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Cialis and Headaches: What Users Say

Headaches: mentioned by 80 users (14.4%)

Based on user experiences from 554 Cialis reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

headaches 14.4%
back pain 7.4%
pain 3.6%
runny nose 3.4%
flushing 3.1%
stuffy nose 1.8%
heartburn 1.6%
anxiety 1.1%
muscle pain 1.1%
erectile dysfunction 0.9%

Reviews for Cialis

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Raz...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 3, 2021

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 40 years old, mild ED past few years. First 5mg dose I took, it was solid as a rock within 1/2 hour, felt very full and stayed hard as long as I wanted, didn't want it to stop, was like a new toy. Was able to j/o 3 times that day and then get down to it with the other half that night with the same rock-solid hardness every single time. I j/o a lot as I have a higher sex drive. Definitely makes it look bigger when flaccid and the slightest bit of arousal can get it solid if I want it to. Incredible morning wood every day. Headache and lower back ache when taking for the first 3 months but now 12 months of use and no side effects."

10 / 10
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207 Report
  • DGC...
  • October 23, 2016

For Erectile Dysfunction "I am a 36-year-old male with a high-pressure career. I exercise 5 times a week, eat strictly organic foods, etc. I had some issues concentrating during sex where I might lose my erection or not feel the desire when I should. If I was alone and masturbating, no problem. Hard as a rock. Due to work stress, the ED then added to the stress. I went to the doctor, and my issue was psychological ED. After some trial with the dosage, I find that 15mg on a night that I know I'm going to have sex is a win. Best erections I've ever had, if my mind wanders, the erection stays, and I get focused again. Also, seems to have a little blood in the penis at all times which helps with initial stimulation and a bigger look all the time. I get a headache sometimes."

10 / 10
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214 Report
  • Bix...
  • December 19, 2014

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "My doctor prescribed me 5mg daily Cialis for BPH. I took the medication the first night and got a terrible headache and muscular pains. I kept taking the medication for 5 more days and I stopped due to the side effects. I stopped taking any BPH meds for 3 days and I decided to give Cialis another try. This time I took an Aleve Liquid Gel about 30 minutes before I took Cialis and I didn't have any side effects at all. I took an Aleve for the next 4 days and then I quit taking that Aleve and haven't had any bad side effects at all. I would encourage anyone that has trouble with this medication to give it a little time before giving up on it. I'm sure glad I did. I starting noticing improvement in my BPH symptoms within a week."

9 / 10
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224 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • McM...
  • August 15, 2015

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Now 61, for four years I have suffered a reduction of urinary flow and an increased urge to urinate due to BPH. Frequently, this would result in near sleepless nights as I arose every hour to urinate. Also, each urination would be accompanied by some pain or burning. Doctor encourages homeopathic remedies and for a few months, I got some relief from taking SAW PALMETTO. However, this effect was short-lived and soon all my symptoms returned. Doctor next recommended Flomax (tamsulosin). This failed due to two side effects; headache and loss of erections. We finally tried a 5mg dose of daily Cialis. What a difference! My urinary problems have nearly vanished while experiencing only minor acceptable side effects."

10 / 10
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164 Report
  • hap...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2013

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have enlarged prostate and erections that are about half erect. I was allergic to all other meds that treat this. Dr. suggested 5 mg Cialis. I'm ecstatic at the results. My erections are harder than ever. And urinating like a 20-year-old again. And best of all, my insurance company pays for all, no co-pay because it's the only medicine I can take for this. I've never been this happy. The only side effect is a very mild headache at first. It only lasts a few minutes."

10 / 10
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184 Report

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  • joh...
  • March 15, 2015

For Erectile Dysfunction "I got a three-pill sample from my doc, 20mg a pill. I cut them in half to 10mg halves. I have experienced the stuffy nose, slight headache, and hot flashes. But man, the pill really works. Hard as a rock is an understatement."

