Viagra or Cialis Which one is better? Are they the same?
ED has many causes, including vascular, hormonal, and neurologic. Risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, low testosterone, and depression contribute.
For the men behind these statistics, the impacts go beyond erectile dysfunction itself. They may experience feelings of self-blame, unattractiveness, hurt, and anger. The physical issue can become a psychological issue, worsening the situation.
Some ED can be cured, thanks to reversible causes like side effects from medication, use of drugs and nicotine, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or obesity. Hormone imbalances can also be treated to assist in managing erectile dysfunction. Other instances of erectile dysfunction are treatable with medication.
Viagra and Cialis are both common oral medications used to treat erectile dysfunction. They are otherwise known by their generic names, sildenafil, and tadalafil, respectively. Each medication works similarly, but when it comes to Viagra vs. Cialis we see key differences that may impact medicine choice.
As with any medication, understanding the options, including differences and similarities, helps patients make informed decisions. We have all the details between Viagra vs. Cialis, helping those with ED determine which they might want to use.
The History of Viagra and Cialis
To choose between Viagra vs. Cialis, knowing the history of the drugs may help. Viagra is a household term these days since the FDA approved the little blue pill in 1998.
Pfizer initially developed sildenafil to treat high blood pressure and chest pain due to heart disease. While testing the drug during heart clinical trials, researchers discovered its power to treat ED.
Once approved, Viagra took the world by storm, with the fastest initial sales growth of any prescription product. Its ubiquitousness has reduced the stigma of ED, helping many men seek medical advice and a prescription for ED medication knowing that Viagra is so popular.
Cialis, or tadalafil, was approved for medical use in 2003, developed by ICOS, then Lilly ICOS. When Viagra’s effectiveness in treating ED was discovered, the scientists behind Cialis saw the potential for it to do the same. The FDA approved it as a once-daily medication for ED treatment in 2008. Later on, in 2011, the FDA further approved it to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia or a non-cancerous enlarged prostate.
Viagra vs. Cialis: The Similarities
Viagra, Cialis, and some other ED medications are all part of the PDE5 inhibitor category. Each one of these medications blocks the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme. By blocking phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, these medications cause blood vessels to relax, increasing blood flow. Too much phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme can cause soft erections or difficulty getting an erection. So, medications that inhibit the enzyme ensure that PDE5 cannot bring an erection to an early end.
These medications also increase the levels of nitric oxide in the body, allowing muscles in the penis to relax and encouraging blood flow. This helps achieve and maintain an erection. At the same time, PDE5 inhibitors enhance the effect of nitric oxide.
Both medications are typically taken on an as-needed basis, though men can take Cialis daily versus using as needed. Both medications work well for their purpose.
Side Effects of Viagra Vs. Cialis
Common side effects of Cialis are facial flushing, headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, and nausea. Viagra’s side effects are similar, with common effects being facial flushing, headaches, stomach pain, nasal congestion, nausea, dizziness, a rash, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and interestingly, an inability to differentiate between green and blue. Changes in color vision are a more rare side effect for Cialis, while there is a higher risk of muscle pain with Cialis vs. Viagra.
Both medications come with the risk of priapism or an erection that lasts more than four hours that can cause damage. Too much PDE5 can create this issue. Both can also lower blood pressure, which can cause issues if one is taking blood pressure medications, particularly nitrate medications.
Deciding Differences Between Viagra vs. Cialis
Many people choose to use Cialis because it fits into their lifestyles better. Various studies show Cialis as a favorite in user satisfaction, likely owing to its prolonged duration.
It works faster than Viagra, generally, and can be taken with food. And, Cialis lasts longer, usually around 36 hours. Viagra offers less spontaneity, as doses should be taken about an hour before sexual activity. It can also only be used once a day, and should not be taken with fatty foods or alcohol, both of which can make it ineffective.
That being said, even as a generic, Viagra costs less than Cialis. Viagra is typically the least expensive ED drug and has been on the market longest, which means it has the longest safety record. For those who experience unpleasant side effects from ED medications, it may be better to take Viagra, as its shorter duration time means a shorter duration for side effects too.
The choice between Viagra vs. Cialis often comes down to lifestyle requirements and costs. Also, if one medication causes intolerable side effects, or does not work as expected, the other is available to try.
Avoiding Counterfeit ED Medications
While deciding between ED medications, the cost is often an issue, and that can lead people to seek out cheaper choices. It’s important to understand that wherever one lands on the Viagra vs. Cialis debate, avoiding counterfeit ED medications is vital for health and safety.
Viagra is one of the most counterfeited medications in the world, which is dangerous for people seeking medications without a prescription. Counterfeit medications can contain different amounts of active ingredients, different active ingredients, or no active ingredient at all. They can also contain hazardous substances like paint or printer ink.
A study from Pfizer uncovered blue printer ink and several other hazardous substances in counterfeit Viagra, including amphetamines, a powerful antibiotic, widely varying levels of the active ingredient, and binding agents like drywall. In other medications, they found boric acid, floor wax, brick dust, rat poison, and road paint.
To avoid ingesting substances like this, drugs should have information about usage, manufacturing details, batch and date of manufacture, and expiry date. Make sure any medications you purchase have all of these details in place.
Buying Safely and Budget-Friendly
Whichever medication one decides to use to treat ED, we offer the best prices without compromising on safety. GPP’s fair pricing for top quality products ensures everyone has their needed medications without a hefty hit to the wallet. You can count on us to provide the medications you need, without risk. Contact us for more information.
