substantial healthcare costs while maintaining clinical benefits 1
- The availability of generic tadalafil makes long-term treatment for both erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia more accessible 7