We are all aware of the fact what the famous little blue pill, Viagra, can do when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction (ED) because it has been ruling the market for more than 20 years. But what about Cialis? Do you know about it?
Well, Cialis and Viagra are similar drugs and both are prescribed to treat ED. Viagra contains sildenafil citrate that was approved by the FDA in 1998, while Cialis contains tadalafil that was approved in 2003.
Sildenafil citrate and tadalafil belong to the same class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Others belonging to the same class of drugs include vardenafil (Levitra) and avanafil (Stendra).
Before knowing which one is better, it is important to know how they are different from each other even after containing the same class of drugs.
The efficacy of all PDE5 inhibitors is similar. However, it has been reported that Viagra is more effective than Cialis. The reported efficacy of Viagra is 84 percent and Cialis is 81 percent. However, most men have started using Cialis because of its longer action. Cialis lasts for up to 36 hours, while Viagra for four to five hours post-dosage.
Generally, Viagra works within an hour of dosage and its effect may be delayed when taken with food. On the other hand, Cialis works within 15 to 30 minutes and its effect is not affected by food.
The recommended dosage of Viagra is 50 mg and Cialis is 10 mg, once in any 24-hour period before indulging in sexual activity. The added advantage of Cialis, in lower dosages, can be taken on a daily basis. To some men, doctors prescribe daily Cialis 2.5 mg.
Although rare with either ED drug, Viagra is more likely to cause mild vision changes than Cialis. However, Viagra has a longer safety record than Cialis because millions of men have used it for over two decades. Common side effects with either drug include a headache, upset stomach, facial flushing, and nasal congestion.
So, is Cialis better than Viagra?
Both Cialis and Viagra do the same thing – treat ED. It depends on you to decide how long you want the drug to act and last, and the possibility of their side effects. In the long run, both are safe unless you take it under the supervision of a doctor. Neither Cialis nor Viagra is harmful if you have ED but otherwise healthy. They are FDA-approved drugs and deserve the status they have achieved over the years. If you want to try Cialis or Viagra, check with your doctor first because both are unsafe if you have been using nitrates for chest pain or angina. The key is to share all your medical information with your medical provider.
