Cialis vs Viagra: Which Works Best?

Erectile dysfunction is a very common condition in men, with 45.2% of men self-reporting (across 8 countries) that they had the condition. ED has a wide range of causes, such as lifestyle, hormone problems, diabetes or other conditions. While erectile dysfunction is not curable, there are many effective treatments available that help improve ED.

Cialis and Viagra are two of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction. They are prescription medications that are generally prescribed to males suffering from impotence. Both these medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis.

If you are looking for an effective ED treatment or would like to know more about Cialis vs Viagra, read this useful guide where we look at key differences between these prescription medicines.

Cialis Overview

Cialis is a prescription medicine primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s also used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It contains the active substance tadalafil and is available in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg oral tablets. Cialis is often described as a “weekend pill” due to its long-lasting effects.

You can also get Cialis in an OTC version called Cialis Together.

Viagra Overview

Viagra is a popular prescription medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It contains the active substance sildenafil and is available in 25mg to 100mg oral tablets. It is often used by men over the age of 18 and older who suffer from impotence.

Viagra is also available in an over the counter version called Viagra Connect.

Comparing Cialis vs Viagra

Is there a difference between Viagra and Cialis?

Both Cialis and Viagra are typically as effective as each other, but they do have some key differences:#

How do Cialis and Viagra work?

The active ingredient in Cialis is tadalafil and the active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil.

Both these prescription medications are in a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Under normal conditions, sexual stimulation results in the production and release of nitric oxide (NO) in the penis. The NO then activates an enzyme (guanylate cyclase), which results in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) being produced.

cGMP is mostly responsible for creating an erection as it affects the amount of blood that the blood vessels in the penis that is removed or delivered. PDE5 stops the destruction of cGMP, promoting blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection that can persist throughout sexual intercourse.

How Long Do They Take to Work?

Cialis generally takes 30 to 60 minutes to begin working for ED. The prescribed dose can be taken at least 30 minutes before sexual intercourse. Taking Cialis alone will not cause an erection. For this medication to work as intended, you need to be sexually aroused.

Viagra also generally takes 30 to 60 minutes to begin working for ED. The prescribed dose of Viagra can be taken up to 4 hours before sexual intercourse. Taking Viagra alone will not result in an erection. For this medication to work as intended, you need to be sexually excited.

Dosage and Usage Recommendations

Cialis

Cialis tablets for ED come in different strengths, such as 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg. The general dose for ED is 10mg and it is taken when needed. It is important not to take more than one tablet of Cialis a day. Your GP or pharmacist may increase or decrease your dose, depending on how often you take it and its effectiveness.

The effects of Cialis may last longer than 24 hours. Therefore, it is not recommended to take the 20mg or 10mg tablets every day.

Cialis tablets are swallowed whole with some water or juice but should not be taken with anything that has grapefruit juice in it. Cialis can be taken at least 30 minutes before engaging in sex.

Viagra

Viagra tablets for erectile dysfunction come in different strengths ranging from 25mg to 100mg.
The general dose for Viagra is 50mg taken when you need it. It is important not to take Viagra more than once a day.

Your pharmacist or GP will determine which dose will be most effective and may increase to 100mg or decrease to 25mg depending on its effect. Viagra can be taken up to 4 hours before engaging in sex.

Viagra comes as a tablet and should be swallowed whole with water or juice. The juice mustn't contain grapefruit. It is also best to take Viagra on an empty stomach as if you’ve had food it will take longer before it begins to work.

Are there any known side effects?

Not everyone who takes these medications will experience side effects. If you do experience persistent side effects, talk to your pharmacist or GP to discuss if there is another ED treatment that’s more suitable.

Cialis

The most common side effects of Cialis include:

• Headache
• Indigestion
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Flu-like symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose

Serious side effects of Cialis may include:

• Prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours)
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing or vision

Viagra

The most common side effects of Viagra include:

• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Facial flushing
• Burred vision
• Dizziness or stuffy nose

Serious side effects of Viagra may include:

• Prolonged erection that will not go away (lasting more than 4 hours)
• Sudden loss of vision or hearing

If you experience any severe side effects or have an allergic reaction to either medication, contact your GP immediately or seek emergency medical care.

Interactions with other medications

Cialis

Cialis should not be taken with any of the following medications:

• Some HIV treatments
• Nitrates, such as medicine prescribed for angina
• Epilepsy medicine
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) medicine such as riociguat
• Amyl nitrate, a recreational drug commonly called “poppers”
• Antibiotics
• Alpha-blockers
• Other erectile dysfunction medicines, such as avanafil or sildenafil

Viagra

Viagra should not be taken with any of the following medications:

• Nitrates, such as those prescribed for angina
• Amy nitrate, a recreational drug commonly referred to as “poppers”
• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) medicine such as riociguat
• Other erectile dysfunction medicines, such as tadalafil or avanafil

Be sure to tell your GP or pharmacist if you take any of the medications mentioned above and they can recommend the best way to proceed and whether Cialis or Viagra is safer. It is also important to tell your pharmacist or GP about any supplements or herbal remedies that you may be taking.

