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Dr Clare Morrison

Article by Dr Clare Morrison

Cialis vs Viagra – An In-Depth Comparison


Comparison of Cialis vs Viagra

Viagra and Cialis are two popular erectile dysfunction treatments. We compare several factors including how fast they work, cost, duration, effectiveness and more. Find out which treatment is more effective for you!

Cialis (Tadalafil)

Viagra (Sildenafil)

Price  Prices start from £20  Prices start from £20
Prescription required? Yes Yes
Active ingredient Tadalafil Sildenafil
Dosage Available in 2.5, 5, 10 and 20mg tablets Available in 25, 50 and 100mg tablets
Effectiveness Works for 81 percent of men Works for 82 percent of men
How fast does it work? Works as quickly as 15-20 minutes. Cialis Daily is also available, which works throughout the day Works within thirty minutes of taking the pill
How long does it last? Effects can last up to 36 hours Remains active for four to six hours
How to take May be taken with or without food. Be careful to avoid taking with greasy or fatty foods, or eating or drinking grapefruit, as this can affect how the drug works Best if taken on an empty stomach as food can slow absorption and reduce effectiveness. Be careful to avoid eating or drinking grapefruit, as this can affect how the drug works
Selling point Is available in lower doses and is long- lasting – which means you won’t need to time your sexual activity Has been around much longer than other treatments, and has a proven track record for safety and success.  Generic Sildenafil provides a very cost-effective treatment option
Side effects Facial flushing, headache, indigestion, and a stuffy or runny nose Facial flushing, headache, indigestion, and a stuffy or runny nose. May also cause a green-blue visual tinge

What is Cialis?

Cialis is the brand name of the drug Tadalafil. Cialis Daily is a low dosage tablet which is taken once a day and allows you to achieve an erection at any time of the day or night. Cialis 36-hour is taken 15-20 minutes before sex and works for as long as 36 hours. Since November 2017, Cialis has been available as the generic medicine Tadalafil.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is the best-known treatment for erectile dysfunction and has been licensed for use for over 15 years. Millions of men across the world have found it to be a very effective treatment. Since 2013, Viagra has been available as a generic medicine called Sildenafil. As a consequence, the price for Sildenafil has fallen substantially.

How do Cialis and Viagra work?

Cialis, like Viagra (Sildenafil), is what is known as a PDE-5 inhibitor. When sexually stimulated, the PDE-5 class of drugs maintain a relaxed muscle state and increase the flow of blood to the penis to facilitate an erection. PDE-5 inhibitors do not increase interest or sexual desire and are only used to treat the physical problems associated with erectile dysfunction.

Does Cialis work more quickly than Viagra?

Although both have a fast onset of action, Cialis works faster than Viagra. While Viagra usually takes about 20-30 minutes, Cialis can work in 15-20 minutes. Cialis is also available as Cialis Daily, which is taken once a day, and will enable you to achieve an erection anytime throughout the day.

Winner: Cialis

Does Cialis last longer than Viagra?

Cialis has a longer duration of action than Viagra, and can remain in the body for up to 36 hours. This has earned it the reputation of “The Weekend Pill”. This benefits you because you don’t need to pre-plan your dosage close to any expected sexual activity, but instead can utilise its effects up to 12, and sometimes 36 hours after taking it.

Winner: Cialis

Is Viagra more effective than Cialis?

Both medications have a high success rate, helping the majority of men to regain control over their erection. In clinical trials for Viagra, Viagra 100mg  was effective at treating 82 percent of patients; while in clinical trial data for Cialis, 81 percent of patients found that Cialis improved their erections. The clinical trial data indicates that both are effective and there is no significant difference between the two drugs.

Winner: Draw

Can Cialis or Viagra be taken with food?

Cialis can be taken with or without food without affecting how quickly it starts to work. Viagra on the other hand should be taken on an empty stomach otherwise it may take longer to take effect.
Winner: Cialis

Does Cialis have fewer side effects than Viagra?

As both drugs work in the same way, they share many of the same side effects. These include face flushing, headaches and indigestion.  However, Viagra also has a few other effects that don’t seem to affect users of Cialis to the same extent, such as rash, visual disturbance and diarrhoea.  Headaches also occur more commonly with Viagra, but may last longer with Cialis.  If any of these affect you after taking a dose of Viagra, Cialis may be a better option.

Winner: Cialis

Conclusion: Which is Better – Cialis vs Viagra?

Cialis is a more modern, effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. Cialis appears to offer advantages over Viagra for most desirable attributes for an erectile dysfunction medication, including duration of action, onset of action and less side effects. Both treatments are available as generic medicines at a similar price.
Winner: Cialis

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Dr Clare Morrison
Dr Clare Morrison
Experienced General Practitioner in Hampshire since 1995, with particular interest in Nutrition, Obesity and Smoking Cessation.
Originally published February 05 2015, updated July 05 2019