Tadalafil Vs Sildenafil: What’s The Difference?

Tadalafil and Sildenafil are two of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction here at ZipHealth, commonly known by their brand names: Cialis and Viagra. Here's our expert guide to help you decide which one might be best for you.

Dr Ashwin Sharma

Jun 17, 2024 • 2 min read

Tadalafil Vs Sildenafil

What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil, the generic name for Cialis, comes in two forms: daily doses and on-demand pills.

Tadalafil Daily: This is a low-dose tablet taken once a day, allowing you to achieve an erection whenever you’re aroused.
On-Demand Tadalafil: These pills are taken 30 minutes before sex, providing the ability to get an erection for up to 36 hours, so daily dosing isn't necessary.

What is Sildenafil and how do erectile dysfunction treatments work?

Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra, one of the most well-known treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Both Tadalafil and Sildenafil are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which work by increasing blood flow to your penis, helping you get an erection when you’re aroused. These medications don't affect your sexual desire — only your physical ability to achieve and maintain an erection.

Does Tadalafil work faster than Sildenafil?

Both medications are fast-acting, but Tadalafil tends to work slightly quicker, within 30 minutes, compared to Sildenafil, which typically works within 30-60 minutes.

Does Tadalafil last longer than Sildenafil?

Tadalafil can remain effective for up to 36 hours, earning it the nickname “the weekend pill.” This allows for more spontaneity. In contrast, Sildenafil remains active for about 4 hours and it needs to be taken 30-60 minutes before sexual stimulation for optimal effect.

Is Sildenafil more effective than Tadalafil?

Both medications have high success rates. In clinical trials, over 90% of men reported improved erections with Sildenafil, while about 81% of men had harder erections with Tadalafil.[1] [2]

Does Tadalafil have fewer side effects than Sildenafil?

Since both drugs work similarly, they share common side effects, including headaches, muscle aches, back pain, facial flushing, and indigestion. Severe side effects requiring urgent medical attention include:

Chest pain
Blurred vision
Sudden hearing loss
Prolonged or painful erection
Seizures
Fast heart rate
High or low blood pressure
Severe allergic reactions

Choosing a treatment

Both treatments are effective at improving blood flow for erections and have similar side effects. Tadalafil’s availability in both daily and on-demand forms might offer more flexibility for different lifestyles. Remember, most erectile dysfunction treatments need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional, like the experts at ZipHealth.

Comparison at a Glance:

	Tadalafil (Cialis)	Sildenafil (Viagra)
Price	Prices start from $25	Prices start from $25
Prescription required?	Yes	Yes
Active ingredient	Tadalafil	Sildenafil
Dosage	2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg tablets	25, 50, and 100 mg tablets
Effectiveness	Effective for >80% of men[2]	Effective for >80% of men[1]
How fast does it work?	Within 30 minutes. Tadalafil Daily works throughout the day.	Within 30 minutes.
How long does it last?	Up to 36 hours	4 hours
How to take	With or without food. Avoid greasy/fatty foods and grapefruit.	Best on an empty stomach. Avoid grapefruit.
Benefits	Long-lasting, lower doses available.	Proven track record, widely trusted.
Common side effects	Facial flushing, headache, indigestion, stuffy nose.	Facial flushing, headache, indigestion, stuffy nose.

Want to learn more about types of medication and treatment options for erectile dysfunction? Head to our website to start a free, 100% online consultation at ZipHealth today.

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27114196/#:~:text=The%20percentage%20of%20men%20reporting,%E2%89%A575%20years%2C%2059%25).

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12352386/#:~:text=tadalafil%20experienced%20a%20significant%20mean,successfully%20completed%20(p%20%3C0.001%20versus