If you are unsure about whether Cialis or Viagra is safer in interacting with a medication not mentioned, speak to your GP or pharmacist first before taking it.

Cost

Cloud Pharmacy stocks both Cialis and Viagra. Either can be prescribed after a quick online consultation with one of our registered pharmacists.

Cialis Costs

Viagra Costs

Viagra vs Cialis: Which is More Effective?

In 1998, Viagra became the first PDE5 inhibitor and oral pill to be approved for ED treatment. Meanwhile, Cialis was only approved for treatment in 2003. As such, there is more available research and information on Viagra compared to Cialis.

If you’re wondering whether Cialis is more powerful than Viagra, the research shows the effectiveness of all PDE5 inhibitors is similar, although the reported effectiveness of Cialis is 81% and Viagra is 84%. Viagra was reported to have the highest rate of side effects occurring. Whereas Cialis had a lower rate of overall side effects occurring.

Both these medications take roughly 30 to 60 minutes to begin working, with the highest concentration of the active ingredient tadalafil (Cialis) in the blood occurring after two hours. The active ingredient sildenafil (Viagra) reaches its peak concentration in the blood after one hour. The time it takes for both these medications to function varies between individuals.

According to reviews, more men seem to prefer Cialis due to its longer duration effect (up to 36 hours) compared to Viagra (up to 4 hours).

Cialis vs Viagra Customer Reviews

One of the best ways to understand the pros and cons of any medication is to look at verified online reviews. While reviews may not be 100% factual as they are someone else's opinion and experience, they provide a general overview.

Among the Cialis vs Viagra reviews, you may find some helpful tips and tricks about side effects or the best time to take ED medication. If you have any questions or are concerned about any side effects, talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Cialis Customer Reviews

Using Trustpilot, Cialis user reviews are positive. A few takeaways from customer reviews of Cialis include:

• It is expensive, but can be more cost-effective than branded Viagra
• It is great when needed for long weekends
• It needs to be taken at least 30 minutes before sex

Viagra Customer Reviews

Using Trustpilot, Viagra reviews are positive, with key takeaways including:

• It is very effective
• It works in 30 minutes
• There are few noticeable side effects, such as headaches and nausea
• Viagra doesn’t last as long as Cialis

What Alternatives to Cialis and Viagra Are There?

Erectile dysfunction treatment gels and creams

Eroxon® Stimgel is the first topical treatment in gel form for ED. It is an effective, easy-to-use and fast treatment that does not require a prescription.

Generics

There are cheaper generic medications for both Cialis and Viagra.

The generic of Cialis is called Tadalafil and was first made available in 2017. Tadalafil provides the same benefits as Cialis, with the key difference being that it is much cheaper, making it more accessible. 

The generic version of Viagra is called Sildenafil. The key difference between these medications is the price, with Sildenafil being much cheaper.

Where Can You Purchase Cialis or Viagra in the UK?

Both Cialis and Viagra are effective treatments for ED. The key differences between Cialis and Viagra are strength per dosage, how long the effects last, severe side effects, and interactions with other medications. By talking to your GP or pharmacist, they can help determine which prescription ED treatment is going to be the better option.

Before you look into where to buy Cialis or Viagra in the UK, be aware that both medications and their generics require a prescription before they can be purchased.

Fortunately, Cloud Pharmacy offers a simple and quick online consultation with a registered pharmacist. Once your ED treatment has been ordered, it is quickly delivered to your door in discreet packaging.

FAQs

What is the Best Pill to Stay Hard for Longer?

No pill is able to make your erection stay longer. These medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction by promoting blood flow to the penis, helping you achieve an erection. ED medications do not instantly result in an erection; sexual excitement is needed for these drugs to work.

Will Cialis Work as Effectively as Viagra?

Both Cialis and Viagra are PDE5 inhibitors that have similar effectiveness. The main difference is that Cialis lasts longer (up to 36 hours) compared to Viagra (up to 4 hours). It is important to remember that for either of these treatments to work and cause an erection, there needs to be sexual arousal.

Does Cialis Make you Last Longer?

Cialis does not make you last longer, nor does it affect your ability to ejaculate. Rather, the drug is effective for longer (up to 36 hours). For this drug to work, there does need to be sexual stimulation.