Cialis vs. Viagra: Which one works better? Do they have side effects? What are the important differences you should think about when choosing between them? Dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED) can be tough, and knowing your treatment choices is important. This article will help you by comparing Cialis and Viagra, two of the most well-known medicines for ED.
To show the differences between Cialis and Viagra, we will look at several things, like how they work, common side effects, and how long they last. We will also discuss which might be better for you in different situations. After reading this article, you should know more about these medicines and how they can help you or someone you care about who is living with ED.
Viagra
Viagra, a famous medicine for erectile dysfunction (ED), has a really interesting history that starts back in the 1980s and 90s. Interestingly, this medicine, now globally known for treating ED, was originally made for a different health problem – angina.
From Heart Pain to ED
Angina is a kind of chest pain that happens when your heart isn’t getting enough blood, and it’s often linked to heart disease. In the 1980s and 90s, scientists tried to make a medicine to help with this. The medicine they were working on was sildenafil, which we now call Viagra.
The plan was for sildenafil to help by making the blood vessels that take blood to and away from the heart wider, easing the strain on the heart and helping with the symptoms of angina. But, when they first tested the drug, it didn’t do what they wanted it to.
Instead, they saw an unexpected side effect. The men taking part in the study said that their erections improved. So, even though it wasn’t helping with angina, the scientists saw that sildenafil was good at treating erectile dysfunction.
After doing more tests and studies, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 1998 to treat erectile dysfunction, and they called it Viagra.
Viagra Now
Since it first came out in the late ‘90s, Viagra has become one of the world’s most well-known prescription drugs. It’s helped millions of men all over the globe to get their sexual function and confidence back, which has improved their lives.
Even though it was made for one thing and ended up helping another, Viagra has made a huge difference to people’s and men’s health. It’s a great example of how a surprise discovery can become an important medicine.
Cialis
Cialis, also called tadalafil, is a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), a problem some men face when they can’t get or keep an erection. People often call it the “weekend pill” because it can work up to 36 hours after taking it. That’s much longer than other ED medicines.
Easy Explanation: How Cialis vs. Viagra Work
Cialis and Viagra treat erectile dysfunction (ED), a problem where men have trouble getting or keeping an erection for sex. They do the same job, but there are some small differences in how they work, how you take them, and how long they help.
How They Work
Cialis and Viagra are in a group of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. They help by making the blood vessels wider, so more blood can flow through them. In men with ED, this extra blood flowing to the penis helps them get and keep an erection when they’re sexually excited.
Remember: Cialis and Viagra don’t make erections happen by themselves; something sexy needs to get you started.
Differences in How They Work
The main differences between Cialis and Viagra are how long they help and when you need to take them.
Viagra:
Viagra, also known as sildenafil, starts working about 30 to 60 minutes after you swallow it, and it helps for about 4 to 5 hours. Usually, you take it only when needed, about an hour before you want to have sex.
Cialis:
Cialis, also known as Tadalafil, is known for helping a lot longer – up to 36 hours. It starts working anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours after taking it. Because it helps for so long, it’s often called the “weekend pill.” You can take Cialis every day at lower doses or only when needed, about one to two hours before you want to have sex.
To sum up, Cialis and Viagra help men with ED by increasing blood flow to the penis when they’re sexually excited. But, Cialis gives a longer opportunity for sex compared to Viagra. As always, you should follow your doctor’s advice on how and when to take these medicines.
How Food Affects Cialis vs. Viagra
Cialis and Viagra, which help treat the problem of getting or keeping an erection, react to food in different ways. Here’s how food can change how well these drugs work:
Viagra and Food
Food, especially if you’ve eaten a lot or had fatty food, can affect Viagra. If you eat a big, fatty meal before you take Viagra, your body might take in the drug slower. This can mean the drug takes longer to start working. If you want to eat before taking Viagra, it’s better to have a light, low-fat meal.
Cialis and Food
On the other hand, food doesn’t really change how Cialis works. Whether you’ve eaten or not doesn’t matter – Cialis will work just as well. This makes Cialis a handy choice for many men, which is why some people call it the “weekend pill”.
