You might be asking yourself, “What is the difference between Viagra and Cialis?
Which should I buy if I want to improve my sex life?” Well, you’re in the right place.
Here, we’ll discuss the differences between these two popular erectile dysfunction medications so you can choose which one is best for you.
Side Effects
Both men’s pills contain sildenafil; however, one of them is more potent and has fewer side effects.
Sildenafil is well-known for its effectiveness in treating erectile dysfunction.
It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, causing muscles to relax and expanding the blood vessels in the penis.
Although sildenafil is a very effective drug and has helped countless men improve their sex lives,
it’s not without its side effects.
Since it’s the active ingredient in both Viagra and Cialis,
it’s not surprising that they share many of the same side effects.
Here is a short overview of the most common side effects of sildenafil, as reported by Men’s Health (2019).
- Headache
- Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
- Lightheadedness
- Diabetes
- Blurred Vision
- Mild Rash
- Flatulence (Gas)
- Difficulty in Concentration
In comparison, the second most popular drug for erectile dysfunction, the generic name for vardenafil, has fewer side effects.
Only six of the above-listed side effects have been reported in association with vardenafil, as per the FDA (2019).
These are headache, dyspepsia, lightheadedness, blurred vision, rash, and difficulty in concentration.
Again, as with sildenafil, vardenafil can lead to interactions with other medicines, so it’s important to consult your physician prior to taking it.
Price
Viagra is a relatively inexpensive drug.
A 100 mg dose costs only $1.89 at most pharmacies.
It is also one of the most widely available male pills in the market,
with many different generic and branded versions available.
It is a commonly prescribed drug and is usually recommended for people who need to save money for other medications or medical procedures.
It’s a great choice for people who want to save money for other things,
especially if they plan on using the medication repeatedly.
In contrast, Cialis is a much more expensive drug.
A typical dose for the oral drug is $22.99, and it can be up to 4-5 times more expensive than Viagra.
However, it is also a much more potent drug, with significantly fewer side effects.
The drug is also only available through a limited number of pharmacies,
mostly because it’s so expensive.
Therefore, if you want to try Cialis, you will have to do so in a clinical trial setting or through an official physician recommendation.
Duration of Action
One of the significant advantages of sildenafil is that it has a much longer duration of action than vardenafil.
This is a great feature if you want to continue to enjoy the benefits of the medication for a longer period of time.
Sildenafil usually takes about an hour to begin with and then continues to exert its effects for up to 4 hours,
making it a perfect drug for people who want to have longer sessions with their partner.
Vardenafil also has a relatively long duration of action, but it doesn’t last as long as sildenafil, only about 1.5 to 2 hours.
The main reason for this shortcoming is that vardenafil is rapidly eliminated from the body, so it needs to be administered more frequently than once per day.
Treatment Of Disease
Another advantage of sildenafil is that it has been proven to treat
diseases that vardenafil can’t.
Men’s Health (2019) states that sildenafil has been clinically shown to be more effective than vardenafil in treating the following diseases:
- Elevated Liver Enzymes
- Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure)
- Stroke
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Disease Progression (Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV))
These findings make sildenafil a great choice for people who are already suffering from one of these diseases.
Or, if you’re just starting to show signs of one of these illnesses, your physician may recommend that you try sildenafil first to see if it helps, before you try vardenafil, as it may be more effective in treating your particular case.
Ongoing Therapy
Some men’s pills, including vardenafil, need to be continuously taken in order to maintain their effects.
This is usually the case with medications for erectile dysfunction and may require follow-up visits to the doctor’s office or counseling sessions with a professional.
In contrast, sildenafil does not have this kind of ongoing therapy requirement.
Instead, it only needs to be administered once or twice per day and doesn’t need to be maintained at the same dosage level.
This makes sildenafil a much more convenient drug to use and ensures that it will be more effective over time.
Overlapping Or Similar Use
One of the significant advantages of sildenafil is that it has been demonstrated to have a very low risk of drug interactions.
This is mainly because it does not interact with most medications, and when it does, the drug interaction is usually very weak.
Therefore, it is possible for a man to use sildenafil without worrying about potentially harming his own health.
Although sildenafil is a very effective drug and has helped countless men improve their sex lives,
it’s not without its side effects, and it can be very expensive.
However, if you’re looking for a drug to treat erectile dysfunction, sildenafil is the clear choice.
It has been around for nearly 30 years and has been proven to be very effective in treating this specific condition.
If you’re deciding between Viagra and Cialis, consider their cost and the listed side effects, as they may be more relevant to you than which company makes the medication.