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Viagra vs. Cialis: Which is Better? Differences and Side Effects

Written by: Jack Health Team
Reviewed by: Sarah Bento-De Sousa PharmD. RPh

Viagra and Cialis belong to the type-5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor class of medications. This article will give a summary of Cialis and Viagra with an emphasis on how they address health issues.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

The inability to consistently produce or maintain an erection of adequate quality is known as ED. Permeation and durability of sex depend on satisfactory erections. 

What is the Difference between Viagra and Cialis?

The main differences between Viagra and Cialis are the duration of effectiveness, the onset of action, and food interactions.

Efficacy and Performance

After 36 and 52 weeks, 92% and 89% of patients, respectively, said that taking Viagra pills had a beneficial effect.

Daily Cialis administration improved outcomes for 69% of men, whereas 42% of men benefited from Cialis taken on-demand.

  • Viagra works after 30-60 minutes.
  • Cialis works after 15-30 minutes.
Side Effects and Safety

Possible mild side effects include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion
  • Back pain 
  • Muscle aches
  • Flushing
  • Stuffy/runny nose
  • Dizziness
  • Rash.

 

Serious side effects are: 

  • Sudden vision loss in one/both eyes 
  • Sudden partial/ total loss of hearing
  • Heart attack
  • Priapism (a painful erection that lasts over four hours).

 

Purchasing Cialis or Viagra without a prescription is not advised.

The once-daily use of Cialis is not recommended for men with severe renal insufficiency.

Usage Guidelines
Cost Comparison

Cialis and Viagra, and their affordable generics Sildenafil and Tadalafil, come in a range of strengths and price points. 

Cialis costs CAD 2.00-17.00 per tablet, and prices of Viagra per tablet are in the range CAD 5-15.

User Reviews and Preferences

Over 80% of people who take Cialis and Viagra are pleased with the results. 

Except for minor adverse effects, the majority of users reported only positive outcomes:

  1. “Viagra will turn you into a stud. I highly discourage it for regular use, maybe once a month and only 25 mg if you don’t have an existing condition.”
  2. “From Zero to Hero. My newly reinvigorated wife calls Cialis ‘the 8th Wonder of the World!”

ED Treatment Options

Lifestyle and dietary choices that can help resolve ED are: 

  • Cutting back on alcohol and quitting smoking to increase blood flow
  • Exercise and a well-balanced diet can increase testosterone levels and erectile function.
  • Increasing sleep quality because insufficient sleep affects erectile function.

 

Based on the patient’s medical history, current medications, frequency of sexual activity, and personal preference, the healthcare provider at JackHealth will provide a tailored treatment plan. Purchasing Cialis or Viagra without a prescription is not advised since it could worsen health problems.

Jack Health offers a range of products and services designed to support male sexual function, particularly for those experiencing ED. Jack Health also offers innovative treatments like Jaxx, which combines the active ingredients from both Viagra and Cialis. Jack Health makes it easy for men to seek help without the stigma often associated with ED.

Cialis (Tadalafil)

Nitric oxide is released in the penis during sexual arousal, leading to cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation. cGMP causes the smooth muscles to relax and the penis’ blood flow to increase. 

PDE5 enzyme hydrolyses cGMP. Cialis binds to the PDE5 and prevents cGMP hydrolysis, prolonging an erection.

  • The starting dose of Cialis for use as needed is 10 mg. The dose may be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day.
  • The starting dose of Cialis for once-daily use is 2.5 mg, which may be increased to 5 mg.
Viagra (Sildenafil)

Viagra has the exact mechanism of action as Cialis. 

  • The recommended dose of Viagra, 50 mg, may be increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. The maximum dosing frequency is once per day.
Jaxx

Jaxx is a 2-in-1 treatment combining generic versions of Viagra and Cialis for faster absorption and prolonged effectiveness. Experts at JackHealth combine a unique blend of active ingredients at specific dosages to create tailored medication.

The combination of these two drugs raises some concerns, so the safest way is to obtain a prescription.

The long-term, low-dose combination of Tadalafil and Sildenafil improves outcomes more effectively compared to either medication alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Viagra and Cialis are PDE5 inhibitors 
  • Cialis and Viagra have different onset times, durations of action, and interactions with food.
  • Although the price varies depending on the brand and dosage, both drugs have affordable generic versions.
  • User reviews show that both treatments are generally well received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cialis More Powerful Than Viagra?

Cialis and Viagra are both efficient, with Cialis potentially offering longer-lasting effects and greater overall satisfaction. Cialis is generally considered to have higher mean effectiveness than Viagra, but the side effects need to be carefully considered. 

Can These Medications Be Taken with Alcohol?

Moderate alcohol use is probably safe when taking Cialis or Viagra. However, it is best to avoid alcohol and stimulants while taking these medications. Alcohol can affect a drug’s performance and increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

How Long Do the Effects of These Medications Last?

Regarding which medication has longer lasting effects, the clear winner is Cialis. Cialis’s effects last up to 36 hours and can linger in the body for up to 72 hours, whereas Viagra is effective for 4 to 6 hours and stays in the body for an extra 20 hours.

Sources:

Pantazis, A., Franco, I., & Gitlin, J. (2024). Erectile Dysfunction in Adolescents and Young Adults. Current urology reports, 25(9), 225–232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-024-01213-9

Gallegos J. L. (2023). Erectile Dysfunction: Current Best Practices. The Nursing clinics of North America, 58(4), 483–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2023.06.001

Pușcașu, C., Zanfirescu, A., Negreș, S., & Șeremet, O. C. (2023). Exploring the Multifaceted Potential of Sildenafil in Medicine. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 59(12), 2190. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59122190

Viagra product monograph by Health Canada

Huang SA, Lie JD. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction. P T. 2013 Jul;38(7):407-19. PMID: 24049429; PMCID: PMC3776492.

Tadalafil drug details by Health Canada

Viagra doses

Cialis doses

Lim, P. H., Moorthy, P., & Benton, K. G. (2002). The clinical safety of viagra. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 962, 378–388. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2002.tb04082.x

Steers, W., Guay, A. T., Leriche, A., Gingell, C., Hargreave, T. B., Wright, P. J., Price, D. E., & Feldman, R. A. (2001). Assessment of the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in men with erectile dysfunction during long-term treatment. International journal of impotence research, 13(5), 261–267. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900714

Frajese GV, Pozzi F, Frajese G. Tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction; an overview of the clinical evidence. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):439-49. doi: 10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.439. PMID: 18046921; PMCID: PMC2699638.

Viagra price Canada Pharmacy

Cialis price Canada Direct

Cui, H., Liu, B., Song, Z., Fang, J., Deng, Y., Zhang, S., Wang, H., & Wang, Z. (2015). Efficacy and safety of long-term tadalafil 5 mg once daily combined with sildenafil 50 mg as needed at the early stage of treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction. Andrologia, 47(1), 20–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12216

Viagra reviews

Cialis reviews

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