Ever stood in line at the pharmacy (or staring at your phone screen) think, wait, is Cialis just a stronger Viagra or something completely different? This is perfectly understandable, and frankly no - Cialis is in no way similar to Viagra, minus different coloured pills. They are produced in different ways, take a slightly different action and realistically, if you value your social calendar, you'll be able to tell which of these pills is more likely to have a positive impact on your life.

Okay, now to the main question, which is likely on the forefront of your mind - Cialis vs. Viagra? Same goal, very different approach. While one pill goes about the business quickly and consistently, the other will likely hang around for the ride.

Find the differences between these two so you can stop picking the next pill off the shelf with your eyes closed.

What Are Cialis and Viagra?

The two main treatments for Erectile dysfunction (ED) are brand-name Cialis, the trade name for tadalafil, and Viagra, the trade name for sildenafil. They are both in a group of medicines called PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors).

A report from NIH says that Sildenafil (Viagra®) was first approved by the U.S. FDA on 27 March 1998 for erectile dysfunction treatment. Several countries around the world in the late 1990s and is TGA-registered and on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) as the active ingredient in Viagra.

An article published in PubMed Central says Tadalafil came onto the market a few years later in the early 2000s and is also TGA-registered and on the ARTG as the active ingredient in Cialis.

Both medicines act to allow muscles and blood vessels in the penis to expand and relax, enabling a larger volume of blood flow and thus achieving and maintaining an erection with sexual stimulation. It is a myth that any of these medications will cause an erection on demand; they require the body to be sexually stimulated. The TGA has classed both these medicines as Schedule 4 prescription-only medicines. It is against Australian law to buy genuine Cialis or Viagra without a valid Australian registered prescription.

Key Differences of Cialis or Viagra at a Glance

Starting and Duration: Where is the Biggest Difference?

Viagra:

• Onset of Action: Viagra starts working as soon as 30-60 minutes for most guys.
• Duration of Effectivenessof Viagra: Viagra only works for 4 to 6 hours, so it’s perfect for scheduled intercourse.

Cialis:

• Effectiveness: A single dose of Cialis can work for as long as 36 hours, which has earned it the nickname of "the weekend pill."
• With Cialis, you can obtain the freedom to not have to rush into intimacy and plan your lovemaking around taking your dosage of pill.
• Most men, and their partners, enjoy the longer lasting Cialis as it lowers the pressure for perfect sex.
• Half Life of Cialis: The long half-life of Cialis is approximately 17.5 hrs in normal healthy men and 21.6 hours in elderly men which indicates that it stays in your body for quite a long while.

On demand vs daily: A specific Cialis benefit

Viagra can only be used on demand; you pop a pill just before a scheduled or planned sexual encounter. Cialis has another approach available to it, and that’s by means of a two-tiered regimen:

• On-demand Cialis: Similar to Viagra, you’ll have either a 10 mg or 20 mg dose and swallow a pill 30–60 minutes ahead of any anticipated intercourse.
• Daily low-dose Cialis: The smallest available dose (2.5 mg or 5 mg) is swallowed each day at the same time to keep a fairly consistent level circulating in your blood, a state achieved in around five days.

In this case, readiness isn’t related to a single dose, and it is a favoured method among those having intercourse twice weekly or more, or those who want the flexibility of spontaneity.

Daily dosing really is an altogether different way of handling the issue, not simply a scaled-down model of its on-demand form. You might want to ask your primary doctor about this if spontaneity is important to you.

Does Food or Alcohol Make a Difference?

Yes, and this is another place where the drugs are different. Heavy, fatty meals can delay the absorption and reduce the peak effect of Viagra, and it's often recommended that people taking the drug take it on an empty stomach or on a light meal to ensure consistent performance. Cialis is significantly less affected by food so a big meal will probably have little effect on how well it functions.

When it comes to alcohol the effects on the drugs are largely the same. Studies for can alcohol cause erectile dysfunction indicate that taking a modest amount of alcohol should present little risk, however, excessive intake can lead to an increase in side effects, such as light-headedness and low blood pressure, and can in itself cause a problem getting an erection even if taking the pill. You can check Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction.

What Side Effects Are Present?

Since both Cialis and Viagra use the same principle, their respective side effects profile is fairly similar. Below are the side effects of Cialis and Viagra:

Patients taking the drugs often complain of:

• Headaches
• Facial flushing
• Nasal stuffiness
• Indigestion and,
• Lightheadedness

This is due to the dilating effects on the body's blood vessels. The majority of side effects are minor and short lived, as your body eliminates the medication (this happens faster for Viagra and slower for Cialis). Rare but serious side effects of viagra and cialis include sudden reduced vision or blindness, hearing loss, and an erection lasting longer than four hours (priapism), which should be immediately attended to.

