Viagra (sildenafil) took the world by storm when it came to the market in 1998 as the first oral tablet to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It rapidly became well known throughout the world for being a revolutionary step forward in treating ED. This fame still persists in the minds of many, but with this fame came the rapid expansion of ED treatments and many PDE-5 inhibitor alternatives to the original.
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One such alternative was Cialis (tadalafil) which came in 2002, four years after the success of Viagra. Although they both belong to the same family of medicines (PDE-5 inhibitors) they have some very distinct differences. This has led many to question, which one is better Cialis or Viagra?
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It must be noted that the effect of each medicine may vary from man to man. Erectile Dysfunction can be a complicated condition that has varied causes and severity. While there are clear scientific differences between the two, you may not know exactly how they will affect you until you try them.
Cialis and Viagra, What is the Difference?
Both Cialis and Viagra work by relaxing the muscles of the blood vessels around the penis. This allows for blood to flow into the penis more easily, resulting in easier and stronger erections.
While being a part of the same medicine family, both contain different active ingredients. Viagra contains sildenafil while Cialis contains tadalafil. The differing active ingredients result in two major differences for Cialis vs Viagra, the amount of time they will take to work and the duration of activity.
Which Works Faster, Cialis or Viagra?
When Cialis was created by the drug company Eli Lilly, they didn’t just seek to create their own version of Viagra, they wanted to improve on it. They succeeded in many ways, how quickly Cialis works was one. Cialis will take between 15 to 45 minutes to take effect, whereas Viagra will take 30 to 60 minutes. While this may seem small, it can make all the difference when waiting for it to work in the heat of the moment with a partner.
Duration of Action
Perhaps the most notable difference between Cialis and Viagra is the duration they both last in the body. Cialis will last up to 36 hours in the body, whereas Viagra will last just 4-6 hours. Both allow plenty of time for sex on multiple occasions on just one dose, but Cialis wins out on the sheer duration of action.
How to use Cialis and Viagra
Each should be taken with the time to take effect and duration of action in mind. Most men will want to take ED medications at least 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to sex.
Cialis can be taken slightly closer to sex as its time to action is generally faster.
You may take a maximum of 20mg of Cialis per 36 hours, whereas with Viagra you may take a maximum of 100mg per 24 hours if required.
Cialis can be taken with or without food and have a similar absorption time whereas Viagra will take effect slower if taken on a full stomach.
While being different they both work in the same way. They should never be taken together or at doses higher than prescribed. Doing so can be dangerous and result in increased side effects.
It is important to understand that while Cialis and Viagra make it easier to get an erection, they do not cause erections on their own. You will still require some stimulation to gain an erection. However, the amount of stimulation you may need should significantly lower.
Both medicines may not work on the first try. Generally, doctors recommend using the treatment on a number of separate occasions before making a judgement on the medicine’s effect on you.
In 2007 the European Commission approved a low daily dose of 2.5mg or 5mg Cialis tablet. Unlike most ED medications this one was designed to be taken daily rather than just when required. Taking a small dose of Cialis daily allows for easier spontaneous erections rather than the higher when required doses.
Which is Better Value, Cialis or Viagra?
In the past, Viagra was once the cheaper option as Cialis offered a faster action and longer duration which pushed the cost much higher. Times have changed thanks to both medicines now being off-patent. Generic Cialis, Tadalafil, has dropped the price of Cialis lower than that of Viagra. You can get Cialis for £2.26 / tablet and Viagra for £4.84 / tablet.
Even better value is the generic versions of the medicines at £0.67 / tablet for generic Cialis and £0.86 / tablet for generic Viagra. These medicines contain the exact same active ingredients at the same strengths and have been proven as effective as the originals. Some men will decide to go for value and others branded names, there’s no right or wrong.
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Cialis may offer a much better value for the duration compared to Viagra, but ultimately men will often choose whichever they find works best for them. After all, better value means nothing if you find Viagra suits your needs better.
Which is Safer, Cialis or Viagra?
Both medicines are prescription drugs and you should seek medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations from a health professional before using them.
This is particularly important if you have health conditions or take other medicines. If you have medical conditions such as high blood pressure or have had a heart attack previously you should check your suitability for treatment with a health professional. Drug interactions do exist for these medicines and you should disclose any medicines you take to the provider of the treatment for your own safety.
As with all medicines, they can have side effects in some people. As Cialis and Viagra are both PDE-5 inhibitors, they often display similar side effects.
The most common ones are headaches, dizziness, nasal congestion and facial flushing. As the duration of effect is much longer with Cialis, the potential for longer-lasting side effects may result in Viagra being the better choice if you are prone to getting them. A less common, but more well-known side effect is prolonged erections lasting more than 4 hours. If this happens seek urgent medical help.
While these side effects may sound daunting, you may experience none at all or some minor ones, as they can affect everyone in a slightly different way.
If you would like to know more about Erectile dysfunction or the treatments visit our erectile dysfunction page. Here you can complete an assessment that is reviewed by our UK doctors to identify your suitability for Cialis and Viagra as well as other ED medicines.
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