Viagra Vs Cialis

The advancement of pharmacology and chemistry in recent years has seen the successful treatment of many diseases or conditions which were deemed untreatable in the past.

One of such conditions, erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence has been successfully treated with a group of drugs categorized as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. The most popular drug in this category is Viagra, the trade of Sildenafil citrate, the first ever oral drug for treatment of ED approved in the United States. Initially marketed in 1998, it was the sole medicine for treatment of erectile dysfunction and had averaged annual sales of over $1 billion from 1999-2001. Subsequently, the original Viagra has to contend with competitions not only from generic Viagra drugs but also other drugs like tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).

Viagra is often called the blue pill while Cialis is known as the weekend medication in some parts of the world. Basically there are many differences between Cialis and Viagra but they both fall in the PDE5-inhibitor category. They can only be obtained with prescriptions from qualified professionals. Both Viagra and Cialis are also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Viagra comes in the doses of 25mg, 50mg or 100mg tablets. It has to be taken 1 hour before sex in empty stomach. It will work as soon as 25 minutes to one hour after taking it in response to sexual stimulation. Viagra’s effects may last from 4-6 hours and it cannot be taken more than once a day.

Cialis is sold in 10mg or 20mg tablets. It has to be taken at least 30 minutes before sex. Its effect begins as early as 16 minutes after taking the tablet in response to sexual stimulation. Cialis is sold in smaller doses because its effect could usually last up to 36 hours after the dose. The residue of the drug is removed more slowly from the body than that of Viagra. Cialis cannot be taken more than once a day and preferably not every day.

The side effects of both drugs are also similar. The side effects include headache, muscle aches, stuffy nose, flushing and back pain. It is also suspected that there is risk that people who take these drugs may develop temporary vision loss and acute hearing loss.

Many males with impotence are relieved to have the choice between Cialis and Viagra to treat their conditions. However, since Cialis is launched, men are really spoiled for choice. Some continue to rely on the trusted blue pill while many others are leaning towards Cialis as their first-choice drug against ED. This is mainly because Cialis is slightly cheaper than Viagra, although inexpensive generic version of Viagra is being sold now. Besides, men also find the short time duration needed to induce an erection with use of Cialis and its long duration of effects to be advantageous.

Viagra and Cialis are highly effective treatment for ED in most men. However, their success rate is only about 80% in all clinical subjects who take the drugs. Therefore, one may need to consult his doctor for alternative treatments if he find that the drugs are not effective to treat his conditions.

Comparing Viagra and Cialis

Viagra and Cialis are trade names of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor medicines Sildenafil citrate and Tadalafil respectively. They are widely known to be effective oral drugs for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) or male impotence. However, both of them are also used as treatment for condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Viagra is the first effective oral drug for treatment of ED and has gained an almost cult following from men around the world. In the first 2-3 years of its introduction, its global annual sales come up to about $1 billion. It has remained unchallenged and is seen as the sole solution of ED until the approval and launch of Cialis (Tadalafil).

Viagra works by releasing nitric oxide (NO) in the corpus cavernosum of the penis. The NO gas stimulate the accumulation of more cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) enzyme which leads to smooth muscle relaxation (vasodilation) of the penile arteries causing more inflow of blood and firm erection. At the same time it also inhibits the PDE5 responsible for degradation of cGMP in corpus cavernosum. As a result of decreased degradation of cGMP, longer and better erection can be sustained.

Cialis also works essentially in the same way as Viagra. However, it has a much longer half-life (the time required for the body to decompose and excrete half amount of the drug from the body) of 17.5 hours compared to the half-life of Viagra (4-5 hours). Therefore the duration of action of Cialis is considerably longer than that of Viagra, earning it the nickname of The Weekend Pill as it effects may persist up to 36 hours after the first dose.

Cialis are available in 5mg, 10mg or 20mg tablets while Viagra is sold in bigger doses of 25mg, 50mg or even 100mg tablets. Cialis is sometimes preferred over Viagra because it can induce erection in as short as 16 minutes after taking the tablet (with sexual stimulation) while Viagra requires at least 25 minutes to 1 hour for the same effect. The recommended use for both drugs is no more than once per day but for Cialis, it is highly recommended to not use it every day because the dose from the previous day may not be completely cleared from the body yet prior to another dose the next day and this may be harmful to the body.

One advantage that Viagra holds over Cialis is that in clinical trials, it is shown that Viagra could also improve females’ sexual performance while Cialis could not achieve similar effect. Females’ sexual organs are much more complex than that of male and it is not clear whether the positive effect of Viagra on female’s sexuality is intended or simply a coincidence.

At present, Cialis is indeed throwing a great challenge to Viagra in the race to be the ultimate treatment drug for ED. Cialis’ case is helped by its low price tag, long duration of action and short time needed to achieve an erection. This race and continuous efforts to find better drug to improve men’s sexual health could only benefit the consumers.

Viagra vs Cialis

Both Viagra and Cialis are used widely in treating erectile dysfunction. Before we move into discussing about the difference of each of them, it is important to understand erectile dysfunction and how the drugs work in treating it.

Erectile dysfunction or ED is characterized as a condition where a male could not develop or maintain an erection. Variable causes had been identified and most of them point to one pathological mechanism – the disturbance of penile blood flow. The failure of retaining blood inside the tissue of the male organ leads to a weak erection.

The active ingredient of Viagra is Sildenafil citrate while for Cialis, it is the Tadalafil. Both of them inhibit the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme (PDE5). When this enzyme is successfully inhibited, there will be a significant increase in penile blood flow due to relaxation of arteries and smooth muscle of the male organ, thus resulting in an erection. However, this response is also controlled by the release of NO (nitric oxide), which activate the synthesis of cGMP. Thus, if there is no physical or psychological sexual stimulation, an erection could not be achieved even thou these drugs have been used.

Tadalafil has a longer half-life compared to Sildenafil citrate. Tadalafil’s half-life, which last for almost 17.50 hours makes it a drug with longer duration of action. This is one of the reasons why Cialis had been called ‘the weekend pill’. Cialis starting dose would be 10mg and due to its long half-life, is advised to be taken not more than once daily. The dose could be increased to 20mg depending on its effect and tolerance.

On the other hand, Sildenafil citrate has a shorter half-life compared to Tadalafil. The dosage for ED patients is 25mg to 100mg per day, and is used between 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual intercourse. The recommended starting dosage is 50mg.

The side effects for both of the drugs are pretty similar, the most common ones being headache, indigestion, runny nose and muscle pain. Others rare but serious side effects are stroke, hypertension, heart attack and cardiac arrhythmias. Patients taking this drug should be warned for the potential risk of hearing loss.

Both of the drugs are scientifically proven to be effective in dealing with erectile dysfunction and the main notable differences would be the duration of action of each of the drugs. Well, this decision of choosing a drug that would suit you would be situational. If one is anticipating an intercourse within a known time length, it is better to go for Viagra as the duration of action is short and 4 to 6 hours of half-life time would be enough. If one is anticipating intercourse through out the day without knowing the possible time, Cialis would be a better choice as the longer duration would secure a better performance at anytime within the 17 hours time. For honeymoon or weekend outing, Viagra would prove to be a poor choice because in those situations men want to have a reliable steady performance and it should not be taken more than once per day.

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