Who Might Prefer Viagra?

• Men who want a drug with a defined treatment window and excellent safety history
• Men who can plan sexual activity and are happy to time a dose around it
• Those men who react to longer-lasting drugs and want the effects to dissipate quickly.

Who Might Prefer Cialis?

• Men who desire more spontaneity and are not comfortable linking sex with an active window of opportunity
• Men who are sexually active on a regular basis where daily Cialis is more convenient (and sometimes cost-effective) than as-needed doses
• Those men who are affected by the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (BPH), where Cialis is approved for the treatment of these symptoms in addition to ED.

Cost and Access in Australia

Both Cialis and Viagra need a valid Australian registered doctor or nurse practitioner prescription. If a telehealth consultation with these health practitioners has been arranged, this will include issuing a prescription where the relevant drug is listed. Cheap generic Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil). Most Australian pharmacies stockgeneric viagra (sildenafil) and generic Cialis (tadalafil). These versions are much cheaper than the patented versions but have the same strength and active ingredient.

If you're looking for a convenient online option, DirectMeds offers affordable treatment plans, including DM Ready from $1.60 per dose, DM Lasting from $2.80 per dose, and DM Steady from $1.50 per dose. Each plan includes an online consultation with an Australian-registered healthcare practitioner, authorised prescription repeats where clinically appropriate, and discreet home delivery.

Many men find that ED is not something that is covered by the PBS and the vast majority have to pay privately for their ED medications (cost varies per pharmacy, dose, and brand name/generic) however other reasons (BPH indications for tadalafil, some veteran conditions etc.) may offer a discount, so you may like to ask your pharmacist or doctor if a concession may apply to your specific prescription.

The TGA has warned consumers many times against buying Cialis and Viagra from online unregistered pharmacies based overseas as the products are often counterfeit, do not contain the correct dose, or don’t contain any active ingredient at all.

Safety First: When One Is Not Right

Without a medical prescription, it’s estimated that the majority of men who get Cialis and Viagra through prescription can take them safely but here are some important warnings:

• Don’t take either medication with nitrate pills (for chest pain/angina) or “poppers”- Recreational drug use that includes recreational nitrates - the combined drug can lead to a potentially lethal blood pressure crash.
• Take a cautious approach with ED drugs if you have heart disease, low or high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, as a sexual encounter requires some cardiac work.
• Don’t use ED pills without first talking to a doctor if you take alpha-blocker medication to treat an enlarged prostate gland or high blood pressure because that combination also carries risks of blood pressure crash.
• ED may be the first sign of heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cialis Vs. Viagra

Cialis vs Viagra: Which one is better?

When looking at the studies from PubMed Central conducted to evaluate effectiveness, Cialis and Viagra are often reported to be quite similar overall. The main differences in terms of onset of action, duration of effects, and cost will dictate which drug will be “better” for your specific preferences.

Can you take Cialis and Viagra together for better results?

No, it is not a good idea to take these medications together. It’s never going to help results, and it can actually increase your risk of side effects ( such as a severe drop in blood pressure), without giving any improved effects.

Which will last longer among both: Cialis or Viagra?

Cialis has a much longer lasting effect than Viagra. The effectiveness of the Cialis can last up to 36 hours, whereas the effectiveness of Viagra typically last between 4-6 hours.

Is daily Cialis safer than as needed Viagra?

Neither is necessarily safer than the other; they serve different purposes based on how you choose to live your life. When you take Cialis every day, you can be prepared for a sexual encounter anytime it may arise spontaneously, whereas Viagra requires you to plan for sexual activity in advance. Talk with your doctor about whether a daily dosage or an as-needed dosage is right for you.

Can I get Cialis or Viagra without a prescription in Australia?

No. Cialis and Viagra are both listed as S4, which means they areprescription-only drugs under Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines. You must present a prescription from an Australian registered medical practitioner to acquire these drugs, whether buying online or receiving an online consultation.

Does Cialis or Viagra work better after a meal?

Cialis often works well with or without food. There isn’t generally a significant effect of having taken food on how well Cialis works. If you’ve recently eaten a fatty meal, it may take Viagra a bit longer to take effect because of delays in the medication being absorbed.