According to the Massachusetts Male Aging Study in 1994, one of the seminal studies conducted on erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence, around 52% of men experience some degree of ED.
Moreover, the study found that the total ED rate increases from 5 to 15% in men ages 40 to 70.
While ED risk undoubtedly increases with age, it’s entirely within the realm of possibility for younger men to experience ED before the age of 40 – as evidenced by a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine determining that ED affected as much as 26% of men under age 40.
All the research points towards ED as a common, prevalent condition.
Fortunately, ED has been a largely treatable condition since Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) was introduced by Pfizer in 1998 and Cialis® (tadalafil) by Eli Lilly and Co in 2003.
Together, both drugs have become wildly successful for treating ED symptoms, saved many a relationship from going bad, and have been used by millions of men in the United States alone.
Both sildenafil and tadalafil – the active ingredients in Viagra® and Cialis®, respectively – have, since 2017 and 2018, become available as generic medicines, expanding their accessibility and availability for men around the world.
And why not? Both sildenafil and tadalafil have the same effect in treating ED, have the same mechanism of action, and boost sexual performance.
With that being said, which one is the more suitable option for you?
Here’s the reality: while both medicines share plenty of similarities, a few key differences might make one preferable to the other.
Let’s learn more about sildenafil (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®), their differences, side effects, and how to determine the more suitable choice for you before you take either.
What is sildenafil (generic Viagra®)?
Sildenafil is the generic name for Viagra®. The latter is a brand name owned by Pfizer, the pharmaceutical firm which introduced sildenafil as Viagra® in 1998. Sildenafil enjoys renown as the original and best-known ED treatment around to this very day.
In general, sildenafil starts 30 minutes to an hour after taking it. It stays effective for up to 4 hours, during which you can expect a firmer, more satisfying erection when sexually stimulated.
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What is tadalafil (generic Cialis®)?
Tadalafil is the generic name for Cialis®, which belongs to a class of ED drugs called PDE5 inhibitors and sildenafil, with which it shares the same mechanism of action. Tadalafil was developed to kick in faster, starting within 30 minutes, and its effect lasts 36 hours.
How are sildenafil and tadalafil different?
Sildenafil and tadalafil belong to the PDE5 inhibitor category of medicines. These medicines inhibit PDE5, an enzyme that signals your erection to subside after sexual activity. This inhibiting effect allows men with ED to experience a firmer, longer-lasting erection upon sexual stimulation. It must be noted that both sildenafil and tadalafil do not affect libido – therefore, you need to be in a state of sexual arousal to experience its desired effect.
The key difference between sildenafil and tadalafil is the duration of their effects. Tadalafil’s effects may last up to 36 hours, which means it can treat your ED symptoms within that time frame. On the other hand, sildenafil lasts for around 4-6 hours.
Individuals who prefer spontaneity in their sexual interactions tend to prefer tadalafil. Moreover, tadalafil can be taken either with a meal or on an empty stomach without affecting the drug’s potency or how fast it takes effect.
Sildenafil is best taken on an empty stomach since taking it with food may cause it to take longer to take effect, particularly with high-calorie, high-fat meals.
However, remember that every person has a different genetic and biological makeup. This means some may find that tadalafil works better for them than sildenafil or sildenafil than tadalafil. Your mileage, so to speak, may vary.
Another factor is that both drugs have their list of side effects, which might lead to a person’s preference for one drug over the other.
And last but not least, it’s important to understand the interactions both ED drugs have on certain medicines you may be taking.
Sildenafil and tadalafil side effects: which ones should you look out for?
Side effects such as chest pain (angina), dizziness, nausea, or priapism – a painful condition where the penis is still erect after four hours – requires immediate medical attention, as they may lead to life-threatening complications.
Common side effects of sildenafil and tadalafil include nasal congestion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal pain, indigestion, an upset stomach, and flushing, apart from changes in visual perception and hearing loss (rare).
Your doctor may add or reduce your dosage depending on the severity of your side effects or put you on a different ED drug or alternative treatment.
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Which one should you choose: sildenafil or tadalafil?
Based on trials, both ED drugs have enjoyed a similar rate of success and safety over time. No significant differences as far as effectiveness and safety exist between sildenafil and tadalafil.
That said, which one should you ask your doctor about? It all depends on which one is most suitable for your lifestyle. If you don’t want to limit your sexual activity based on what time you take your ED drug of choice, tadalafil’s longer-lasting effect might offer you more spontaneity and longer-lasting enjoyment. Consult your doctor about what tadalafil dose might best suit you. If you engage in sexual activity more often, lower daily doses might be sufficient for continuous use.
If you engage in sex less frequently, or if taking a daily pill is bothersome, sildenafil might be right up your alley.
Some individuals might be excluded from using sildenafil or tadalafil. Consult your doctor to determine whether sildenafil or tadalafil is more suitable for you.
The final word
Ultimately, there is no “better” drug for treating the symptoms of millions of ED sufferers worldwide. Which you choose primarily depends on which fits your lifestyle and personal needs the most. Sildenafil and tadalafil produce similar, equally effective results, but each has unique advantages depending on your preference and state of health.
If you’re looking for an ED drug that lasts longer and allows you to have more spontaneous sex, you’ll probably try tadalafil. If you prefer a shorter-acting ED drug that doesn’t stay too long in your system, sildenafil might be more of your thing.
