When will Cialis (tadalafil) go generic and how can you buy it? An online guide

Ever since Viagra patent expired in 2013 and generic Sildenafil stormed the markets, it was clear that generic versions of impotence medicines were a huge business success. It was a kind of a win-win situation, not only did the new manufacturers managed to create significant revenue, but the customers could now purchase the same medicine but at a significantly lower price. Since then, it was just a matter of time before other impotence pills also went generic.

With Cialis patent expiring by the end of 2017, attention of both patients and pharmacological giants is occupied by the question “what after”. Are there any signs that Cialis, “the weekend pill” will go generic too, just like its predecessor? What can we expect? And finally, for those less familiars with the specifics of the drugs market, what are generic drugs anyways?

In this article, we will explore these questions in depth.

What’s on this page?

What are generic medicines?

Usually, when a pharmaceutical company starts developing a new drug, it is usually marketed, sold and patented under a brand name, which doesn’t have to correspond to the name of the active ingredient – which was the case with Viagra, based on the active ingredient sildenafil. The brand name that the medicine was initially sold under is usually called “the original” drug. This form of the medicine is protected as a patent, meaning that only the pharmaceutical company that holds the patent and that originally manufactured the medicine can continue to produce and sell it. However, once the patent expires for a certain drug, other competitors may join in.

Any pharmaceutical company can apply to manufacture and sell generic version of a drug which patent has expired, provided that they can guarantee bioequivalence with the original product. This means that the generic version of the medicine must:

• Have the same efficiency as the branded (original) drug
• Contain the same active ingredient as the original
• Be used in the same dose as the original for the treatment of the same conditions
• Have the same route of administration as the original
• Be manufactured according to the same standards as the original
• Have the same pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as the original

What is Cialis (tadalafil) and how it works?

Cialis is an impotence pill, belonging to PDE-5 inhibitors group of pharmaceutical compounds, just like Viagra, meaning it shares its mechanism of action with the famous “little blue pill”. But, unlike sildenafil, tadalafil, the active ingredient of Cialis, is an extremely potent substance, producing effects that can last up to 36 hours, thus earning the nickname “the weekend pill”. As such, Cialis is currently the longest-lasting ED treatment available on the market, with both the regular and Cialis Once Daily forms being available.

Just like other PDE-5 inhibitors Cialis works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type 5 enzymes in order to ensure the prevalence of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP for short. This molecule, in turns, plays a vital role in widening of the blood vessels within the penis and subsequent increase in blood inflow which is the primary erectile mechanism.

What are the differences between Cialis and Generic Cialis (Tadalafil)?

In order for any pharmaceutical company to get the legal rights to manufacture generic version of Cialis, they need to prove that their product is identical to the original in all the aspects – with those most important being already mentioned above. This means that the only noticeable difference between the two should be the packaging and the price.

While original Cialis is manufactured by Eli Lilly, this company will probably change focus to Trulicity GLP-1 diabetes drug¹, leaving the generic Cialis to some other manufacturer. There have been speculations that this shift was caused by the appearance of generic Viagra which is significantly cheaper than not only original, but Cialis, too. With decrease in revenue, Eli Lilly decided to let Cialis continue its development in generic form, while focusing on other medicines as primary source of profit.

Can you buy generic Cialis online?

The generic version will be sold within the same legal framework as the branded original version. This means that it will be possible to buy generic Cialis online, but only through a certified online clinic. In this way, you will be able to talk with a medical professional and fill in a medical questionnaire that will then be used to determine whether you’re suitable for treatment. Once the doctor gives you the green light, the medicine will be shipped to your address.

Can you buy generic Cialis without a prescription?

No, just like the original, branded version, generic Cialis too will be sold as a prescription only medicine. Any vendor that might offer Cialis without prescription, no matter if it’s the branded or generic version either obtained the medicine illegally or is selling a fake. The number of “copycats” in the impotence pills industry is very high and it is important to ensure that you won’t buy any of the fake pills which can potentially be rather dangerous!

Will Tadalafil Daily be available?

Yes, the manufacturers that have shown interest in generic Cialis have already announced that a generic version of Cialis Once Daily, called Tadalafil Daily, will also be available. Tadalafil Daily will, just like the original it was based on, rely on the long-lasting effect of tadalafil in order to provide the customers with an easy to use medicine that will, for all intents and purposes, eliminate their ED problems. While taking regular doses of Tadalafil Daily, men will be completely confident that they are ready for action 24/7.

Are there any known generic Cialis side effects?

In order to prove that it is identical to the original, generic Cialis was clinically tested on numerous occasions, so side effects are well documented. The most trustworthy study included 1173 men with average age of 57 (ranging from 23 to 83)² and yielded significant results. The doses of 5mg, 10mg and 20mg were tested over the period of 18 to 24 months and the scientists involved confirmed the safety and efficiency of generic Cialis in long-term clinical management of ED. Most common side effects documented are presented in the table below.

Out of all patients who reported side effects, 88% of them classified them as mild, with only 12% as severe.

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