Cialis and Viagra are presented as opposites — as though one must be objectively greater or more sophisticated ED pill.
Not so.
Both medicines facilitate blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation, and both can contribute to harder erections, but neither stimulates desire, nor guarantees that sex will turn out perfectly. They differ in a far more practical way – Viagra is a specific-night drug, while Cialis grants a much more expansive window of opportunity.
For men, the choice boils down to timing.
Viagra requires some careful planning
Viagra (sildenafil) is usually taken around an hour before sex and remains useful for roughly four hours.
A man may respond 30 minutes after taking Viagra, but counting on that to happen can transform the evening into a clock-watching exercise – giving the tablet an hour is safer.
Dinner matters – a rich and fatty meal can delay the onset of sildenafil and make the drug appear less potent, explaining a fair number of disappointing first-time attempts. The pill was taken correctly, but it was washed down with a heavy dinner and several alcoholic drinks.
Alcohol also exerts its independent influence – a small amount may be acceptable for some men, but heavy drinking can blunt an erection regardless of the drug, and taking an extra Viagra tablet rarely resolves the issue.
The shorter window has its upside – those who suffer from headache, facial flushing or congestion often prefer the reassurance that these effects should largely disappear by the following morning.
Cialis provides more time to relax.
Cialis (tadalafil), meanwhile, takes effect within 30-60 minutes and can last for up to 36 hours – this does not mean a 36-hour erection, but getting and maintaining one may be easier.
The wider window eliminates some of the pressure to predict when sex will happen, while a dose taken on a Friday evening can still be effective on the Saturday night, without the fear that the tablet – and the opportunity – are being wasted if plans change.
A rich and fatty meal will not significantly delay tadalafil, reducing the concerns over dining out.
Cialis also has daily-dose variants – a low-dose tablet keeps tadalafil in the system, enabling sex to happen without any advance medication. This can be a better option for couples who have sex regularly or for men who do not want the prospect of medication to overshadow the event.
Daily tadalafil can also reduce the urinary symptoms of enlarged prostate, which Viagra is not licensed to treat.
Does one produce a better erection?
Clinical trials confirm that both drugs are effective for many men with erectile dysfunction, but individual reactions are less predictable.
One man may feel that Viagra produces a firmer erection, while another is unimpressed by the drug’s effects but positively glowing about Cialis because he is not plagued by worries of timing.
Anxiety holds sway in this scenario – a man who swallows Viagra at eight o’clock and feels that he must deliver the goods before midnight will find every delay grating and potentially damaging to his performance. Cialis, meanwhile, gives him far more leeway – and makes the whole affair feel less like a medical intervention.
That does not make tadalafil chemically superior – it just suits this man.
A failed first dose does not settle the matter either – the medicine was taken with a plentiful meal, drowned in alcohol or simply failed to find sufficient stimulation. Several doses taken at the correct time are usually needed before a fair judgment can be made.
They share similar side effects – but not entirely
Headache, flushing, indigestion, blocked nose and dizziness can occur with either medicine.
Sildenafil is more likely to cause temporary visual disturbances, such as a heightened sensitivity to light or a blue tint to vision, while tadalafil is more likely to trigger back and muscle pain.
Because Cialis lasts considerably longer, its side effects can linger longer – a headache attributable to Viagra may ease during the night, while a tadalafil-induced backache may still be present the following morning.
Adjusting the dose is sometimes necessary – taking more than the recommended amount will rarely help.
Sudden loss of vision or hearing requires immediate medical attention, as does an erection that lasts for four hours or more and should not be ignored in favor of “watching it happen”.
Nitrates rule both out
Viagra and Cialis should never be taken with nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide – or with recreational poppers containing nitrites. This combination can cause a potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.
Avoid nitrates for 24 hours after taking Viagra and 48 hours after taking Cialis – if you begin to suffer from chest pains during sex, contact emergency services and advise them of the ED medication you have taken – do not use nitroglycerin, unless advised to do so by a medical professional.
Riociguat is also contraindicated with both drugs, while alpha-blockers, blood-pressure, and some antibiotics, antifungals or HIV treatments may also impact the dosage.
Taking Cialis and Viagra together is not the answer. It increases both the medication burden and side-effects, without guaranteeing a better erection.
Which is best?
Viagra makes sense when sex is usually planned, a shorter treatment window is preferred and timing the tablet away from a heavy meal is not a problem.
Cialis is easier when spontaneity matters, sex may happen on more than one occasion during a weekend or daily use feels more natural.
Price can also play a role – generic sildenafil and generic tadalafil (the generic equivalent) are often significantly cheaper than the original brands.
There is no virtue in choosing the more famous tablet – the better medicine is the one that delivers a reliable erection, causes tolerable side effects and fits into the way sex actually happens in your life.
