Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil: A Comparative Overview

If you are struggling with Erectile Dysfunction (ED), you must have heard about Sildenafil or Viagra as the most accepted erection-improving pill to treat ED. The medicine is FDA-approved and has been used for many years, treating millions of men worldwide.

However, one more ED medicine, Tadalafil, is known for its longer duration and role in treating men’s other problems, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The FDA has also approved it, and it is one of the most accepted alternatives to Sildenafil.

Then how can you distinguish between Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil, and which is the best option for your ED treatment? While these medicines belong to the same medicine class, their onset and duration of action, doses, and safety concerns differ. 

This article discusses Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil based on efficacy and safety. It also explains how you can choose the best pill to overcome erection difficulty faster.

What is Sildenafil (Viagra)?

Sildenafil (the blue pill), or Sildenafil Citrate, approved in 1998, was the first medicine for Erectile Dysfunction. ED is an inability to achieve and maintain a satisfactory erection in men. It also treats people with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) or lung high blood pressure.

It is the active ingredient in Viagra. Sildenafil is an ‘as-needed’ medication best known for its rapid onset of action. It is taken 30-60 minutes before the intended sex, lasting up to 4 hours. Generally, Viagra is available in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. 

What is Tadalafil (Cialis)?

Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, was introduced in 2003 as a potent Viagra alternative. Like Viagra, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Cialis, had a patent on Cialis that expired in 2017. Since then, many companies have manufactured and sold Tadalafil at cheaper prices.

Unlike Viagra, which is an ‘as-needed’ medication, Tadalafil is available in two different formulations. One can be taken when required before sexual intercourse, and the other is prescribed for daily use. 

While ‘as-needed’ Tadalafil is used to get robust erections, the daily pills are often prescribed to people with BPH or enlarged prostate in men. Furthermore, Tadalafil can also treat PAH.

How do Sildenafil and Tadalafil work?

Sildenafil and Tadalafil are PDE5 Inhibitors that give you the desired erections during sexual intercourse. They work in the following ways for the treatment of different health conditions:

• Erectile Dysfunction: Sildenafil and Tadalafil relax smooth muscle in your penis. Thus, they increase blood flow to the penis and help you achieve erection in the presence of sexual stimulation

• Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: They also cause smooth muscle relaxation in your lungs and lower blood pressure, lightening the stress on your heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Thus, they can reduce heart pain (Angina) like symptoms in people

• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Tadalafil also treats BPH. It increases blood flow and reduces the symptoms of BPH, such as urination problems and painful symptoms

Key differences between Sildenafil and Tadalafil

After learning about Sildenafil and Tadalafil and how they work to treat erection difficulty, high blood pressure in the lungs, and enlarged prostate, let’s learn the differences between them.

Let’s learn how Tadalafil vs. Sildenafil are different in the following ways:

1. Approved uses

One of the common distinctions in Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil is their approved uses, such as:

• Sildenafil: Sildenafil and Tadalafil are approved for Erectile Dysfunction treatment and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

• Tadalafil: In addition to its effective role in treating ED in men and PAH in both men and women, Tadalafil is also FDA-approved for BPH treatment in men

2. Onset of action and duration

The significant difference in Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil is their onset and duration of action:

• Sildenafil: Sildenafil starts working within 30 minutes to an hour. However, it has also shown improved erection within 12 minutes after taking the prescribed dose. Furthermore, Sildenafil lasts for up to 4 hours and gives you an enhanced sexual experience by opening the opportunity to attempt multiple sexual intercourses within the duration

• Tadalafil: Tadalafil starts working within 30 minutes but may take up to an hour for the onset of action in some men. However, unlike Sildenafil, it stays effective for up to 36 hours after consuming the prescribed dose

3. Dosage and administration

Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil are available in different doses, such as:

• Sildenafil: The commonly prescribed doses of Sildenafil (Viagra) are 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Moreover, the generic Viagra is available in a wide range of doses, such as Cenforce 25 mg, Cenforce 50 mg, Cenforce 100 mg, Cenforce 120 mg, Cenforce 150 mg, and Cenforce 200 mg

• Tadalafil: Conversely, Tadalafil is available in four doses: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. The usual dose for ED is 10 mg when needed, 2.5 mg or 5 mg for BPH, and 40 mg (2 pills of 20 mg) for PAH treatment. Moreover, generic Tadalafil is available in various doses, such as Tadarise 5 mg, Vidalista 20 mg, Super Vidalista, and Tadalista 60 mg

It is also essential to take the prescribed dose of the medicine, Sildenafil or Tadalafil, properly for effective results. You should follow the given instructions:

• Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water

• Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet

• You can take this tablet with or without food. However, avoid taking Sildenafil with a heavy-fatty meal

• Do not take it more than once in 24 hours for ED

• Do not skip, exceed, or stop this medicine without consulting your doctor

Here is the overview table depicting the key differences between Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil:

