Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil: Which is the best ED medication for you?
Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil
Advances in the medical field have provided several treatment options for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Doctors prescribe tadalafil (Cialis) or sildenafil citrate (Viagra) to treat ED.
Both are safe and the most commonly prescribed ED medications. But we are not all biologically the same. Also, some men are more sexually active than others. So, which is the best ED medication for you?
What are the similarities between tadalafil and sildenafil?
What they are:
Sildenafil and tadalafil are active ingredients in ED medications. Both drugs are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors available in the UK under several brand names.
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis, Adcirca, and ALYQ. And sildenafil is used to make Viagra and Revatio. Viagra and Cialis relax the spongy muscles in the blood vessels which supply blood to the penis.
How they work:
The human body has cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This substance relaxes smooth muscle tissues. It dilates the blood vessels, allowing them to carry more blood.
So, cGMP improves blood flow to the penis to enable firm erections. But the human body also has PDE5. This enzyme can bind to cGMP and break it down. Erectile dysfunction occurs when PDE5 interferes with the function of cGMP.
PDE5 inhibitors, like tadalafil and sildenafil, treat ED by stopping PDE5 from breaking down cGMP. They also boost cGMP production to improve blood flow to the penis.
How to take them?
Men with ED can take tadalafil or sildenafil citrate tablets to achieve and maintain firm erections. But never take sildenafil and tadalafil together because both work via a similar mechanism.
Sildenafil and tadalafil require a sexual stimulus to deliver a firm erection. You’ll have to be sexually aroused for Cialis or Viagra for men to work.
Another similarity between tadalafil and sildenafil is how they interact with nitrates. Both are contraindicated with nitrates.
side effects
Also, PDE5 inhibitors share several side effects, including headache, flushing, nasal congestion, vision changes, indigestion, and muscle pain.
But the severity of the complications varies depending on the ED medication used, age, underlying health issues, and other factors.
For example, Viagra for men has a higher risk of vision changes than Cialis. Some people can experience muscle pain after taking Cialis, but they don’t have this side effect from Viagra.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are medically approved, safe, and effective in treating ED. Both don’t affect arousal or libido. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine whether sildenafil or tadalafil is the best ED medication.
What are the differences between tadalafil and sildenafil?
Sildenafil and tadalafil can help men with ED. Both drugs were approved by the European Medicines Agency and the US FDA to treat erectile dysfunction over two decades ago. But they are not the same. Here are the differences between sildenafil and tadalafil:
Ø Dosage: Sildenafil tablets come in three strength levels – 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Most men use Viagra 50 mg tablets.
You can take one 100 mg Viagra tablet if 50 mg doesn't deliver the desired result. Your doctor can reduce the dose from 100 mg of Viagra to 50 or 25 mg if you experience side effects.
Tadalafil comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10, and 20 mg. Most men with erectile dysfunction only need tadalafil 10 mg to achieve and maintain an erection. You can also buy Tadalafil 20 mg if 10 mg isn’t working.
✅ Usage: You take sildenafil tablets before sex. So, Viagra for men is best suited for occasional use. You can take tadalafil on an as-needed basis or daily.
Doctors prescribe Cialis tablets with 2.5 mg to 5 mg of tadalafil for daily usage. You'll need tadalafil 50 mg or 100 mg before sex to achieve an erection.
Certain foods affect Viagra. So, doctors recommend that patients take sildenafil tablets on an empty stomach. You’ll have to wait 1 to 2 hours after eating before using Viagra. Food doesn’t affect the effectiveness of tadalafil.
✅ Effect onset: Tadalafil is faster-acting than sildenafil tablets. You can take tadalafil at least 30 minutes before sex. However, some men may have to wait up to 2 hours for tadalafil to peak.
Sildenafil starts working after an hour. So, you should take Viagra for men at least one hour before sex.
✅ Effect duration: Tadalafil has a longer-lasting effect than sildenafil tablets. This ED medication remains active in the body for up to 36 hours.
So, you can achieve an erection when you're sexually aroused during the 36 hours. On average, Viagra for men remains effective for 4 to 6 hours. Ensure you take tadalafil or sildenafil tablets when you’re sexually aroused to maximize their effectiveness.
✅ Cost: Both tadalafil and sildenafil tablets are affordable ED medications. However, Cialis costs slightly more than Viagra for men. The difference in the price tag is attributed to the longer-lasting effects of tadalafil in Cialis tablets.
Cialis and Viagra for men are the best erectile dysfunction medications in the UK. Whether you use tadalafil or sildenafil tablets, ensure you follow your doctor's dosage instructions.
Most men take tadalafil 10 mg or 20 mg to achieve and maintain an erection. One 100 mg Sildenafil citrate tablet is enough to improve sexual health and abilities.
How do you choose the best ED medication for you?
Tadalafil and sildenafil tablets can treat mild, moderate, and severe erectile dysfunction. But all men are not the same. Analyze the pros and cons of tadalafil and sildenafil tablets based on your sexual needs, medical history, budget, and other factors to choose the best ED medication.
For example, you can buy tadalafil 20 mg instead of 100 mg Viagra tablets if you experience side effects after taking sildenafil.
Tadalafil is the longer-lasting best option. You can buy sildenafil citrate tablets 100mg (Viagra for men) if you need a budget-friendly ED medication for occasional use. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best ED drug.
Bottom Line
Doctors prescribe tadalafil or sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Both have several similarities and differences.
But which is the best ED medication for you? Analyze the pros and cons of tadalafil versus sildenafil tablets. Then, choose the best option based on your unique needs and situation.
Tadalafil is longer-lasting than sildenafil tablets. So, you can buy Tadalafil 10 mg or 20 mg instead of Viagra for men if you plan for sex within 36 hours.
You can get 100 mg Viagra tablets for occasional use. Ensure you buy tadalafil and sildenafil tablets from a registered and trusted UK pharmacy.