Written by elara veymont, Pharma-D

Medically reviewed by Dr. Aditya Shah, MD

Published October 12, 2026 Updated October 12, 2026

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Vidalista is a generic brand of tadalafil, a prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Tadalafil belongs to a class of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. Vidalista contains the same active ingredient as the branded medicine Cialis, but is manufactured by Centurion Laboratories rather than Eli Lilly. This article explains what Vidalista is, what it is used for, how it works, and the safety information you should know before considering it. It is written for general information only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Vidalista Active Ingredient: Tadalafil Explained

The active ingredient in Vidalista is tadalafil. Tadalafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). It was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 and has since become one of the most widely recognised treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Tadalafil is chemically described as C22H19N3O4 with a molecular weight of 389.41. It is a crystalline solid that is practically insoluble in water and very slightly soluble in ethanol .

As a generic product, Vidalista contains the same active ingredient (tadalafil) as the branded reference product Cialis. The key difference is the manufacturer – Vidalista is made by Centurion Laboratories.

Tadalafil Strengths

Tadalafil is available in multiple strengths, including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and vidalista 20 mg. The appropriate strength depends on the individual patient, the diagnosis, and the prescriber’s instructions. Different strengths are used for different purposes, some are taken as needed before sexual activity, while others are taken once daily. A healthcare professional determines the correct strength for each patient.

What Is Vidalista Used For?

Vidalista (tadalafil) is used for the following FDA-approved indications :

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity. Tadalafil helps improve erectile function by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. It does not cause an erection on its own, sexual stimulation is required for the medicine to work.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Tadalafil is also approved for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, causing urinary difficulties. Tadalafil helps relax the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder, which can improve urinary symptoms .

ED and BPH Together

Tadalafil is approved for the treatment of both ED and the signs and symptoms of BPH in men who have both conditions .

What Vidalista Does Not Do

• It does not automatically create an erection — sexual stimulation is required.
• It does not increase sexual desire or libido.
• It does not permanently cure ED or BPH.
• It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• It is not a recreational medicine or a performance enhancer for men without a diagnosed condition.

How Does Vidalista Work? (Tadalafil Mechanism of Action)

Tadalafil works through a well-understood biological mechanism. Here is the process in simple terms:

1. Sexual stimulation: The brain signals arousal, and nerve endings in the penis release nitric oxide.
2. cGMP production: Nitric oxide triggers the creation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a chemical that relaxes the smooth muscle in the blood vessels of the penis.
3. PDE5 inhibition: Tadalafil blocks the PDE5 enzyme, which normally breaks down cGMP. By inhibiting PDE5, tadalafil allows cGMP to remain active for longer.
4. Increased blood flow: With cGMP levels maintained, the blood vessels remain relaxed, allowing more blood to flow into the penis.
5. Erection: The increased blood flow supports an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

For BPH, tadalafil relaxes the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder, which helps reduce urinary symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently.

Tadalafil Half-Life: Timing and Duration

One of the distinguishing characteristics of tadalafil compared to other PDE5 inhibitors (such as sildenafil) is its longer half-life. The terminal half-life of tadalafil is approximately 17.5 hours in healthy men.

What This Means in Practice

• Onset: Tadalafil may start working within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it, though this varies between individuals.
• Duration: The effects of tadalafil can last up to 36 hours. This is significantly longer than sildenafil (typically 4–6 hours) and is why tadalafil is sometimes referred to as the “weekend pill.” However, this does not mean a continuous erection for 36 hours — it means the medicine remains active in the body and can support an erection if sexual stimulation occurs during that window.
• Food: Tadalafil can be taken with or without food. Unlike some other ED medicines, food does not significantly affect the rate or extent of absorption.
• Frequency: Tadalafil should not be taken more than once per day, regardless of the strength or indication.

The long half-life is the reason some patients and prescribers prefer tadalafil over shorter-acting PDE5 inhibitors, it allows for more spontaneous sexual activity without needing to time the dose precisely. However, the appropriate medicine and dosing schedule must be determined by a healthcare professional.

Vidalista Side Effects

Like all medicines, tadalafil can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The following information is based on the FDA-approved prescribing information for tadalafil.

Common Side Effects

• Headache
• Indigestion or heartburn
• Back pain
• Muscle aches
• Flushing of the face
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Pain in the arms or legs

These side effects are usually mild and tend to pass as the medicine wears off. Back pain and muscle aches, when they occur, typically appear 12 to 24 hours after taking the dose and usually resolve within 48 hours.