In short, while eating could slow down how quickly Viagra works, Cialis isn’t really affected by food. It’s always important to read the instructions that come with the medicine and ask your pharmacist or doctor if you’re unsure about anything.
Side Effects: Cialis vs. Viagra
Cialis and Viagra, commonly used to treat erection problems, can cause side effects. Not everyone gets serious side effects, but knowing what might happen is good. Here’s a quick look at the typical side effects of each drug:
Common Side Effects of Cialis
Cialis side effects can include:
- Headache
- Upset stomach or heartburn
- Backache
- Aching muscles
- Red, warm skin
- Stuffy or running nose
More serious but rarely happening side effects can be an erection that doesn’t go away, suddenly losing sight in one or both eyes, having less hearing, or going deaf suddenly.
Common Side Effects of Viagra
Side effects from Viagra are a lot like those from Cialis and can include:
- Headache
- Upset stomach or heartburn
- Sore muscles
- Feeling sick
- Feeling dizzy
- Red, warm skin
- Seeing normally (blurred vision or colors look different)
- Stuffy or running nose
- Trouble sleeping
Like with Cialis, less common but more serious side effects can be an erection that lasts too long, sudden sight loss in one or both eyes or suddenly having less hearing or going deaf.
These aren’t all the possible side effects. If you have any other side effects or are worried, always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. You can also report side effects to the FDA.
Cialis vs. Viagra: How They Mix with Other Things
Both Cialis and Viagra, medicines to help with erection problems, can react with other medicines and substances. Knowing about these reactions is important because they could change how well the drugs work or even create dangers.
Mixing with Other Medicines
Some medicines can cause bad effects when mixed with Cialis and Viagra. These include, but aren’t limited to:
Nitrates:
You should not take Cialis or Viagra with any kind of nitrate medicine. This is because your blood pressure could suddenly drop too low.
Alpha-Blockers:
Medicines called alpha-blockers help with high blood pressure or a big prostate. These medicines can interact with Cialis and Viagra, causing blood pressure to drop a lot.
Certain Antifungal and Antibiotic Medicines:
Some antifungal medicines (like ketoconazole) and antibiotic medicines (like erythromycin) can raise Cialis and Viagra levels in your blood. This may increase side effects.
Mixing with Alcohol
Drinking a lot of alcohol while you take Cialis or Viagra might make side effects more likely. These can include headaches, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Also, drinking too much can make it harder to get an erection, which goes against what these medicines are for.
Understanding Cialis vs. Viagra Dosages
Cialis and Viagra are commonly used for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). These medicines work differently, come in various amounts, and have different effects and times of action. We should remember that the right amount of these medicines may change based on a person’s age, weight, health conditions, and past use of these drugs.
Amounts of Cialis
Cialis is available in these amounts:
- 5 mg
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
Usual Starting Amount
For many people, it’s suggested to begin with 10 mg of Cialis and take 30-60 minutes before intimate activity. Depending on how well it works and what side effects you have, the amount can be increased to 20 mg or decreased to 5 mg.
Everyday Use
Cialis can also be used every day, where a smaller amount (2.5 mg or 5 mg) is used daily, no matter when sexual activity will happen.
Amounts of Viagra
Viagra is available in these amounts:
- 25 mg
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
Usual Starting Amount
For many people, it’s suggested, to begin with 50 mg of Viagra, taken 30 minutes to 1 hour before intimate activity. Depending on how well it works and what side effects you have, the amount can be increased to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg.
Viagra is not meant to be used every day, unlike Cialis.
The amount of Cialis and Viagra you take should be based on how well it works and what side effects you have. Always talk to a healthcare professional before starting these treatments, and follow their advice to get the best and safest results.
Conclusion
To sum it up, both Cialis and Viagra are good for treating problems with erections, but they are not the same. Cialis can work up to 36 hours, giving you more freedom when to have sex. However, even though Viagra works for a shorter time, it starts working very quickly, and it’s still a favorite for many. Both can have side effects, but some are more common with one drug than the other. If you’re worried about cost, know that Viagra usually is more expensive than Cialis. But cheaper generic versions for both – Sildenafil for Viagra and Tadalafil for Cialis – are available. Which one you should use depends on your health situation, and it’s best to get advice from your doctor.
