Viagra Vs Cialis: What's The Difference?

Viagra and Cialis are two of the most popular branded erectile dysfunction medications. Because they're so well known, you may be wondering what the difference is between them. Let's compare them, exploring how they work, how effective they are and what they cost, to help you choose the right treatment for your needs. 

What is Viagra?

This little blue pill is one of the most recognisable treatments for erectile dysfunction. It was approved for use in 1998 and has helped millions of men boost their sexual performance since them. It contains the active ingredient sildenafil, which is also available in generic form for a lower price. 

What is Cialis?

Cialis is an erectile dysfunction drug that contains the active ingredient tadalafil. It comes in two dose types: Cialis Daily and regular Cialis.

Like Viagra, you take regular Cialis when you need to, usually 30 minutes to an hour before sex. A typical dose is 10mg or 20mg. Once you take one Cialis pill, it stays in your system for up to 36 hours, meaning it can help you get an erection whenever you're aroused in that time. These doses are ideal for you if you have less frequent sexual activity, or if you only want to take the medication when needed.

Cialis Daily is a low daily dose (2.5mg or 5mg) tablet. Take one a day to maintain a stable level of the drug in your bloodstream, allowing you to get an erection whenever you're aroused. This option is great if you have sex more than twice a week, or you want to make your sex life more spontaneous.

How do Viagra and Cialis work?

Viagra and Cialis belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. They relax the smooth muscles around the blood vessels in your penis, which improves blood flow when you're aroused. This helps you get and maintain erections in response to sexual stimulation. PDE5 inhibitors only help with the physical symptoms of erectile dysfunction, they can't boost your sex drive.

Which works faster: Cialis or Viagra?

Viagra and Cialis are both fast-acting treatments, but Cialis has a faster onset of action than Viagra. You can start to notice the effects of Cialis 15–20 minutes, while Viagra typically takes around 20–30 minutes to take effect.

With Cialis, you also have the option of Cialis Daily, a lower daily dose that means the drug is always in your system, so you're always ready for sexual activity. 

Is Viagra more effective than Cialis?

Clinical evidence shows there’s no significant difference between the two medications' ability to treat erectile dysfunction. Studies found that over 90% of men said Viagra improved their erectile function, and a Cialis trial found that 81% of men had better erections after taking it.

Can Viagra or Cialis make you last longer?

Neither Viagra or Cialis will help you delay climax. They're only licensed to treat erectile dysfunction, and there's no significant clinical evidence showing they help with premature ejaculation.

Cialis stays in your system longer than Viagra, meaning it can help you get erections whenever you're aroused in a 36-hour period. This means you can be more spontaneous with sexual encounters, because you don't need to pause to take a tablet. 

Viagra is effective for around 4 hours after taking it, so you should take it 30–60 minutes before sex for the best results. 

Can I take Cialis or Viagra with food?

Both treatments are oral medications, and they respond slightly differently when you take them with food. Eating has little effect on Cialis, so you can take it with or without food. However, Viagra is more effective if you take it on an empty stomach. Taking it with food, especially a heavy or high-fat meal, can slow its absorption. 

Which is more expensive, Cialis or Viagra?

Branded Cialis starts at $12.50 per pill, while Viagra is $75.00 per pill. 

The generic drugs are much less expensive by comparison. A daily dose of Tadalafil starts at $1.19 per pill, and the on-demand doses start at $2.82. The standard starting dose of generic Sildenafil (50mg) can be as low as $2.19 per pill. Costs vary depending on the dose you take and how many tablets you buy. 

Does Cialis have fewer side effects than Viagra?

Both medications have similar common side effects because they work in the same way. These include:

• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Facial flushing
• Indigestion

If you have any of these symptoms, don't worry. They usually settle after an hour. However, you should speak to your doctor for medical advice if you experience any of these adverse effects after taking Viagra or Cialis:

• Chest pain
• Blurred vision
• Sudden hearing loss
• Fast heart rate
• High or low blood pressure
• Severe allergic reaction

Viagra vs Cialis — which is better?

Both Viagra and Cialis are equally effective at treating erectile dysfunction. They both increase blood flow to your penis, helping you get a harder erection. Their common side effects are also similar. 

Cialis is longer-lasting than Viagra, staying in your system for up to 36 hours (or continuously, if you take a daily dose). It's also available in a wider variety of doses, so it may be easier to find one that suits your lifestyle. 

A healthcare professional must prescribe either medication to you, after a short consultation to assess your medical history. You can also take the generic versions of these drugs and get the same benefits. 

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