In the middle of 2017, the world witnessed the advent of two powerful drugs that changed the face of medicine and, quite possibly, saved lives. One of these drugs is Cialis, which was approved by the FDA in April 2017 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The other is Viagra, which was approved for the same purpose in August 2017.
While both medications are effective and transformative, they are, in fact, quite different and, as a result, are suitable for treating different conditions. This article will compare and contrast the two drugs, including how they perform, what doses are suitable, and which patients may benefit most from which drug.
What Is Cialis?
Cialis is an oral drug that is used to treat erectile dysfunction and its side effects, including low blood pressure and headaches. The benefits of Cialis outweigh the risks in almost every case, and the medication has a very good safety profile. In fact, it is generally considered the least risky of the ED medications currently available.
Made by Pfizer, Cialis is available as a generic medication and is commonly prescribed for the treatment of ED, as it is effective in over 80% of patients. Another advantage of Cialis is that it treats both mild to moderate ED and is also suitable for people with diabetes, as it does not adversely affect their blood sugar levels. Additionally, since it does not cause severe vasoconstriction like other ED medications, it may be safer for patients with cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, before taking Cialis, one must be aware of its contraindications and drug interactions, as per the prescribing information released by the FDA.
What Is Viagra?
As mentioned above, Viagra was approved by the FDA in August 2017 for the treatment of ED. Like Cialis, Viagra is an oral medication that is used to treat ED and its side effects. Like many other ED medications, the benefits of Viagra outweigh the risks in almost every case. This much-needed medication is a great alternative for men who want or need to keep their sex drive, as its benefits can help to improve their sex life. Specifically, Viagra is used to treat impotence, which is a medical condition characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for comfortable sex. In clinical trials, Viagra was shown to be nearly as effective as the injected ED drug, Sildenafil, in treating impotence. Additionally, many men report that taking Viagra helps to improve their sex lives, as it allows them to reach orgasm more regularly and intensely. Thus, for all of these reasons, like Cialis, this drug is considered an effective and safe alternative for men whose sex life is suffering because of ED. As with any new medication or treatment, there are always risks associated with taking Viagra, including but not limited to the risk of cardiovascular disease, liver toxicity, and kidney damage. Like all ED medications, this much-needed medication can also cause vision problems because it constricts the blood vessels in the eye, which can lead to vision problems or even partial loss of vision. Lastly, as with any new medication or treatment, men must be aware of the potential side effects of Viagra, as it is a powerful drug that can have serious effects on patients’ health if taken in large doses or for an extended period of time. Fortunately, these risks are generally rare, and the benefits of this drug typically outweigh the risks in almost every case.
Like Cialis and Viagra, Eligard is another common medication that is used to treat ED. This drug was approved by the FDA in 2010 and is a combination of vardenafil (a PDE-5 inhibitor) and toradol (an analgesic). As with the other ED medications, the benefits of Eligard outweigh the risks in almost every case. In fact, in a clinical trial comparing Eligard to Sildenafil, the combination of vardenafil and toradol was shown to be more effective than Sildenafil in improving erectile function in patients with ED. Additionally, like Cialis and Viagra, this drug treats both mild to moderate ED and is also suitable for patients with diabetes, as it does not adversely affect their blood sugar levels. Moreover, since it does not cause severe vasoconstriction like other ED medications, it may be safer for patients with cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, before taking Eligard, one must be aware of its contraindications and drug interactions, as per the prescribing information released by the FDA. The most significant contraindication is a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Additionally, this medication should not be used by men on nitrate medication (prescribed for heart disease), as it may cause an interaction that could be dangerous.
Which One Should I Choose?
With the previously discussed medications, it is evident that they are both safe and effective for the treatment of ED. Moreover, as both are suitable for people with diabetes, they may be safer for men with cardiovascular disease. Nonetheless, since each drug treats a different condition, it would be advisable to choose one over the other, depending on the patient. For instance, if a man is already on blood pressure medication, then Cialis may not be the best choice, as it has a tendency to increase blood pressure. If, however, a man’s main issue is a lack of blood flow to the penis, then Viagra may be a safer option. In cases where the ED is caused by nerve damage (as in cases of Parkinson’s Disease or multiple sclerosis), then a trial treatment with Cialis may be necessary before prescribing this drug, as it can sometimes cause nerve damage in patients whose ED is not caused by nerve damage. In each case, the decision to prescribe one of these medications should be based on the patient’s specific needs and the drugs’ respective benefits and risks. It is also advisable to ensure that the pharmacist is aware of any other medication the patient is taking, as drug interactions are common and can sometimes be fatal.
In choosing between these two medications, it is important to keep in mind that Cialis is generally considered the least risky of the ED medications currently available. Moreover, if a patient is already taking a PDE-5 inhibitor (like sildenafil or vardenafil), then switching to another oral ED medication may not be beneficial, as it could lead to overdosing. In fact, sildenafil and vardenafil are both competitive inhibitors of PDE-5 (phosphodiesterase-5), and this property may lead to serious toxicity if the dose is not adjusted. Furthermore, if a patient is already taking sildenafil or vardenafil, then it may not be advisable to try a PDE-5 inhibitor plus ED medication, as the sildenafil or vardenafil may prevent the other from working properly. In some cases, this may be serious and result in the patient not enjoying the benefits of the combined medication. Last but not least, the efficacy of Cialis in treating certain conditions, including some types of nerve damage and high blood pressure, makes it a valuable medication that should not be under- or overprescribed.
When Do I Try One vs. the Other?
Once the patient’s specific needs and the respective benefits and risks of Cialis and Viagra have been discussed, it is advisable to try one first and then switch to the other, if necessary. There are some instances where the benefits of Cialis clearly outweigh the risks, including patients with diabetes and those who are already on blood pressure medication. However, in most cases, switching to another medication, such as Viagra, is necessary Once Cialis begins to take effect, as it typically builds up in the body’s tissues over time. In general, the longer one stays on a PDE-5 inhibitor, the more one’s needs for a subsequent medication to treat ED will decline. Once it reaches its peak effect, patients may need to switch medications to maintain adequate erections. It is also important to note here that while Cialis is generally considered the less risky of the two medications, it may still cause adverse reactions, including but not limited to vision problems, in some patients. Additionally, since both of these medications treat ED, they may both be accompanied by similar side effects, including anorgasmia (loss of interest in sex), headache, flushing, and rhinitis (independant from other medication). Fortunately, these adverse reactions are generally benign and of minor importance.