10 / 10
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176 Report
  • 1ha...
  • May 24, 2014

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 47, and in my mind I'm just as sexually hungry as I was in my 20s, but my penis wasn't keeping up with my brain. I FINALLY broke down and asked the doc for Cialis. I took one 20mg pill Thursday morning and WOW! It is now Saturday morning and just talking about it is making me stiff. I had sex on Thursday afternoon and my partner could not believe it, and neither can I. We had sex 4 times in 3 hours and I had orgasms each time. Another amazing thing is that I only get hard when it's time to get going, but completely normal in between. The only side effect I had was a slight headache at first but then it subsided. I highly recommend."

10 / 10
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146 Report

More FAQ

  • Kra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 23, 2014

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm a 31-year-old male. Physiologically healthy but with a whole load of stress and anxiety. I've suffered from erectile dysfunction since becoming sexually active. Viagra was a big help but even at a low dosage, I found the side effects intense - nasal congestion and headaches, often so intrusive they ruined the sex. I've tried Cialis a couple of times now. At a dosage of 20mg, it keeps me in a state of almost constant arousal, complete with spontaneous erections at embarrassing times, for 30 hours. My dosage is obviously way too high, and I will lower it. But at this high level, I have suffered no side effects, amazing! The sex is very natural, I am really very impressed."

10 / 10
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134 Report
  • Fir...
  • July 30, 2014

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm a 41-year-old with all the stresses and pressures of a man. I took 10mg (I halve a 20mg). I do get some redness flushes in the face and a slight headache the first time I took it. The results are good. I feel like it helps with holding back ejaculation to some degree. I get a good strong erection and after some intense foreplay and sex, I had my first orgasm. I was able to maintain an erection for another orgasm and even attempted a third! My wife wasn't up to it, which was a good sign that we had both had a great time. She wasn't keen initially on me taking them but as a special occasion, I think she won't put up a fight! I have the side effect of remaining quite full, and my penis looks larger in a natural state."

9 / 10
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116 Report
  • Ink...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • September 11, 2017

For Erectile Dysfunction "Age 68. I have taken Cialis for 6 years. My first dose was 10mg. It worked way better than Levitra. However, 20mg makes me better than I was at 20. I tried taking the 5mg daily, but really can't afford the $337 per month. The 5mg daily gave me the ability to achieve and maintain an erection any time. I now take 10mg every 72 hours. I get really great erections and my wife, 65, likes it. It works after 30 minutes on an empty stomach, but the full effect takes about 2 hours. It works great for 36 hours, and not too bad for another 24 hours, and just okay erections until I take 10mg again after 72 hours. A slight headache and/or backache sometimes occurs, but nothing too serious."

9 / 10
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93 Report
  • Mik...
  • December 14, 2016

For Erectile Dysfunction "I take Cialis daily 5mg. I have been on it for 3 months. I did everything in the book to help my erections from eating well, exercising, testosterone therapy, etc. None of it helped my erections become stable and dependable. So, because my erections were 50/50, I suffered emotionally, and it made it worse. When I started taking Cialis, I began at 2.5mg. Symptoms were back pain and headaches for a while. It took about a week, and my erections improved. Over the 3 months, I increased to 5mg. Side effects are little to none. At this dosage, I get an erection every time, and it has not failed me. If you suffer from mild to moderate erection issues like I had, don't hesitate to give it a try. Side effects suck at first for me anyway, but they go away."

9 / 10
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92 Report
  • OH ...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 29, 2014

For Erectile Dysfunction "As recommended by my urologist, I began taking the 20mg pill every 2 days. After about 2 doses, I began to have a horrible back ache and headache. I stopped taking it for about a week and the joint pain faded away. I reported this to my doctor and he recommended cutting the pill into 3 parts. Now I take 1/3 every other day with no side effects. Erections are strong and last as long as necessary. Also works for 2 days consistently regardless of how many times I get an erection in that time. Wife and I both can't believe it works so well and produces such 'big' results!"

