Cialis vs. Viagra - Which is the better medication for erectile dysfunction? Here, we explore the difference between Cialis and Viagra. How do Viagra and Cialis work? Both medications are FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men, so shouldn't they be the same.
Well, it depends.
Cialis and Viagra - How They Work
You may find it surprising to know that Cialis and Viagra have the same mechanism of action in the human body. This means that they both affect the penis in the exact same way. As a result, both Viagra and Cialis belong to the same category of medications.
The generic version of Viagra is called sildenafil. The generic version of Cialis is tadalafil. Both Viagra and Cialis are phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors). PDE-5 inhibitors are medications that inhibit an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5). The PDE-5 enzyme is responsible for decreasing the levels of nitric oxide in the bloodstream - this is the opposite of what we want for supporting sexual function.
Actually, when there is more nitric oxide in the bloodstream, it becomes easier to get and maintain erections. Nitric oxide is a molecule produced by the body that dilates the blood vessels, including the blood vessels in the penis. When the blood vessels dilate, they allow more blood to enter the penis. So when we use Viagra or Cialis to inhibit the PDE-5 enzyme, there is more nitric oxide in the blood stream. Therefore, the more nitric oxide in the blood, the easier it is to get erections.
Cialis vs. Viagra - How They Differ
The biggest difference between Cialis and Viagra are how they are taken. By how, I don't mean how they enter the body. Both medications are administered orally - which simply means you can take them by mouth as pills. What I mean is the timing of the medications.
Viagra should ideally be taken 30 minutes prior to sex. The short amount of time it takes Viagra to work makes Viagra convenient, in a way. You don't have to take Viagra every day like other medications for it to be effective. You only have to take it in anticipation of sexual intercourse.
Cialis should be taken daily. The reason Cialis should be taken daily is that the medication stays in the blood stream for longer and builds up over time. The idea behind the drug is that once the levels in the bloodstream are ideal, then erections are more likely to happen on-demand.
Which drug should I take? Viagra or Cialis?
The answer to the question of whether to take Cialis or Viagra is one of convenience. Some men prefer to take a daily medication so they can always be ready. In the event that you anticipate sexual encounters to occur daily, Cialis may be more convenient. However, the cost of taking Cialis every day can add up, depending on the frequency of sex.
On the other hand, for men who have sex less frequently, Viagra may be a more convenient and cheaper medication. Some men measure the frequency of sex on a monthly or yearly basis, so purchase one prescription of Viagra may be more cost effective.
In summary, it all comes down to the individual. Men should take the erectile dysfunction drug that is the most appropriate for their own particular situation.