Aspects	Sildenafil (Viagra)	Tadalafil (Cialis)
Approved uses	Erectile Dysfunction and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension	Erectile Dysfunction, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Onset of action	Within 30-60 minutes	30-60 minutes
Duration	4-5 hours	36 hours
Available dosage	25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg	2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg

Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil: Side effects comparison

The table below distinguishes between the severity of common side effects in Sildenafil and Tadalafil:

Side effects	Sildenafil	Tadalafil
Headaches	Common	Common
Nasal congestion	Common	Common
Flushing	Common	Less common
Vision changes	Possible (blue vision)	Rare
Indigestion	Possible	Possible
Muscle/back pain	Rare	Common

While these side effects are often temporary and well-tolerated, you should consult your doctor and seek treatment if they persist for longer. Your doctor may change the dose or prescribe an alternative for better tolerance and safety.

Interactions

Sildenafil and Tadalafil may interact with some medications, diseases, and dietary choices. It is advised to inform your doctor if you have any of the following diseases or take medications, supplements, or dietary specifications:

Sildenafil interactions

Sildenafil may interact with Nitrates and lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure. The blue pill is also likely to interact with Alpha Blockers, antidepressants, CYP3A4 inhibitors, and inducers, such as Clarithromycin and Ketoconazole.

Sildenafil may also interact with Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators (GCS), such as Riociguat, and other PDE5 Inhibitors, such as Tadalafil, Avanafil, and Vardenafil. In addition, Sildenafil may interact with alcohol and grapefruit and its juices and may cause severe side effects.

Tadalafil interactions

Like Sildenafil, Tadalafil interacts with Nitrates, Alpha Blockers, antidepressants, CYP3A4 inhibitors, inducers, and GCS. It is also recommended to avoid taking these medications or other PDE5 Inhibitors within 24 hours after taking Tadalafil.

Similarly, it is advised to avoid taking grapefruit and its juices, supplements, and excessive alcohol while taking Tadalafil. These products can interact with your medicine and lead to severe side effects.

Furthermore, always inform your doctor about your previous or ongoing health diseases before taking Tadalafil. Consult your doctor if you have heart, kidney, liver, or eye diseases.

Precautions and contraindications

For the safe use of medicine, follow the given precautions while taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil:

Sildenafil precautions:

Exercise the following precautions with Sildenafil:

• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Sildenafil or its other ingredients

• The medicine is designed for men, and women should not take it unless prescribed by a doctor

• Combining Nitrates and blood pressure-lowering medications with this medicine may cause a sudden blood pressure drop. Seek immediate medical treatment to avoid severe consequences

• Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Do not take Sildenafil with other PDE5 Inhibitors

Tadalafil precautions

Following cautions are necessary to ensure the safe use of Tadalafil:

• Avoid Tadalafil if you are allergic to it. Furthermore, Do not take Tadalafil if you have kidney, heart, and liver diseases

• If you experience sudden dizziness, vision changes, or painful erection, seek immediate medical help

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Tadalafil, as there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the medicine is safe during pregnancy

• Limit alcohol intake with Tadalafil to reduce interaction risks. Do not combine it with other PDE5 Inhibitors

• It is not a contraceptive and does not protect you against STDs or pregnancy

Can they reverse ED?

After learning about the common differences between Sildenafil and Tadalafil, you may wonder whether these medicines can cure or reverse ED. Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Despite their fast action, prolonged duration, and different strengths, Sildenafil, Tadalafil, or other PDE5 Inhibitors cannot cure ED. They can temporarily reduce erection problems and boost your self-confidence. However, they can treat but cannot cure the underlying cause of ED.

Therefore, you should consult your doctor and find solutions to treat the underlying causes of ED permanently.

Which is better, Sildenafil or Tadalafil?

Since you have understood the differences between the two most widely used ED pills, it is crucial to decide which pill is suitable for you:

Choose Sildenafil if

You should choose Sildenafil if you can afford it since it is quite expensive compared to Tadalafil. Furthermore, if you have no problem with waiting up to an hour for firm erections and are satisfied with the duration of the blue pill, Sildenafil is the right option for you.

Choose Tadalafil if

If you desire to have rapid erections within 30 minutes and want a prolonged duration of action lasting up to 36 hours, choose Tadalafil. Furthermore, it is cheaper than Sildenafil and is available in low strengths with fewer side effects. You can also consult your doctor to help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

Sildenafil and Tadalafil are the two best-known medications for treating ED in men. However, these medications have certain dissimilarities. 

To find which is best for you, Sildenafil vs. Tadalafil, choose the pill depending on the severity of your condition, doses, and duration of the medicine. While they may start working within 30-60 minutes, Sildenafil lasts 4 hours. On the other hand, Tadalafil remains effective for up to 36 hours.

You can also consult your doctor about the best ED medicine and make an informed decision for a faster recovery.