Serious Side Effects – Seek Urgent Medical Attention

• Prolonged or painful erection (priapism): An erection lasting more than 4 hours is a medical emergency. It can cause permanent damage to the penis if not treated. Seek emergency care immediately.
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes: This may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that causes sudden vision loss. Stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention.
• Sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears: Stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention.
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat: Seek emergency medical care.
• Severe allergic reaction: Rash, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency care.
• Dizziness or fainting: Especially when standing up quickly, which may indicate low blood pressure.

If you experience any of these serious side effects, stop taking the medicine and seek immediate medical attention.

Tadalafil Precautions and Contraindications

Who Should Not Take Tadalafil

You should not take Vidalista (tadalafil) if you :

• Take nitrates in any form – including nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or amyl nitrite (“poppers”). The combination with tadalafil can cause a dangerous, potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
• Take riociguat (Adempas) – a medicine for pulmonary arterial hypertension. The combination is contraindicated.
• Are allergic to tadalafil or any ingredient in the product.
• Have been advised by a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity due to cardiovascular conditions.

Speak With a Healthcare Professional First If You:

• Have heart disease, recent heart attack, recent stroke, or irregular heartbeat
• Have low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have a history of vision loss, including NAION
• Have conditions that predispose to priapism (sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, multiple myeloma)
• Have a deformed penis (such as Peyronie’s disease)
• Take alpha-blockers (medicines for high blood pressure or prostate conditions)
• Take blood-pressure medicines
• Take medicines metabolised by CYP3A4
• Are over 65 years of age

Tadalafil and Alpha-Blockers

If you take alpha-blockers (medicines used to treat high blood pressure or prostate symptoms), tadalafil can increase the risk of low blood pressure, causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Your healthcare provider may recommend starting tadalafil at a lower dose and monitoring your blood pressure.

Tadalafil and Alcohol

Both tadalafil and alcohol can lower blood pressure. When combined, they may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, particularly when standing up quickly. Limit alcohol when taking tadalafil and discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider.

Tadalafil Drug Interactions

Tadalafil can interact with several types of medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements.

What to Tell Your Doctor

Before starting tadalafil, tell your healthcare provider about:

• All current medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements
• Any previous drug allergies
• Your full medical history, especially heart, liver, kidney, and eye conditions
• Whether you have ever had a prolonged erection
• Whether you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding (tadalafil is not approved for use in women for ED)

Vidalista in Australia: Regulatory Status

In Australia, tadalafil is classified as a Schedule 4 (S4) Prescription Only Medicine. This means a valid prescription from a qualified healthcare professional (such as a doctor) is required to obtain tadalafil from a licensed Australian pharmacy.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Cialis (manufactured by Eli Lilly) as a registered tadalafil product on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Generic tadalafil products are also registered on the ARTG.

Vidalista is not TGA-approved and is not registered on the ARTG. It is not part of the regulated Australian medicine supply chain. Vidalista-branded products may be available through online sources, but these operate outside the TGA-regulated framework.

What This Means for Australian Consumers

• Prescription required: Tadalafil is a prescription medicine in Australia. Any source offering tadalafil-containing products without a prescription should be treated with caution.
• Not TGA-approved: Vidalista has not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety, and efficacy. Products purchased from unverified sources may carry risks including counterfeit products, incorrect dosing, and lack of medical oversight.
• Verify the source: Always verify the regulatory status of any medicine through official Australian resources, such as the TGA website or healthdirect.gov.au.
• Consult a healthcare professional: If you are experiencing ED or any related condition, speak with a doctor. They can assess whether tadalafil is appropriate for you and provide a prescription that can be filled at a licensed Australian pharmacy.

Do not assume that a product containing tadalafil is equivalent to a TGA-registered medicine simply because it contains the same active ingredient. The TGA assesses registered medicines for quality, safety, and efficacy – unregistered products have not undergone this assessment.

Medical Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a doctor before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine. This article does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Vidalista is not TGA-approved in Australia and is not part of the regulated Australian medicine supply chain.

Sources:

• FDA-approved Cialis (tadalafil) prescribing information, DailyMed, National Library of Medicine
• Tadalafil, StatPearls, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
• TGA scheduling basics — Schedule 4 (Prescription Only Medicine)
• healthdirect.gov.au, Cialis (tadalafil) product information
• TGA, CIALIS tadalafil 5 mg tablet — ARTG entry
• TGA, Prescription medicines and the ARTG