Viagra and Cialis
An evidence-based comparison
Introduction and background
The following article compares two of the most frequently used and well known synthetic clinical and pharmaceutical drugs that are prescribed and used to treat erectile dysfunction in men i.e. Viagra and Cialis.
What are Viagra and Cialis?
Viagra: Viagra is a pioneer male enhancement medicine and one of the best known and universally acknowledged clinical drugs that are best known to treat erectile dysfunction in men. It cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. Initially introduced by Pfizer and commonly known as the “blue pill”, the generic name of Viagra is Sildenafil Citrate. With time, many other brands and generics have come into the market for the same drug. It comes in a tablet / pill form for oral injections.
Cialis: Cialis is also a pharmaceutical / clinical drug that can only be used with a doctor’s prescription and is mostly recommended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. Its generic name is Tadalafil and its brand “Cialis” was first launched by Lilly ICOS. Also known as the “weekender”, it comes in a tablet / pill form for oral injections.
Credibility and authenticity
Viagra: Viagra has been approved by FDA and WHO for its use in men.
Cialis: Cialis has been approved by FDA and WHO for its use in men for the treatment of impotency (ED).
Efficacy (clinical effectiveness)
Viagra: In various clinical studies and trials, about 82% men were found to be satisfied with the clinical results of Viagra for producing and maintaining penile erections.
Cialis: In various clinical studies and trials, about 93% men were found to be satisfied with the clinical results of Cialis for producing and maintaining penile erections.
Mode of action
Viagra: Viagra works best when taken on an empty stomach (without food). By nature, it is a PDE5 (Phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitor or blocker. PDE5 is an enzyme that blocks the synthesis of a natural substance known as Cyclic GMP (cGMP). It is this cGMP that causes smooth muscle relaxation (our blood vessels are made up of this smooth muscle) of the blood vessels of the penis.
As a result of this expansion (clinically known as vasodilation), more blood goes into the penis and, hence, into the corpus cavernosum, the main penile muscle responsible for producing and maintaining erections.
Cialis: Cialis also acts to its fullest when taken on an empty stomach (without food). Like Viagra, it is also a PDE5 (Phosphodiesterase 5) inhibitor or blocker and works by producing vasodilation of the penile blood vessels which results in longer and faster erections.
Onset of action
Viagra: A person has to wait for up to 1 hour after taking Viagra to see its onset of action.
Cialis: According to studies, its initial effects can be experienced within first 30 or 60 minutes after its oral administration.
Duration of action
Viagra: Its effects could last for up to 4 hours.
Cialis: Cialis is also known as the weekend pill, for its effects could last for up to 36 hours.
Price and economy
Viagra: Viagra seems to be on a cheaper side when it comes to the retail price of both medicines.
Cialis: While Cialis is relatively more expensive, it is more economical in the long run as a man has to consume fewer pills because of its longer duration of action.
Side effects and safety profile
Viagra: A lot of side effects have been observed after the use of Viagra such as flushing of the face, flu like symptoms, low blood pressure, palpitations, nasal congestion, dizziness, headache, and hazed vision while directly looking into light.
Cialis: Some of the common side effects of Cialis include indigestion, headaches, flushing, back pain, muscle aches etc.
Conclusion
All in all, it is very much clear from the above comparative analysis that both Viagra and Cialis belong to the same class of synthetic drugs and work more or less for the same indication i.e. to produce temporary, short-term penile erections in men. Being clinical allopathic drugs, both drugs can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription and there is a risk of several side effects with the use of both drugs.
Cialis however has a quicker onset of action and its effects last significantly longer than those of Viagra. Viagra, on the other hand, is relatively cheaper is more frequently used medication by men.
Considering all the facts and evidences, our sincere advice is that, until and unless one of these drugs has been “prescribed” to you, you should opt for a safe and natural herbal alternative. Fortunately, there are quite a few good all-natural and recommended herbal alternatives to these drugs that are not only free from side effects but can be obtained without prescription and at a much cheaper price. Click here to see our top choices.
Last but not least, unlike Cialis and Viagra, some of these recommended herbal male enhancement pills can be used to address a variety of other male sexual issues such as premature ejaculation, loss of libido and reduced sperm count and semen amount.
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