Sildenafil and tadalafil, also known under their brand names Viagra and Cialis, respectively, are used by millions of men worldwide to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that sildenafil and tadalafil’s branded equivalents, Viagra and Cialis, are among the most recognizable brands that have crossed over even to pop culture.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, responsible for their erection-boosting effects.
Since 2013, Viagra has been off-patent, which means legal, FDA-approved bioequivalent generic versions of the drugs can be sold as generic or unbranded medicines, usually under the name “sildenafil,” which work exactly the same as their branded versions.
Meanwhile, since 2017, Cialis has similarly gone off-patent, making its generic versions available to an even wider audience, marketed under Cialis’ active ingredient, and typically known as simply “tadalafil” in pharmacies worldwide.
Sildenafil and tadalafil have sterling records in treating ED, have a similar mechanism of action, and enhance sexual performance like no other.
However, there are five key differences between sildenafil and tadalafil that might make one option a more suitable choice than the other.
In this article, we’ll look at the differences to help you decide which option you should take.
How is sildenafil different from tadalafil?
Sildenafil is the active ingredient found in Viagra, while tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. Both drugs and their branded versions belong to the phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor class of drugs that enhance blood circulation in the penis.
- Tadalafil has a window of action of 36 hours, while sildenafil works for a maximum of up to four to six hours.
- High-fat and high-calorie meals slow down sildenafil absorption, which might take longer for sildenafil to kick in. On the other hand, tadalafil can be taken on an empty or full stomach without delaying absorption.
- Tadalafil for ED comes in four dosages: 2.5 mg and 5 mg (for daily use and more spontaneous sex), 10 mg (recommended starting dose for most men with ED), and 20 mg (highest dose available for more serious ED cases). The 10 mg and 20 mg doses are taken on an as-needed basis.
- Sildenafil comes in three dosages: 25 mg (for younger adult men and men with mild ED), 50 mg (recommended starting dose), and 100 mg (maximum available dose for more severe ED). Sildenafil is generally taken on an as-needed basis. Your doctor may increase your dose or reduce it accordingly if you experience moderate side effects if your current dose doesn’t help your ED symptoms.
- Tadalafil is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or non-cancerous prostate enlargement. Sildenafil doesn’t treat this condition.
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Will sildenafil or tadalafil make me harder?
The truth is that neither sildenafil (Viagra) nor tadalafil (Cialis) will make your penis harder than the other.
Each ED drug is equally effective at helping men with ED produce and keeps an erection hard while engaging in sexual activity.
Interestingly, while both sildenafil and tadalafil will help you achieve a firmer and potentially longer-lasting erection than usual, both ED drugs only work if you are actually diagnosed with ED. If you can produce a stiff erection without ED drugs, taking sildenafil or tadalafil won’t make your penis harder.
Scientists have been comparing both ED solutions for nearly two decades. According to meta-analyses pitting 16 trials comparing Cialis and Viagra, no significant differences exist between them except for one glaring finding: men preferred to take Cialis (tadalafil) because it gave them more confidence in having sex because of its longer duration of action (up to 36 hours). Moreover, this longer window allows men to be more spontaneous in their sexual encounters, adding more excitement to their sex lives.
Are sildenafil and tadalafil cheaper than Viagra and Cialis?
Branded sildenafil – that is, Viagra – can range from up to $70 per pill. In comparison, generic sildenafil (unbranded Viagra) can be bought from $2 to $9 per pill.
On the other hand, branded tadalafil, or Cialis, ranges from $12 to $70 per pill, depending on the dose. The same is true for generic tadalafil, which ranges from $5 to $25 per tablet, depending on the dosage.
Pound for pound, generic and branded tadalafil is slightly more expensive than their sildenafil counterparts. But tadalafil is largely seen to be a more economical option since it lasts longer than sildenafil. Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are cheaper than branded Viagra and Cialis.
Is sildenafil faster than tadalafil?
Generally speaking, sildenafil and tadalafil kick in quickly after taking them. Tadalafil usually takes around 30 minutes to improve your erections and up to 2 hours to achieve its full effect in your system.
Sildenafil also kicks in around 30 minutes to an hour after taking it, which means you’ll want to take it within the same time frame before having sex to enjoy its optimal effects.
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Does food affect sildenafil and tadalafil absorption?
Tadalafil can be taken with or without food, meaning it typically starts kicking in within the same time frame whether you take it on a full or empty stomach.
On the other hand, sildenafil’s effects may be affected by your mealtime. While it’s perfectly fine to take sildenafil with food, consuming a heavy, high-fat meal before taking it can slow down the onset of its effects for up to about an hour after taking it.
For best results with sildenafil, taking it on an empty stomach for around 30 minutes to one hour before engaging in sexual activity is best. However, you can also take it with a meal without any significant changes to its effects apart from taking a bit more time to kick in.
And since tadalafil is unaffected by food intake, it might be a better option for you if eating is necessary before taking your ED prescription.
The verdict: Is sildenafil better than tadalafil, or vice-versa?
At the end of the day, there isn’t really a single “best” drug for treating ED. Cialis and Viagra, and their generic equivalents, tadalafil, and sildenafil, produce similar results, but each with its own slight advantages.
If you prefer an ED pill that lasts longer and allows you to be more spontaneous in your sexual encounters, you’ll probably choose tadalafil.
And if you prefer an ED drug with a shorter duration of action that allows you to enjoy sex for a single evening without lingering in your system for too long, you’ll probably choose sildenafil.