10 / 10
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104 Report
  • Swe...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 20, 2015

For Erectile Dysfunction "This just transformed my life. Were this pill to be subsidized by all governments, crime rates would drop, depression in both males and females would diminish - paradise. Little blushing at first, slightly heavy head - but then: stamina! 43 y.o., very fit, Erectile Dysfunction since sex debut. Overnight all problems solved. There is only one thing I'd like to tell the scientists behind this: THANK YOU."

10 / 10
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101 Report
  • Nau...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 18, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have been taking Cialis Daily (5mg) for about two years. When first diagnosed by my Urologist, he prescribed Cialis. At the time, it was just approved by FDA to treat BPH. My insurance, TRICARE, would not authorize it until I had tested other drugs designed to treat the condition. The two drugs tested caused very noticeable and uncomfortable side effects. Flomax and Avodart caused conditions such as severe urinary burning, headaches, and digestive discomfort. Both were used for two weeks each. Finally, I was approved for Cialis. Almost immediately, I would say in less than a week, my BPH symptoms subsided significantly. Urination need decreased and became easier. I suffer from Rosacea, and this accentuated the blushing quite a bit."

9 / 10
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78 Report
  • Bot...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 20, 2025

For Erectile Dysfunction "I've just crossed into my 60s and found that I was struggling to gain a strong erection and hold it; I've also been diagnosed with BPH and was taking 0.4 mg Tamsulosin daily in an effort to reduce frequent bathroom trips. After consulting with our family doctor, she recommended I stop the Tamsulosin and go with 5 mg Cialis daily. I followed her advice and started taking Cialis. My experience: for the first week, mild headaches (not requiring any painkillers) and towards the end of the week started experiencing lower back pain and joint aches. It got worse in the second week and although my pain tolerance is quite high, I found myself taking some painkillers to take the edge off as I really slowed down due to the discomfort. By the end of the second week, the headaches, back pain, and joint pain had all gone and my erections reminded me of my 20s and 30s. My wife and I couldn't be happier.. I would strongly recommend Cialis."

10 / 10
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  • Run...
  • November 23, 2013

For Erectile Dysfunction "I finally worked up the courage to talk with my doctor about erections and asked for a prescription. I take an antiseizure medicine that has erectile dysfunction as a side effect and I am 62. The erection effects of this medicine are amazing. I split a 20mg pill into as many pieces as I can without them crumbling, usually 5, and let them dissolve under my tongue. If I take some Friday night, I am good for the weekend and have that fullness feeling throughout the day that makes me feel like a 20-year-old and have a hair-trigger erection when we are ready for sex. Stuffy nose is irritating, mildly dull headache that Tylenol takes care of. The first couple of weeks taking this I did experience muscle aches but these went away as my body became more accustomed to it."

10 / 10
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96 Report
  • lov...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 30, 2012

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 37, my husband is 63. We tried Viagra and it works. We decided to try Cialis this past weekend just to compare the two. Cialis is UNBELIEVABLE. None of the headaches or side effects that he would get from Viagra, and they really mean it when they say it lasts 36 hours. It is a little expensive, but well worth every penny to see your husband's confidence restored. Ladies, take it from a VERY satisfied wife: you won't be leaving the house for the entire weekend, so get everything you need before he takes the pill. Life is good!"

10 / 10
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95 Report
  • Box...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 30, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I got some samples from my MD, and after 4 days I'm feeling much better. It's the first time in about a year I've been able to empty my bladder. It's the first time in years I've slept through the night. There seem to be a couple of side effects: slight headache and back stiffness. Nothing as bad as lying in bed, awake, in pain, or being afraid to sit in a theater for 2 hours. It's going to be expensive, but I'll save money on Flomax and endless bottles of Saw Palmetto."

8 / 10
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74 Report
  • Cra...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 5, 2019

For Erectile Dysfunction "First time 5 mg and had great erections for 4 days. Very slight headache, but it went away. 2 weeks later I took 2.5 mg in the morning, and later in the evening, I took a hot bath. When I got out of the bath, my lower back hurt so bad I could hardly stand up. This is the 3rd day, and my low back is still ruined. I looked up the side effects, and low back pain was right up there. Damn, because this stuff works! But I can't afford to take a week off from work every time I want to make love."

