What's right for me, Sildenafil or Tadalafil?

If you’re considering medication to improve your erections and sexual experiences, you've probably heard about the two most popular active ingredients: Sildenafil and Tadalafil. Popularized by Viagra and Cialis, they have been researched for decades. These ingredients have some small differences and a lot in common, including a success rate of more than 80 percent. Below you will find a high-level overview of their benefits, differences, risks, and important safety information to help you make an informed decision.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the active ingredient popularized by the brand Viagra and is designed to last 4-6 hours.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis and designed to last 24-36 hours.

Important Safety Information

Do not take Sildenafil (sildenafil citrate) or Tadalafil if you take medication containing nitrates or guanylate cyclase stimulators for pulmonary hypertension, as this could cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Also, do not take them if you are allergic to Sildenafil, Tadalafil or any ingredients in either medication. Discuss your health with your doctor to ensure that you are healthy enough for sex. If you experience chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, seek immediate medical help. Sildenafil and Tadalafil can cause serious side effects.

When your evening plans with your special someone include dining, it’s important to remember that food can impact how effectively your body absorbs medication. If Sildenafil is taken after a meal, particularly those which are one that is rich in fats, then it may take longer for the medicine to work.

Tadalafil may be taken without regard to food intake. However, we do not recommend eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil, as grapefruit can affect the way the body metabolizes the medication.

If you’ll be spending more than an evening with your partner and don't know when the timing is going to be right, you may prefer a drug that has a longer window of opportunity. Tadalafil remains in the body longer, as long as 36 hours in most cases, so there’s no need to rush your time together. This is a big plus, because anxiety and nervousness also can cause Erectile Dysfunction (E.D.) even when the blood flow is working just fine.

Sildenafil, however, has a short four to six-hour active time frame, which means you’ll need to plan your time carefully to avoid it wearing off before you need it. Traditionally men have also reported Tadalafil working faster than Sildenafil.

For men that want to be able to have sex at any time, Tadalafil might be the better choice. Since it stays in your system for 24-36 hours, it gives you more opportunities for spontaneous intercourse whenever you and your partner are in the mood.

Sildenafil, on the other hand, is prescribed for use as needed. It generally takes about an hour before becoming effective, so a little extra patience (and planning) must be taken into consideration.

Since both medications' molecules are off-patent, the cost has been reduced considerably from their entry into the market. This is very good news because it shouldn't cost a fortune to be intimate with your partner. Your particular prescription will be based on the strength of the drug, so obviously, the higher the dosage, the higher the price will be for you.