Cialis and Alcohol Interactions

It’s date night, you’ve had a couple of glasses of wine, and now the bedroom is calling your names. But wait. You got a new prescription for Cialis earlier this week. Is it safe to take it after drinking wine? Should you take your chances or hold off? 

Hopefully, you’re reading this before you find yourself frantically pacing and Googling answers in the bathroom. Fortunately, you’re not the only one who has ever asked this question, and we have answers. In this blog, we’ll cover all you need to know about the interactions between Cialis and alcohol.

Cialis: An Overview

Cialis is a brand name of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5) known as tadalafil. Much like its cousin, Viagra (sildenafil), it’s mainly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It works by boosting the chemicals the body naturally produces during arousal. The main difference is that Cialis stays in the body longer (up to 36 hours) than Viagra.

The general guideline is to take Cialis at least 30 minutes before sexual activity, but not more than once daily. It’s generally proven safe and effective, but it may come with unwanted, mood-killing side effects like headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle pain, flushing, or even a stuffy nose. If it’s any encouragement, the muscle aches usually come 12-24 hours after taking it.

The most important side effect to be aware of is the tendency for Cialis to lower your blood pressure, which is particularly important where alcohol is involved.

Alcohol’s Effects on the Body

We’ve all seen what happens when someone throws back a few too many drinks. Word vomit, actual vomit, and impromptu table dances are some of the most common consequences (according to Hollywood, anyway). Drunk driving accidents are among the more tragic consequences. How do a few drinks lead to such chaos? 

When ethanol, the main intoxicating ingredient in alcohol, enters the bloodstream, it affects nearly every vital system and organ. At first, we get the familiar “buzz” that helps us let loose and relax, but if we keep drinking beyond that, chaos ensues. It fogs our central nervous system, leading to impaired coordination and judgment. It overwhelms our liver, affecting metabolism and long-term liver health. It disrupts our hormones, our heart, and our immune system. And most people don’t realize it, but it also wreaks havoc on our reproductive system, which we’ll get into later.

Taking Cialis with Alcohol

So what happens when you take Cialis before or after drinking alcohol? How do tadalafil and alcohol interact?

As a general rule, keep in mind that ethanol can affect any drug. It can affect metabolism and absorption, increase side effects, and more. When it comes to tadalafil specifically, there are a couple of interactions to be aware of: 

• Delayed metabolism. Our liver is responsible for breaking down substances such as alcohol and medications. The liver will always prioritize breaking down alcohol over other substances. What does that mean for us if we’re taking Cialis? In a nutshell, it means it will stay in our system longer, which could decrease its efficacy and increase the duration of its effects (and side effects).

• Increased vasodilation. Alcohol and tadalafil are both vasodilators, meaning they both lower blood pressure. If we combine the two, our blood pressure could drop to dangerous levels, causing headaches, dizziness, and fainting (plus any related injuries). Given the general purpose of Cialis, you can imagine how that could change your plans for the evening. 

While neither of these interactions is necessarily life-threatening, it’s important to be aware of and plan for them to avoid further complications. Now, let’s get to the burning question. 

Can You Drink Alcohol With Cialis?

If you have a clean bill of health, and Cialis is the only drug you’re taking, sipping on a glass of wine at dinner likely won’t cause any problems. Throwing back whiskey shots on an empty stomach, however, could be a different story with or without Cialis in the picture. Here are some general guidelines to help you plan a safe night out or in.

Safe Zone (1-2 drinks)

If you have a drink or two before or after taking Cialis, it probably won’t cause any problems. There is no known interaction (like pain pills and alcohol) that would make the mixture inherently dangerous.

Decreased Effectiveness (3-4 drinks)

If you drink more than two, it might decrease the effectiveness of Cialis and/or increase the likelihood of its side effects. Either way, it could definitely put a damper on date night.

Danger Zone (5 or more drinks)

If you drink five or more drinks within two hours, (classified as binge drinking), it could lead to several serious health problems and poor decisions (and possibly fewer date nights in the future). When combined with Cialis, the main concern with binge drinking is a sudden drop in blood pressure, known as orthostatic hypotension. 

When it comes to alcohol, less is always safer, especially when other medications are involved. 

Alcohol and Sexual Health

If mixing Cialis and alcohol is a concern for you, it might be worth exploring how alcohol affects our sexual health. Research shows that persistent alcohol use is directly linked to sexual dysfunction, ranging from decreased libido to physical difficulties. If that’s the case, could quitting alcohol help resolve the need for Cialis? Let’s find out.

There are many different causes of ED, from illness to medications to emotional issues. Whatever the reason, alcohol can make matters worse.


• Alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, which slows down the chemical messengers that travel from the brain to other parts of the body. This is why our speech slurs and our feet stumble. Likewise, alcohol can make it difficult for a man to get or maintain an erection.

• Alcohol affects testosterone levels. While small amounts of alcohol can increase testosterone (and libido), studies show that heavy or chronic alcohol use can decrease testosterone, leading to sexual dysfunction.

• Alcohol affects fertility. Sexual dysfunction alone can interfere with fertility, but heavy alcohol use also diminishes sperm quality, making it more difficult to conceive. This can be good news for some, but it can be devastating news for those who are trying to conceive. 

• Alcohol affects relationships. While “hookup culture” might make it appear that alcohol boosts your sex life, real relationships affected by alcohol misuse tell us otherwise. Studies have shown that heavy alcohol use decreases relationship satisfaction and increases marital distress, neither of which is conducive to a healthy sex life. 

To sum up, while we can’t say that quitting or even cutting back on alcohol will cure ED, we can confidently say it will help. 

Safely Improve Sexual Health

Fortunately, there are things you can do to stay safe while your mind adjusts to a new way of thinking. 


• Take Cialis as prescribed. Nothing less, nothing more. For every guideline and warning on a prescription label, there’s a study or incident to back it up. Don’t find out the hard way why they are there.
• Plan carefully. When you’re planning a date that involves drinking, plan out the timing of your drinks (and meals) so there’s not much in your system when it’s time to take Cialis. 
• Know the signs of low blood pressure. If you’re drinking while taking Cialis, pay attention to your body’s signals. If you get a headache or start feeling dizzy, stop drinking and find a place to sit down as soon as possible to avoid falling.
• Eat and sleep well. A healthy diet and sleep pattern can both affect hormone levels, stress levels, and other factors that can contribute to ED. Better overall health will lead to better sexual health. 
• Limit alcohol intake. If alcohol has become a third wheel (or worse — the main character) on all your dates, it might be time to reconsider or “reframe” your relationship with it. Reframe is here to guide you every step of the way with neuroscience-backed programs to help you reach your goals. 


Above all, be sure to repair and/or nourish your relationships, whether they be sexual or not. Stronger relationships lead to greater satisfaction and well-being in all areas of your life. 

Alcohol and Cialis in Sum

While mixing alcohol and Cialis isn’t inherently life-threatening, it could lead to dangerous blood pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, alcohol could counteract the effects of Cialis. If you’re looking to improve your sexual health, nourish your body with good sleep and nutrition, and nurture the relationships that mean the most to you. And as always, pay close attention to new symptoms and seek medical advice when needed. We’re here to help and cheer you on!