Sildenafil citrate, better known under the trade name Viagra, has long been considered to be the gold standard among erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. Developed in the early 1990s, Viagra has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of successful sexual intercourse among those who take it, helping to improve their quality of life.
Though not quite as well-known as Viagra, the drug Cialis has also been shown to produce very positive results when it comes to treating ED. And while both medications have similar active ingredients, they work in slightly different ways to produce their desired effects, making them both quite versatile tools in your medicine cabinet.
But which one is stronger, Viagra or Cialis? Let’s dive into the comparison and find out.
The History Behind Viagra And Cialis
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of comparing the strengths of these two drugs, it’s important to take a step back and understand a bit of their history. First developed in the 1960s, Cialis was originally designed to be a short-term medication. Used for treating conditions such as angina (chest pain caused by arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure, Cialis was developed as a combination drug with acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
In the mid-1990s, pharmaceutical company Roche discovered that Cialis was more effective when used in combination with tadalafil, a drug already being used to treat PD (premature ejaculation). With this combination, dubbed Compound S (formerly Cialis Compound R), Roche went on to market a new, extended-release (ER) form of Cialis, allowing the medication to be taken once or twice daily. As a result of this innovation, the likelihood of effective medication increased, as did the user’s quality of life.
Though Viagra was launched in the early 1990s, it wasn’t until the following decade that it began to see widespread use in treating ED. Developed by Pfizer, Viagra is a sildenafil citrate analogue that was first approved for use in the United States in 2006. Its approval in the country was followed by that of Canada, Australia, and several other countries. In the meantime, Viagra’s active ingredient had been shown to improve the quality of life of men with ED, allowing them to successfully complete intercourse once more. This impactful discovery resulted in increased sales and research funding for Pfizer, leading the way to further development of sildenafil and other Viagra analogues.
The drug is now approved for use in the UK, as well as numerous other countries, and has been shown to be effective in both sildenafil and tadalafil analogues. In 2018 alone, Viagra sales were valued at nearly $12 billion.
How Do They Work?
Both Cialis and Viagra work by relaxing the muscles in the penile (or male) part of the human body, allowing blood to flow into the penile chambers. The increased blood flow into these chambers causes the penis to become erect (or stand up) and grow larger than usual, thus increasing the man’s erection confidence.
The sildenafil in Cialis is broken down into cyclic adenosine monophosphate (c AMP) by the enzyme phosphodiesterase, while the sildenafil in Viagra is more susceptible to breakdown by the enzyme esterase.
The phosphodiesterase inhibition causes a change in the reaction of c AMP to adenosine, increasing its half-life. As a result, more c AMP is created, leading to a greater potent effect. In addition to its active ingredients, both Cialis and Viagra contain propylparaben, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate, which are all suspects in the development of cancer.
The Forms And Stereotypes
Both Cialis and Viagra are available in pill form and in tablet form, and although there is no evidence to suggest that the form matters when it comes to effectiveness, it’s still good practice to always use the form that your physician prescribes.
One of the most significant differences between Cialis and Viagra is the stereotypes associated with each medication. Where Cialis is often linked to older men and their dealing with impotence, Viagra is more often associated with gay males and their dealing with an intimate partner’s unfaithfulness. Though both medications can be effective in treating ED, these stereotypes can sometimes make it difficult for a man to talk about his sexual limitations with his doctor or in a support group. In today’s world, where more and more gay males are feeling more secure in talking about their sexuality, this stereotype may be just as inaccurate as it was in years past.
Comparison Of Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) And Tadalafil (Cialis)
When it comes to effectiveness and user friendliness, Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) is generally considered to be the silver medicine compared to the gold standard of Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis). Though both sources are effective in relieving ED, the difference in effectiveness, cost, and side effects makes the choice of medicine a personal one.
Here is a summary of the key differences between Tadalafil (Cialis) and Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra):