Tadalafil (Cialis): Any advice to manage muscle aches?
Hi everyone,
Ahead of surgery in three weeks, I started a low dose regimen of daily 5mg of Tadalifil . I've started getting one of the known side effects where I suffer muscle pain (mainly my thighs/quad muscles in the legs and my shoulder muscles). I would describe it as a deep muscle ache. It's annoying enough that I haven't gotten great sleep the past couple of nights. I did wake up last night and took some Tylenol and that helped.
Question: Any strategies for dealing with tadalis induced muscle ache? Does it go away? Should I switch from taking it at night to the morning?
Thanks for any advice!
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Connect

@tattodice Super happy for you and really good info for everyone to know that 2.5mg can do good things too.
@climateguy Interesting. I had a similar experience of deep muscle ache, made more intense by inactivity or actual physical workouts. Took a pause on Tadalifil and switched to taking it in the morning and o problems since.
@daveycross Definitely! Did a quick online search and it does appear to be a known interaction....but hadn't heard where the discomfort was localized.
I refuse to take anything that is going to make me miserable. I’ve started drinking beetroot powder mixed in a 16oz bottle of cold water. It has helped elevate my nitric oxide level which in return has helped with my overall blood flow and the neuropathy in my feet. I also take Ashwagandha with my supper. The Ashwagandha helps with mood and relaxation which also helps me sleep better without waking up feeling drugged. Most mornings I wakeup with the feeling my erections are gradually coming back. I’m 71 and I had my robotic prostectomy August 2025. My recovery has been fantastic and a lot quicker than I expected. I do have type II diabetes and do take metformin which causes the neuropathy in my feet. The doctor prescribed 1 tablet twice a day but I only took 1/2 a tablet once a day for the last 5-6 years. 4 different endocrinologist told the 1/2 once a day was working fine for me. However I did just recently start taking 1 whole tablet once a day since my A1C was a little elevated on my last checkup. There are a lot of good herbal replacements for medicines and if my situation does not require a prescription medication I try to go herbal. I’m trying to save my kidneys, liver and other bodily organs including my brain. Good luck on your venture to recovery.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@fritzo The discomfort was located groin area ,kidney area.Especially severe on lying down.When I return to Uk I continue with out doxycycline use because no malaria here and just take 5mg cialis .The pain and discomfort disappeared. have done this on several occasions so it has to be the combination of.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@daveycross I'm sure it's tough for the doctors....seems like drug side effects are crazy variable among patients. But, knowing that doxy plus cialis is a known issue, guess it's good to warn folks.
@drbbuddy Yes, kidney function and the impact of processing all of the various drugs is a long-range issue on kidney health. So glad you're finding alternatives that are working. I, like most, are just navigating the short term and probably don't think that far into the future.
It's an issue for my wife, who has PH, but it's been 26 years on meds, so kidney numbers are changing for her. But, glad she's done so well for 26 years.
I'm 2 3/4 month post surgery and making good progress...but know it will take time. So, yeah for patience.
After prostectomy I started taking Cialis 5 days ago and for past three nights I haven’t been able to sleep properly due to pain in my legs. I took 2 Tylenols last night and went for a massage which helped in sleeping. Today I read that Cialis is the reason for this. Would anyone please advise if I should discontinue it it will get better after some time.
Thanks
Thanks
I had the same at tadalafil 5 mg daily. Doc dropped it to 2.5 mg. I tolerated this dose. It has been effective for rehab. Advise to speak with your doc.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@ajayb I had similar pain. I read in the studies that it is often worse when you take close to a time when you'll be resting and not moving much.
I switched to taking it first thing in the morning and that did the trick for me. Never had pain after making the switch in time. I also think that my body acclimated.
Good luck and solving the issue. Docs can also prescribe regular Viagra instead of the Tadalafil.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions