Used by millions of men in the United States alone, Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are the most commonly used medications for treating erectile dysfunction, and for good reason; they both have similar effects, and both help you enjoy better sexual performance.
In a Cialis vs. Viagra competition, which competitor will win?
The truth is that there are some key points that make a difference and show that in some medications, one is better than another.
Below we've compared a variety of factors, from the amount of time the effects last in your body, to the time it takes for each medication to start working, to potential side effects and interactions you need to know about before using any of these medications.
How do Cialis and Viagra work?
Before we begin to describe the differences between Cialis and Viagra, it is important to explain how they work.
Cialis contains a substance called tadalafil. Tadalafil is a PDE5 inhibitor, which works by increasing blood flow to the soft tissue of the penis. By increasing blood flow, tadalafil makes it possible for you to get and maintain an erection when your sexual appetite is active.
Viagra contains a substance called Sildenafil; like tadalafil, Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the erectile tissue of the penis.
Because both drugs work by increasing blood flow, they can be counterproductive when mixed with medications used to treat high blood pressure. If you have heart disease or are on high blood pressure medications, it is important to consult with your doctor before using Cialis or Viagra.
Which medicine has longer lasting effects?
The fundamental difference between Cialis and Viagra is the amount of time the medication remains active in your system.
Cialis is a long-acting medication for treating erectile dysfunction; on average, up to two days after taking it, because it lasts so long it has been nicknamed by users and mass media, the “weekend pill”.
This means that Cialis is a great option if you want to make sure you get an erection, but you don't know exactly when you'll have sex; if you're going on a weekend getaway with your partner or just want to be prepared for the right moment, one dose of Cialis will be more than enough.
Viagra, on the other hand, is a short-acting medication to treat erectile dysfunction, Viagra lasts for approximately 5-6 hours , but the effects of the medication begin to wear off within 3-4 hours after you take it.
This means that Viagra is a very good option if you need short-acting medications to treat your erectile dysfunction and feel confident for just a few hours.
While Cialis is a great option if you want effects for an entire weekend, Viagra is a great option if you know for sure exactly when you will have sex.
It's important to remember that Cialis and Viagra do not last exactly 24-36 hours, or 5-6 hours. Factors such as your weight, eating habits, and cardiovascular conditions may affect how long each medication lasts.
Verdict:
Cialis lasts longer and is better for the weekend, while Viagra is usually a better choice if you only need the effect for a few hours.
Which medicine is most effective?
Cialis and Viagra are the most effective medications for treating erectile dysfunction; clinical trials of both drugs show that more than 80% of men who have used the recommended dose of Viagra have successfully achieved erections.
A clinical trial of Cialis shows that 81% of men reported that the drug caused them better erections, 71% of men who suffer from severe erectile dysfunction problems reported better erections with the use of Cialis.
A clinical trial of Viagra showed that 82% of men reported improved erections after taking 100 mg doses of the drug; Viagra is equally effective if you take lower doses, with 62% and 74% of men reporting improvements with 25 mg and 50 mg doses.
In summary, Cialis and Viagra are equally effective in treating erectile dysfunction, both medications produce a noticeable improvement in the quality of erection at a normal dose, and equally produce good results at lower doses.
Verdict:
Cialis and Viagra work equally well for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, with no difference in terms of erection quality and sexual intercourse.
Which medicine acts faster?
Cialis and Viagra both start working after you take them; a dose of Cialis usually starts working, improving your erection, about 30 minutes after you take it; it can take up to two hours for Cialis to start taking full effect.
Most of the time, Viagra starts to work about 30 minutes after you take it, it can take up to an hour for Viagra to be fully effective, this means you'll want to take it an hour before you have sex.
Verdict:
Both medications start to work in about 30 minutes after taking them, but it could take up to an hour to produce optimal results; Cialis could even take up to two hours to reach full concentration.
Are Viagra and Cialis affected by your eating habits?
Cialis is not affected by food, this means that it will start working at the same time regardless of whether you are on an empty or full stomach.
On the other hand, Viagra could be affected by your eating habits. Eating high-fat foods could slow down the absorption of the medication, meaning that the effects of Viagra could be delayed for up to an hour after taking it.
For best results, it is recommended to take Viagra on an empty stomach, once you plan to have sex; if you need to eat before taking Viagra, it is recommended that you avoid consuming foods with a high concentration of fat, as this makes it more likely that your body will slowly absorb the medication.
Verdict:
Because Cialis is not affected by food consumption, this is a good option if you need to consume food before taking medication.
Cialis Side Effects vs. Viagra Side Effects
The side effects of Cialis and Viagra are very similar, as the effects of the drugs are also very similar when acting on your body; the most common side effects caused by the drugs can be: headache, nasal congestion, facial flushing, indigestion or upset stomach and temporary blurred vision.
Muscle aches may also be a side effect of Cialis and Viagra, although this is not as common as the others mentioned; it is also likely that the increase in Nitric Oxide caused by Viagra or Cialis may cause mild dizziness.
Side effects of Cialis and Viagra. They will usually occur when the effects of the medication are also active in your body, however, these side effects are likely to occur even when the medication is less active in your body.
Cialis and Viagra can both cause priapism (persistent, painful erection that can last up to 4 hours); this is a side effect that does not happen that often. If you experience a persistent, painful erection for up to 4 hours after using any of these medications, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Since Cialis stays concentrated in your body for longer, you may notice that the side effects of Cialis may also last longer; if you are prone to Cialis side effects, then Viagra may be a good option to reduce the side effects.
You may also be able to reduce the side effects of Cialis and Viagra by taking a lower dose of the medication.
Verdict:
The side effects of Viagra and Cialis are almost identical; because Cialis has longer lasting effects on your body, its side effects may also last longer.
Our Guide to What to Expect from Erectile Dysfunction Medications provides more details on the potential side effects of Cialis and Viagra, as well as their main causes.
Which medicine is safer?
Cialis and Viagra are both extremely safe medications; studies show few side effects and an excellent track record for both medications; however, Cialis and Viagra may not be as safe if used in conjunction with other medications such as:
- Nitrates, or any other medications to treat high blood pressure, should not be used with Cialis or Viagra; when used at the same time, nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors can cause a significant drop in blood pressure that can lead to serious health problems.
- Having a glass of wine, beer, or other soft drink after taking Viagra or Cialis is perfectly safe; you should avoid drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages while taking Cialis or Viagra. Combining alcohol with PDE5 inhibitors may cause orthostatic hypotension.
- Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice; may affect the metabolism of tadalafil and sildenafil in your body. (Active ingredients in Cialis and Viagra). When using these medications you should avoid eating foods that contain grapefruit. If you have a heart condition, you should tell your doctor if you consider taking Cialis or Viagra.
Overall, Cialis and Viagra are both safe and effective medications. As with any prescription medication, you should talk to your doctor about your symptoms and overall health before taking any ED treatment.
Verdict:
Aside from the fact that Cialis and Viagra have very similar effects, both medications are very effective at any dose.
Cialis is available in 4 different dosages.
- 10 mg. This is the recommended dose to start trying Cialis, your doctor may recommend Cialis at 10 mg if you have never taken this medication before. Younger men with erectile dysfunction generally experience good results with this 10 mg dose.
- 20 mg. This is the highest dose of Cialis. If your body does not respond to the 10 mg dose, or you find that you do not have enough improvements, you should talk to your doctor if you want to change to this 20 mg dose.
- 5 mg and 5 mg, these doses are designed for daily use, known as “daily Cialis” these low dose Cialis tablets are designed for men with erectile dysfunction, and who would like to have sex spontaneously, that is, without having to plan and take medication in advance.
Viagra is available in three different doses:
- 50 mg: This is usually the recommended dose to start using Viagra. Your doctor may prescribe this dose if you are young and have mild to moderate erectile dysfunction and have never used medication to treat it before.
- 100 mg: This is the highest dose of Viagra available, this dose is usually prescribed if the 50 mg dose does not produce a noticeable improvement for you.
- 25 mg – This is the lowest dose of Viagra available, many young men who suffer from low levels of Erectile Dysfunction have noticed improvements with this dose of Viagra. With this dose you are also less likely to experience side effects such as headache, facial flushing, or indigestion.
Which medicine is better?
There is actually no “best” medication when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction; Cialis and Viagra both produce similar effects, but each has its own advantages.
- If you need a medication that has long-lasting effects and allows you to have sex at any time (within two days after taking it) without having to plan when to take it, you will probably prefer to take Cialis.
- If you prefer a medication that lasts a short time, and allows you to have sex only for a certain amount of time and the medication does not stay in your system for a long time, you will prefer to take Viagra.
Learn more about treatments for erectile dysfunction.
Are you looking for a reliable, science-backed treatment for erectile dysfunction? We have the solution! Our guide to the most common erectile dysfunction treatments compares Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil).
You can also learn about our guide on how to use erectile dysfunction medications, which covers everything about what to eat before using Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors and their potential interaction.
This article is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be used as professional medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.