Viagra is the most popular medication for erectile dysfunction. It was the first medicine approved to treat ED in 1998. It works quickly and can be used to treat men of all age groups. If you cannot use this drug for some reason or just want to try similar medications, you should know that there are good alternatives to sildenafil.
Cialis is the best analogue of Viagra, which has won an excellent reputation among men. The main active ingredient of Cialis is tadalafil, which, like sildenafil, belongs to the category of PDE5 inhibitors. Tadalafil causes an active blood flow to the perineum and penis of a man, due to which a good persistent erection occurs. The drug works only in the presence of natural stimulation, instantly increasing libido and sexual desire. Many men prefer Cialis because this is an ultra-long-acting ED drug – its duration is up to 36 hours;
Levitra is another worthy substitute for Viagra. The main active ingredient of Levitra is vardenafil, This drug is ideal for the symptomatic treatment of male sexual impotence. This medicine, like other drugs for improving potency, is prescribed by the doctor on an individual basis after a thorough examination. Levitra lasts about 8-12 hours and, unlike Viagra, is compatible with alcohol
Stendra is one more medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. It contains the active ingredient avanafil. It has a quick onset of action in comparison to other ED drugs available and starts working just 15 minutes after taking the pill. It is one of the newest drugs to be released for ED. Avanafil remains effective for 6 hours and may maintain benefits longer in some patients.
Compare the information about popular ED drugs in the table below:
Cialis vs. Viagra quick comparison
- Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors used for treating impotence (erectile dysfunction, or ED).
- Adcirca is another brand name of tadalafil.
- Common side effects of Cialis and Viagra that are similar include flushing (redness or warmth of the face, neck, or chest), headaches, stomach pain or upset, flu-like symptoms (such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat), memory problems, muscle or back pain, blurred vision and changes in color vision (such as an inability to differentiate between the colors green and blue), dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, low blood pressure, abnormal ejaculation, and prolonged erections (priapism), loss of hearing, and ringing in the ears.
- One difference between the drugs is how long they stay in your system. Cialis provides penile hardness (the ability to obtain an erection) over a longer period than Viagra because it lasts up to 18 hours, while Viagra only lasts for about 4 to 6.
What are Cialis and Viagra?
Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are oral drugs that are used for treating impotence (the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They are in a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors that also includes vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn ODT), and avanafil (Stendra).
Penile erection is caused by the engorgement of the penis with blood. Under normal conditions, sexual stimulation leads to the production and release of nitric oxide in the penis. Nitric oxide then activates the enzyme, guanylate cyclase, which causes the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). It is the cGMP that is primarily responsible for the erection by affecting the amount of blood that the blood vessels deliver and remove from the penis. Cialis and Viagra inhibit an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) which destroys the cGMP. Thus, Cialis and Viagra prevent the destruction of cGMP and allows cGMP to accumulate and persist longer. The longer cGMP persists, the more prolonged the engorgement of the penis.
What is the dosage of Cialis vs. Viagra?
Cialis
For most individuals, the recommended starting dose of tadalafil is 10 mg per day taken before sexual activity (tadalafil for use as needed).
Depending on the adequacy of the response or side effects, the dose may be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg a day. The effect of tadalafil may last up to 36 hours. Individuals who are taking medications that increase the blood levels of tadalafil should not exceed a total dose of 10 mg in 72 hours (See drug interactions). For once daily use without regard to sexual activity, the recommended dose is 2.5 to 5 mg daily. Tadalafil should not be taken more than once daily.
The recommended dose for BPH, or BPH and ED is 5 mg daily taken about the same time each day. Tadalafil may be taken with or without food since food does not affect its absorption from the intestine.
The dose of tadalafil may require adjustment for patients with reduced kidney or liver function.
Viagra
- The usual recommended dose is 25 to 100 mg 1 hour before sexual activity.
- The maximum dose is 100 mg daily.
- The elderly (over 65 years of age) should start at 25 mg before sexual activity.
- Sildenafil is rapidly absorbed. Maximum observed plasma concentrations are reached within 30 to 120 minutes (median 60 minutes) of oral dosing in the fasted state. When sildenafil is taken with a high fat meal, the rate of absorption is reduced, with an average delay in the time to maximal concentration of 1 hour.