Viagra vs Cialis: The Differences Explained

Category: Prescription Related Questions

Author

Posted on January 2, 2023

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.



viagra vs cialis

If you're having trouble performing in the bedroom, please know that you're not alone by any means! Believe it or not, around 52% of men experience erectile dysfunction in their lifetimes.

Fortunately, with it being so common, you have treatment options to choose from. Let's compare the two most popular treatments and see which is better: Viagra vs Cialis!

What Is Viagra?

Sildenafil, more commonly known by its brand name Viagra, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in males, as well as certain heart conditions. Most commonly, it is used to treat pulmonary hypertension or PAH.

Viagra works by relaxing muscles that restrict blood flow, which is why it's used to treat erectile dysfunction. Upon sexual arousal, a healthy male will develop an erection by certain muscles relaxing, increasing blood flow into the penis. ED occurs when that muscle can no longer relax.

Benefits of Viagra

The most important benefit of Viagra relative to other common ED treatments is its record. Viagra has been around since 1989 as an ED treatment (discovered by accident, incidentally!) and has had plenty of success since.

Also, Viagra has quite limited side effects that are easily measurable. This way, you can easily stop using it if you notice any adverse side effects and talk to your doctor about alternatives from there.

You can also get generic Sildenafil with a prescription, which can potentially save you money without losing any of the benefits of Viagra.

Viagra is also easy to use, as it comes in tablet, oral liquid, or injectable forms. If you do use injections, your doctor will teach you how to use them properly.

Disadvantages of Viagra

The only real downside to Viagra is that you have to remember to take it around an hour before you plan to engage in sexual activity. Ask your doctor for the recommended time frame, as it does vary from person to person. From there, it will last in your system for around three to six hours before leaving your system.

Other than that, it's important to mention the side effects. All medications have some side effects, and Viagra's are quite mild, including:

  • Headaches
  • Flushing
  • Upset stomach
  • Bloody nose
  • Aches or pains
  • Long-lasting, painful erection

If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Viagra and let your doctor know right away. In this case, you may want to consider trying a different medicine.

What Is Cialis?

Tadalafil, more commonly known by the brand name Cialis, is another common ED medicine that can also treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH (enlarged prostate). Like Viagra, Cialis requires a prescription. Unlike Viagra, Tadalafil does not have a generic drug equivalent.

Cialis is newer than Viagra, released in 2003, so it has slightly less long-term research than Viagra. Still, it is one of the most popular and widely-used ED treatments available.

Benefits of Cialis

While Cialis is newer, it is still widely considered a safe and effective treatment for ED, with very limited and mild side effects.

Still, the greatest benefit of Cialis is that it lasts a long time (up to 36 hours). No, that doesn't mean you'll have an erection for a long time, but rather that someone with ED can get an erection for a long time upon sexual arousal.

This way, you don't have to plan ahead and take your medicine 30 minutes to four hours before your planned sexual activity. Instead, you can take your pill in the morning and forget about it. You may even wake up the next morning and still be able to perform!

Disadvantages of Cialis

The only major disadvantage of Cialis is if you experience side effects, they may last longer, as Cialis stays in your system for up to 6 to 10 times longer than Viagra. Still, Cialis has mild side effects, similar to Viagra, including:

  • Headache
  • Indigestion
  • Back pain
  • Muscle aches
  • Flushing
  • Stuffy or runny nose

The list goes on. Again, if you experience these side effects, stop taking Cialis and talk to your doctor.

Viagra vs Cialis: Which Is Better?

There are many benefits to taking either ED medicine. Treating your ED can help improve your quality of life, your relationships, your confidence levels, and more.

Generally speaking, there is no clear winner. Viagra is a more time-tested option, but Cialis lasts longer in your system on average. It really comes down to your preference and what you and your doctor decides is right.

Where to Get Prescriptions

Both medications require a prescription, but you don't need to overspend on a prescription or waste a trip to the pharmacy. Did you know that you can order ED medicine online in Canada? That means you can get your love life back on track today!

All you have to do is talk to your doctor, let them know about your symptoms, and forward your prescription to the online store to order your ED medicine. From there, you can have it delivered right to your door!

Get the Help You Need Today

Now that we've settled the score on Viagra vs Cialis, you can see that both medicine options are excellent for treating ED. It all depends on your needs and which medicine your body prefers. Once you find the right medications for your needs, you can get back to doing what (or who) you love!

Stay up to date with our latest health tips, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions!

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