There are two ways you can take Cialis. You can take it as a simple, once-a-day pill at a smaller dose (2.5 mg, 5 mg) so you’ll always be ready to perform when the mood is right. Or you can take Cialis as needed at a higher dose (10 mg, 20 mg), 30-60 minutes before you plan to have sex. You need to take Cialis Daily tablets around the same time each day for it to be effective, so you can get an erection on demand. For most people, Cialis as needed starts working in about 30 minutes. This medication won't give you a spontaneous erection without sexual stimulation.