Cialis® (tadalafil) and Viagra® (sildenafil) belong to a class of medicines known as PDE5 inhibitors. These medicines treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by boosting the blood supply to the penis.
And while they both share the same mechanism of action that treats ED, they aren’t necessarily the same medicine.
Viagra® is the brand name Pfizer used to introduce the generic medicine sildenafil citrate as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in 1998. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra® and its generic versions after Pfizer lost its patent in 2017, is also available in Revatio®, used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension PAH.
On the other hand, Cialis® is the brand name Eli Lilly and Co used to introduce tadalafil – the active ingredient in their product. Tadalafil, as Cialis®, is also used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement, in men. Tadalafil may also improve urinary symptoms in men with BPH.
Is tadalafil stronger than sildenafil?
If you suspect you might have ED, consult your doctor. They will assess and determine whether you are suitable for oral ED medicines.
And at this point in time, your doctor might ask you to pick sildenafil (Viagra®) or tadalafil (Cialis®).
As many men want immediate results, it’s not surprising to hear the question being asked. “What is stronger? Tadalafil or sildenafil? Cialis® or Viagra®?”
Here’s the deal: both ED drugs are proven and effective in treating ED.
Both tadalafil and sildenafil can help users achieve a sufficiently firm erection for sexual activity in up to 70% of men across a review of studies. Notably, both drugs shared comparable side effects with each other.
That said, which one should you pick between tadalafil and sildenafil to treat ED?
It all boils down to the several distinguishing key differences between them.
Tadalafil and sildenafil differ in how long their effects last and how they are dosed. Your healthcare provider may opt for one over the other based on your medical history.
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Is tadalafil or sildenafil right for me?
When weighing between taking tadalafil or sildenafil, you should remember that sildenafil is usually taken 1 hour before sex. Viagra®, or generic sildenafil, reaches its peak concentrations between 30 minutes to about two hours after taking it. Sildenafil’s effects typically last around 4-6 hours, depending on the individual and his dose. Some men can produce more than one erection within that time frame. However, taking sildenafil on a full stomach may delay its effects due to diminished absorption.
Meanwhile, tadalafil should be taken as needed before engaging in sexual activity. A noteworthy difference is that tadalafil or Cialis® is approved at daily doses of 2.5 mg to 5 mg to treat ED. The once-daily regimen of tadalafil is taken around the same time every day regardless of when a user plans to have sex. As discussed earlier, tadalafil also relieves urinary symptoms arising from BPH.
Sildenafil is known for its fast action, which is why it is recommended to be taken on an empty stomach. On the other hand, if you are taking an as-needed dose of tadalafil, it’s best to give yourself at least a couple of hours for the medicine to reach peak concentrations in the bloodstream.
Once tadalafil is fully absorbed, its effects may last up to 36 hours, which is significantly longer than sildenafil (which lasts only up to 4-8 hours in comparison.)
Now, you might be wondering: does it mean tadalafil might cause an erection lasting up to 36 hours? No, not at all. All this means is that you could produce one or more erections within that 36-hour time frame with tadalafil. And while erections lasting more than 4 hours might sound like a good thing, it’s not – it’s a medical emergency that may have devastating long-term consequences on your ED.
Ultimately, many men find tadalafil more suitable in giving them more flexibility to enjoy spontaneous sexual activity and better sexual confidence because it works longer. There’s less pressure to perform while engaging in sexual activity with tadalafil than with sildenafil, whose shorter duration makes it necessary to plan ahead. But some men prefer sildenafil’s shorter effect ideal for men who just want to use ED drugs occasionally.
Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil: Does Viagra® produce a stronger erection than Cialis®?
As we already mentioned, tadalafil and sildenafil are equally safe and effective. The main difference is what they are used for, how frequently they can be taken, and how long they last in the body.
Therefore, to answer the aforementioned question, no – sildenafil wouldn’t necessarily help you produce a stiffer erection than tadalafil, and vice-versa. One thing’s for sure: tadalafil’s effects will last longer. The latter may help you produce one or more erections within a 36-hour window, longer than sildenafil’s 4-6 hour window.
While tadalafil and sildenafil can help give your erection a boost when you need it the most for several hours, you’re NOT supposed to have a constantly hard penis throughout their window of effect.
A prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours is an emergency medical situation, even if you don’t feel discomfort or pain. This medical condition is called priapism, wherein the blood remains trapped in the penis and unable to flow out of it. Leaving priapism untreated may cause permanent scarring in the penile tissue and may cause irreversible damage. Seek immediate medical attention if this admittedly rarer side effect occurs
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Which is more potent: tadalafil or sildenafil?
We’ve already established that both tadalafil (Cialis®) and sildenafil (Viagra®) are similar as far as their efficacy is concerned. Both drugs are therefore equally potent. It only differs on a user’s preference. Men who have sex more regularly tend to prefer tadalafil, while men who prefer to use ED drugs only when needed tend to favor sildenafil.
What is the strongest ED drug?
Every member of the PDE5 inhibitor family of ED medications – sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®), and avanafil (Stendra®) – each has its benefits and drawbacks.
Sildenafil is frequently the first ED pill doctors recommend to patients since it has the name recall, having been much longer than any of its counterparts. Many health practitioners feel more comfortable prescribing sildenafil for these reasons.
Another reason is that sildenafil’s side effects and interactions with other drugs and food are well-documented and understood.
However, depending on your personal preferences and medical history, your doctor may discuss other ED treatments, such as another PDE5 inhibitor drug.
As erectile dysfunction can arise from several causes and underlying medical conditions, it’s best to be open to other non-pharmacological treatment options. This might include counseling or lifestyle changes since psychological and physical fitness can cause ED.
Ultimately, the choice between sildenafil and tadalafil, or Viagra® and Cialis® if you’re brand conscious, boils down to how often you engage in sexual activity, how spontaneous you wish to be, or if you have any pre-existing medical conditions that need to be addressed. For instance, if you’re suffering from BPH and manifest urinary symptoms, tadalafil might be a better choice.
Moreover, while tadalafil and sildenafil possess the same drug interaction and side effect profiles, it affects every patient differently. You may find yourself getting headaches or flushing with sildenafil and not with tadalafil. Maybe you find that tadalafil causes nasal congestion and back pain while sildenafil doesn’t. Your prescription may vary depending on your side effects and can play a role in your decision.
If you are taking any medicines for chest pain containing nitroglycerin, you should avoid taking tadalafil, sildenafil, or any other PDE5 inhibitor drug. This is because it can cause extremely low blood pressure. Consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about their potential interactions.