6 / 10
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52 Report
  • Ful...
  • April 25, 2014

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 30 and from the UK. I'm pretty fit and healthy, but I have had episodes of anxiety-related erectile dysfunction for most of my adult life. I could get hard easily enough, but I would lose my erection either before sex or during. I've been seeing this new girl for a couple of months now - who I am really starting to fall for - and it had been getting worse, so I decided to take some action and went to see my GP. All the blood tests came back normal, so the doctor diagnosed anxiety as the cause. She prescribed me 10mg of Cialis. Last night was the first night I used it, and I am so happy I went and saw someone about it. My erection felt so much fuller and harder, and I had the confidence to know it wasn't going away anytime soon. Plus an added bonus was how it made me last longer too! I was side effect-free during the sex, however, I started to get a headache through the night and the following day. A small price to pay for a rejuvenated sex life. Fingers crossed things can continue in this direction."

9 / 10
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75 Report
  • Jer...
  • November 13, 2013

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 32 and went almost 1.5 years without sex. I had a lot of anxiety-related erection problems. And then I met this really nice girl who I started dating, and the first couple of times us having sex didn't work out that well, and I was worried about what she thought about this problem. I gathered the courage to go and ask for a Cialis prescription from a doctor. I took a 10mg pill and it worked like magic. I could go on having sex several times a day without any problems. The only downside is a small headache. For me, this is truly a wonder drug."

10 / 10
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83 Report
  • Mr ...
  • June 21, 2013

For Erectile Dysfunction "I suffer from erectile dysfunction and take one 20mg pill approximately every week. The effects kick in after at least a couple of hours and can last 2 days or so. I can quickly rise to the occasion, feel thicker and much harder than usual, and last for a long time. The downsides are the high expense, mild headache, nasal congestion, and temporary loss of the sense of smell. All in all, Cialis has helped me, and as the pros outweigh the cons, I will continue with the 20mg tablets."

8 / 10
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85 Report
  • Nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 10, 2019

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm 38 and physically healthy, but unfortunately take antidepressants, which destroyed my sex drive (and kept me depressed, haha). But Cialis works great, as you don't need to time anything, just get aroused a little bit, and I'm ready to go. Erections aren't as solid as with Viagra, in my experience, but I also don't feel like I'm tripping on LSD either. Since starting, I've been getting some pretty massive headaches, and today, day 3, feeling more than normal joint pains. I took no more than 10 mg per the first 2 days, so I'm hoping I can get the 5 mg daily dose and see if that helps with the side effects. Great drug nonetheless."

9 / 10
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49 Report
  • CGB...
  • June 21, 2016

For Erectile Dysfunction "I'm a healthy 33-year-old male. I have been taking 200 mg of Zoloft for over 10 years for depression, and my sex drive and erections have been getting weaker and weaker. I decided to ask my doctor and was prescribed 5 mg of Cialis for daily use. I took the pill as soon as I got home. My girlfriend came over 2 hours later, and I had one of the best erections since I was a teenager! I couldn't believe it! The erection lasted long enough for her to 'finish,' and then I started going soft. I'm sure it will take a few days before it reaches maximum effectiveness. I am so surprised by the immediate results. I was really losing hope. I experienced minor muscle pain and a slight headache, but I hear these go away after continued use. I'm so happy!"

8 / 10
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66 Report
  • Ano...
  • July 25, 2013

For Erectile Dysfunction "This medicine is good for me and has boosted my confidence as previously I couldn't sustain an erection for long enough to please my partner or even to orgasm sometimes. I take the lowest dosage available but I can now achieve a long-lasting rock-hard erection when aroused, leading to a powerful ejaculation. My partner is also highly satisfied with the changes in me. The side effects of a blocked nose and headache are irritating but mild and disappear after a day or so."

9 / 10
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79 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.