Most men know what Viagra is and how it works, but did you know that there is a less-known Cialis alternative? In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two pharmaceutical giants and how you can choose which one is right for you.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is the brand name for the drug tadalafil. It’s also the generic version of the popular ED drug Avanafil. Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which means it works by increasing the amount of blood flowing to the penis. This in turn causes the penis to become engorged with blood. As a result, the erection lasts longer and it’s easier for the man to achieve an erection.
Cialis is usually taken at least 15 minutes before sexual activity. However, it’s important to note that there’s a wealth of conflicting trial and error data when it comes to the ideal Cialis dosage. Some men have found that taking Cialis 20mg or 30mg about an hour before sex has been most effective for them. While others have reported that the best results were obtained from consuming 80mg or even 100mg at the same time as the main meal of the day. Furthermore, some men have found that splitting their dosage in two doses per day has been more effective than taking the pill as a single dose.
How Does Cialis Work?
Like Viagra, Cialis is also a PDE5 inhibitor. However, unlike Viagra, Cialis is structurally different from sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) and tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis). This means that it interacts with a different set of proteins within the body; namely, the proteins that are responsible for breaking down nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is an organic molecule that acts as a messenger molecule, transmitting messages between cells.
The more blood that flows into the penis, the more nitric oxide is produced. Just like with the ED drug Viagra, the body’s response to Cialis is independent of sexual desire and arousal. So while you may experience an enhancement in sexual performance with Cialis, you’re not necessarily going to have an increase in your desire for sexual activity. This may be desirable for men who have ED and are taking Cialis for that specific reason. Even men who are not yet at the point of ED may experience an increase in their desire for sex with the help of Cialis. Men who take nitric oxide boosters alongside Cialis can also experience a boost in their natural sexual performance.
Cialis is more effective than Viagra at raising the amount of blood flowing to the penis. This is mainly because Cialis inhibits the action of PDE5, the enzyme that breaks down nitric oxide. Inhibition of PDE5 results in an increase in the synthesis and release of NO, which then leads to increased blood flow and, eventually, an erection. Interestingly, PDE5 is also expressed in parts of the brain that are responsible for cognitive function. This could mean that even men who are not yet at the point of ED may experience a temporary decrease in their mental performance while on Cialis. However, this is generally not considered a problem and is usually not even mentioned as a side effect in medical journals.
Are You the Right Fit For Cialis?
Just like with Viagra, there are certain cases where Cialis can be dangerous, and you need to be careful about certain things. For instance, if you’re already taking medications that block nitric oxide (particularly if you’re also taking medications that block PDE5), then you should probably avoid Cialis. Even men who are not already taking any nitric oxide-blocking medications can have a negative reaction to Cialis, so care should be taken before starting on this medication. An example of such a reaction is headache or flushing. Just like with Viagra, if you experience any negative effects while taking Cialis, then you should probably stop taking it and contact your doctor. There are also cases where Cialis can interact poorly with other medications, so check with your doctor before starting any new medication regimen (particularly if it’s a nitric oxide inhibitor).
As with most prescription medications, there is also an increased risk of side effects with Cialis. Just like with Viagra, the most common side effects for Cialis include headache, asthenia (low energy), nausea, and diarrhea. In some cases, men taking Cialis have also reported an increase in their heart rate and blood pressure. While this is generally not considered a dangerous side effect for Cialis, it’s still something to be wary of and, perhaps, notify your doctor of. Finally, just like with Viagra, because Cialis increases the flow of blood to the penis, it can also cause a man to faint. So if you have a history of fainting while on Viagra, then you should probably avoid Cialis. Fortunately, this is a very rare side effect and does not seem to be a problem for most men.
Is Cialis More Effective Than Viagra?
Based on the information presented so far, it would appear that Cialis is a more effective medication than Viagra with respect to increasing blood flow to the penis and thus engorging the organ with blood. Because it inhibits the action of PDE5, Cialis prevents the breakdown of nitric oxide, which then leads to increased blood flow and, eventually, an erection. With respect to duration of erection, most men report that Cialis lasts longer than Viagra, which is probably due to the difference in their chemical structures. While Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor, acting directly on the enzyme that breaks down nitric oxide, Cialis is a combination medication, containing both an inhibitor of PDE5 and an antagonist of the α1-adrenergic receptor (in addition to other active ingredients). The combination of these three substances results in an increase in the length of time that the erection is maintained.
As was explained above, Cialis is usually taken at least 15 minutes before sexual activity. However, there is considerable variance in this time frame, and some men have found that 30 minutes is sufficient while others have reported that an hour is necessary. In addition, there is also disagreement about whether or not the medication should be taken with food, as most doctors recommend. Some men have found that eating certain foods can sometimes affect how quickly they metabolize pharmaceuticals and, in turn, how quickly they achieve an erection. This is particularly relevant if you’re the type of man who experiences the aforementioned variances in the length of time that you need to achieve an erection. As always, your best bet is to listen to what your body is telling you and do what works best for you. If you can have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, then you can’t go wrong (provided, of course, that this isn’t harmful to your overall health).
What Is the Difference Between Cialis And Avanafil?
There are also two other forms of Cialis that are currently available, one containing 100mg of tadalafil and the other containing 20mg of tadalafil. These two alternatives are known as Avanafil and Dutasteride, respectively. Like Cialis, Avanafil and Dutasteride are also PDE5 inhibitors and work in a similar way to increase blood flow and thus engorgement in the penis. However, there are differences between these three medications. For one, Avanafil is the only one of the three that is in tablet form. The other two are available in liquid form and, therefore, need to be injected. In addition, while Cialis and Avanafil both work by directly inhibiting PDE5, Dutasteride works indirectly, by inhibiting the enzyme 5α-reductase.
PDE5, 5α-reductase, and the other enzymes mentioned so far are all present in the penis. So while we’re talking about the differences between Cialis and Avanafil, it’s important to remember that all three medications will enter the penis when consumed orally and thus can have an impact on its function. In clinical trials, researchers have found that Avanafil is usually more effective than Cialis and, in some cases, even more effective than Dutasteride. Just like with the other two medications, the ideal dosage for Avanafil ranges from 20mg to 100mg and it’s usually taken at least 15 minutes before sexual activity. However, it’s still too early to say whether or not this medication will replace Cialis or Viagra within the marketplace since, as of yet, there are no published trials that compare the three drugs directly against one another.