We won’t beat around the bush.
What’s the difference between Cialis and tadalafil?
It’s branding.
Simply put, Cialis is the branded version of the generic drug named after its active ingredient: tadalafil.
In other words, every Cialis pill is tadalafil, but not every tadalafil pill is Cialis.
Cialis and tadalafil are simply different names to refer to the same effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), with a more prolonged effect than Viagra – the branded version of the generic drug sildenafil.
The reason why tadalafil’s effects are longer is that it was developed to be used for daily use or on an as-needed basis.
Now that we’ve laid out the foundations, let’s dig into the science of how tadalafil works.
Tadalafil belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which are medicines that boost blood circulation in your penile tissue by inhibiting PDE5. PDE5 is an enzyme that breaks down cGMP, the substance that makes it possible for you to get stiff.
Tadalafil distinguishes itself from other PDE5 inhibitor ED drugs with its longer window of effects.
Unlike any other PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra (sildenafil) or Levitra (vardenafil), tadalafil’s effects last up to 36 hours on a single dose.
Now that we’ve got the science and the facts down pat, let’s backtrack a bit and go down memory lane.
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Is tadalafil legit? A history
To answer this question, it’s best to discuss a bit of history. Cialis is an ED drug noted for its excellent results and approval for the treatment of impotence for almost two decades. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly first developed Cialis in 1997 as a treatment for erectile dysfunction with tadalafil as its active ingredient. It was initially developed to treat cardiovascular disease, but during trials, it was found effective for treating ED.
In 2003, the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s license to market tadalafil for treating ED under the brand name Cialis. As a second-generation ED drug, it has many similarities to Viagra. It belongs to the same category of ED medicines (PDE5 inhibitors).
The primary advantage tadalafil and Cialis have over sildenafil and Viagra is that they work faster and longer. Tadalafil and Cialis offer up to a 36-hour window of effectiveness, thus earning the “weekend pill” moniker due to its duration.
In 2017, Eli Lilly’s patent on tadalafil expired, which opened the door for generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to start distributing bioequivalent products often marketed as simply “tadalafil” or “generic Cialis.”
Cialis remains a brand name that only Eli Lilly has the exclusive right to use. Therefore, ED patients can buy Cialis or its generic version while experiencing the same erection-boosting effects that the active ingredient tadalafil can bring.
Is Cialis the same as tadalafil?
The most egregious difference between Cialis and tadalafil is simply the price you pay for it and the box it comes in. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cialis is simply the branded version of generic tadalafil. Ultimately, both possess the same active content and effects.
You might be asking, then: is tadalafil just as effective as Cialis?
Let’s go on a deep dive and examine their differences in greater detail.
- Cialis and tadalafil look different. Cialis comes in film-coated, oval-shaped, and yellow tablets and doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. Generic tadalafil, on the other hand, may come in similar sizes but different shapes and colors. However, their effects remain just as potent, long, and work exactly the same way. Differences in appearance are all cosmetic and have no bearing on their medicinal effects.
- Cialis is more expensive than tadalafil. Cialis is distributed only by Eli Lilly, and the company has total control over its retail price. That’s because they have no competition over the Cialis brand. And, since Cialis has long been an established name in treating ED, with echoes in popular culture, Eli Lilly can afford to charge premium prices for their product. Meanwhile, generic tadalafil is produced by various pharmaceutical firms and can be distributed by any licensed pharmacy, leading to an extremely competitive market. This competition has driven prices down immensely. Branded Cialis can cost up to three times more than generic tadalafil, making the latter a popular, affordable choice for millions of men worldwide.
Is tadalafil just as effective as Cialis?
Cialis has enjoyed massive success as a very effective first-line treatment for ED, with over 80% satisfaction scores from men who found that the product works for them.
Generic tadalafil is manufactured by various drug firms. They are mandated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to contain the same active ingredient and dosages as Cialis under the principle of bioequivalence. To receive approval from the FDA, generic medicines need to be bioequivalent to the brands they create generic versions for, ensuring the same efficacy as their unbranded versions.
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In conclusion: is tadalafil the same as Cialis?
Tadalafil and Cialis are both ED drugs that have a high degree of success in treating erectile dysfunction. They are PDE5 inhibitors that work by dilating your blood vessels, leading to a temporary boost in blood flow within the penis and its muscles, subsequently promoting firmer, more satisfying erections.
However, both drugs possess a few key differences: Cialis is a brand developed, mass-marketed, and produced with a specific cosmetic appearance. Tadalafil, meanwhile, may come in unbranded packaging, slightly different in appearance but containing the same active ingredient and the same dosage as Cialis.
Ultimately, you can be 100% sure that the tadalafil you buy from licensed pharmacies is just as effective as branded Cialis from Eli Lilly; the only catch is that generic tadalafil can be bought at a substantially lower price.
The cosmetic differences such as chemical stabilizers and bulking agents used in Cialis might not always be found in generic tadalafil but pose no medical relevance and have no bearing on the tablet’s effects. Tadalafil and Cialis will work as long as they should and offer the same effects.
