Table of Contents

I. Fortunately, Your Mealtimes Are Likely to Be Safe

II. Just Be Conservative With the Following Three Items

III. But Food Items Aren't All You Should Concern Yourself With

IV. If You Have Worries About a Particular Item, the Best Thing to Do Is Ask Your Doctor

V. FAQ: Does Cialis work better on an empty stomach?

Everyone loves a good meal and quality time with their partner. After all, sharing food and spending time together can make the day feel more enjoyable.

But what happens when you are taking a medication like Cialis? Cialis can help treat certain conditions, including erectile dysfunction (ED), an enlarged prostate, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. [1] Still, like with any medication, you may wonder whether certain foods or drinks could affect how it works.

You might even worry that eating before intimacy could get in the way of your plans.

Here’s what to keep in mind: most food does not affect how Cialis is absorbed. [1] However, eating a large meal before intimacy may make you feel more tired or sluggish because your body is focused on digestion. Read on to find out which foods affect Cialis and why.

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Fortunately, Your Mealtimes Are Likely to Be Safe

So, does food affect Cialis?

In short, the answer is mostly no. You probably do not need to worry about your average meal interfering with how Cialis works. For most people, Cialis can be taken with or without food. [1]

That means your usual meals are unlikely to be a problem. Whether you are eating a protein-heavy dinner, something higher in carbs, or a lighter meal, food does not appear to change how Cialis is absorbed by the body. [1]

Of course, food is only one part of getting the best results from Cialis. Timing, daily versus as-needed use, and other health factors can also affect your experience. For more on that, read our article “How to Take Cialis for the Best Results.”

So, if you are planning a meal before taking Cialis, your mealtime is likely safe.

But what if your diet looks a little different, or you are wondering about specific foods and drinks?

Just Be Conservative With the Following Three Items

There are only a few foods and drinks that require extra caution when taking Cialis. These include the following:

Grapefruits

The first culprit is the grapefruit.

It may seem strange that a fruit could cause problems with medication. After all, grapefruit and grapefruit juice contain beneficial nutrients, including vitamin C and potassium. However, grapefruit is also known to interact with certain medications. [2]

Your Body’s Enzymes Can’t Always Handle Them

It comes down to how your body processes grapefruit and certain medications.

When you take medication, your body uses enzymes to help break it down. One enzyme involved in breaking down many medications is called CYP3A4. [2]

Grapefruit can interfere with this enzyme and prevent it from working as it should. [2] When that happens, your body may absorb more Cialis than expected, which can raise your risk of unwanted side effects. [3]

Grapefruit Can Also Interfere With Drug Transporter Proteins

Your body does not always rely only on enzymes to process medication. Some medications are moved into the body’s cells by drug transporter proteins. [2]

Grapefruit juice can block these transporters from working properly, which is why some medications become less effective when taken with grapefruit. For Cialis specifically, though, the well-documented concern runs the other way: because grapefruit primarily affects the CYP3A4 enzyme that breaks down tadalafil, the more likely outcome is higher Cialis levels in your body and a greater chance of side effects, not reduced effectiveness. [2] [3]

Related Fruits

Grapefruit isn’t the only fruit that can stop enzymes or drug transporter proteins. Similar citrus fruits, such as Seville oranges, pomelos, and tangelos, can do the same. So, you may want to steer clear of them if you plan on taking Cialis. [2]

Alcohol

Alcohol and Cialis do not seem to directly affect each other’s levels in the body. In other words, Cialis does not appear to change alcohol concentrations, and alcohol does not appear to change tadalafil concentrations. [3]

The real issue is what can happen when their effects overlap. Alcohol can temporarily lower blood pressure and make it harder to get an erection. Cialis can also lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. So, when you drink heavily while taking Cialis, you may have a higher risk of dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up. [3]

A small amount of alcohol may not cause issues for everyone, but excessive drinking can make these side effects more likely. [3] Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you while taking Cialis.

But Food Items Aren't All You Should Concern Yourself With

In general, Cialis is not especially difficult to take around food. For most people, meals are not the main issue, as long as they are careful with grapefruit, similar citrus fruits, and alcohol.

That said, food and drinks are not the only interaction risks to consider. Cialis can also interact with other medications, and some of these interactions can be more serious.

Medications that may interact with Cialis include:

• Nitrates
• Rifampin
• Ketoconazole or itraconazole
• Erythromycin
• Protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir and saquinavir
• Medications used to treat high blood pressure
• Alpha-blockers
• Other ED medications [3]

This is not a complete list of every possible Cialis interaction. Before taking Cialis, tell your doctor about any prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements you use.

If You Have Worries About a Particular Item, the Best Thing to Do Is Ask Your Doctor

Whatever the health-care concern, your doctor can help. After all, they have professional knowledge and experience at their disposal. So, if you’re worried about taking Cialis with other medications or your diet, it's time to book an appointment.

The good news is that Cialis is not affected by most foods. If your doctor says Cialis is right for you, you will likely still have plenty of meals to enjoy without overthinking every bite. Just be careful with grapefruit, similar citrus fruits, alcohol, and any medications your doctor tells you to avoid.

For more background on how Cialis helps treat erectile dysfunction, read our article, “What Is Cialis, and How Does It Work?”

FAQ: Does Cialis work better on an empty stomach?

No, Cialis does not work better on an empty stomach. Food does not affect the rate or extent of tadalafil absorption, which means Cialis can be taken with or without food. Taking it in the morning versus the evening also has no clinically relevant effect on medication absorption.

That said, a very heavy meal before intimacy may still make you feel tired, bloated, or sluggish because your body is focused on digestion. So, while food is not expected to interfere with Cialis itself, meal size and timing can still affect how comfortable you feel. The bigger diet-related concerns are grapefruit, similar citrus fruits, alcohol, and possible medication interactions.

How to time your Cialis dose:

1. Take Cialis exactly as prescribed.
2. Take on-demand Cialis at least 30 minutes before intimacy.
3. Take Cialis with or without food.
4. Choose morning or evening based on your routine.
5. Avoid heavy meals if they make you feel sluggish before intimacy.

DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.