Timing of Tadalafil 20 mg Before Sexual Activity
For tadalafil 20 mg taken as needed, you should take it at least 30 minutes before anticipated sexual activity, though you can take it anywhere from 30 minutes up to several hours before, as it remains effective for up to 36 hours. 1
Optimal Timing Window
- The FDA label specifies taking tadalafil at least 30 minutes prior to anticipated sexual activity 1
- Sexual stimulation is required for tadalafil to work—the medication alone will not produce an erection 1
- Tadalafil remains effective for up to 36 hours after dosing, giving you substantial flexibility in timing 1, 2
Evidence on Timing Flexibility
- Clinical trials demonstrate that tadalafil 20 mg significantly improves erectile function at both 24 hours (67.3% success rate vs 41.8% placebo) and 36 hours (61.9% success rate vs 32.8% placebo) after dosing 2
- In real-world use, most patients (≥79%) attempted intercourse at least once during the 4-36 hour window after taking tadalafil, and ≥53% attempted intercourse during the 12-36 hour window 3
- About 58% of patients took advantage of the extended duration by attempting intercourse at both early intervals (>1 to ≤4 hours) and later intervals (>12 to ≤36 hours) after separate doses, demonstrating that the medication allows spontaneous sexual activity without rigid scheduling 3
Practical Considerations
- You can take tadalafil with or without food—meals do not affect absorption 1
- Do not take more than one dose per day, regardless of when you plan sexual activity 1
- The American Urological Association notes that many treatment "failures" occur because patients don't allow adequate sexual stimulation or take the medication at suboptimal times 4