Sildenafil vs Tadalafil: Which ED Medication Is Right for You?

What is Sildenafil Citrate?

Sildenafil citrate, a generic name for Viagra, is a famous prescription drug used to treat Erectile Dysfunction. It belongs to a class of medicine known as PDE5 inhibitors that relax the blood vessels and increase the blood flow in the penis, which allows a man to keep an erection during sexual intercourse for an extended period of time and provides a more satisfying experience. The FDA authorized the drug “sildenafil citrate” for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Hypertension. Sildenafil is the best-known treatment and widely used for treating Erectile dysfunction. It starts working in about 30 minutes and lasts up to 4 hours, during which you get a firm erection if you are sexually aroused.

What is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil, the generic name for Cialis, is a PDE5 inhibitor. It is one of the most common medicines after Viagra that is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This FDA-approved prescription drug starts to work in 30 minutes. It remains in your system for 36 hours, which increases the durability of your action for a better sexual experience for an extended period of time. It is also commonly termed as a weekend drug, as its mechanism of action lasts in the body for up to 36 hours.

What is the difference between Sildenafil and Tadalafil?

Sildenafil and Tadalafil are considered to be the most effective and widely used prescription medications for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Both medications belong to the group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and work by increasing blood flow to the penis after blocking certain chemicals in the body, making it easier to maintain an erection for a better sexual experience. However, there are some major differences between these two ED medications:

• Sildenafil is a high-dose fast-acting medication and starts working within 30-60 minutes after taking the drug, and it lasts up to 4-6 hours, depending on the meal you have taken. Consuming a high-fat meal may degrade the effect of sildenafil. On the other hand, Tadalafil also starts showing its effect in 30 minutes, but its effect can last up to 36 hours. This is the reason why it is commonly referred to as the weekend pill. It usually comes in low dosage and is unaffected by the type of food you have consumed before taking this medication.

• Sildenafil is the generic name of the very common ED medication Viagra, whereas Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis. Both medications are approved by the FDA, and the generic versions of both medications are available.

• Sildenafil as well as Tadalafil share similar side effects; however, sildenafil may occasionally lead to temporary visual changes, such as blurred or blue-tinted vision.

Before you buy ED medication online in Canada or the United States, you should always consult your healthcare professional so that they can help you select the best treatment plan as per your requirements and health condition.

Sildenafil vs Tadalafil: How do they work?

Sildenafil, Tadalafil, or any other medication developed for treating Erectile Dysfunction does not produce an erection on its own but can only work if a person is sexually stimulated. The basic mechanism of these medications is that they increase the blood flow to the penis by relaxing and enlarging the blood vessels in the penile region. The increased supply of blood makes the penis firm for a longer duration than usual when you are engaged in a sexual activity. The medicine restricts a chemical, PDE-5, that impacts the flow of blood in the penis.

How to select which ED medication is right?

It completely depends upon your health conditions and your life choices to determine if you want to go with Sildenafil(Viagra) or Tadalafil(Cialis) to treat Erectile Dysfunction. Your healthcare provider, upon reviewing your medical history and preferences, can decide which drug suits you the best.

If you want to prioritize the effect to last for a shorter period of time, you can buy sildenafil online that can help you with an erection in just 30-60 minutes, but the effect may last no more than 4-6 hours, depending on the meal you have taken prior to the intake of Sildenafil. On the other hand, if you opt for the effects to last longer, you can buy Tadalafil tablets. They enable you to remain sexually active for roughly 36 hours with a lower dosage than Sildenafil, which is usually a high-dose medication, as compared to Tadalafil.

Safety and Precautionary Measures

Before taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil, you should keep the following precautionary measures in mind for your safety and security:

• Do not use this drug if you’re allergic to Sildenafil, Tadalafil, or any other inactive ingredient used in developing these medications.

• You should not take any of these medications if you are already taking any medication containing nitrates. You must inform your healthcare specialist about any medications, vitamins, herbal drugs, or nutritional supplements you take or plan to take.

• Do not take more than one ED medication at a time, as it can lead to an overdose and may lead to potential side effects.

• Always discuss your medical history, such as if you ever had heart problems, if you smoke, if you had liver or kidney disease, or if you suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, or if you or a family member ever had eye disease or vision loss. This information will help you select the medication for your condition.

• Report to your doctor if you experience side effects like indigestion, flushing, headaches, nasal congestion, and severe side effects such as prolonged erection for longer than usual.

• If you are a female and taking Sildenafil or Tadalafil to treat PAH - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Please do let the doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant in the near future, or if you breastfeed.

• This may not be a complete list of the precautionary measures. Please have a discussion with your doctor before taking these medicines to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

Takeaway

Erectile Dysfunction is not a disease but a disorder. It can be caused by neurological conditions, mental health conditions, and injuries. Please understand that you are not alone in this battle against this condition. Your goal is to achieve a healthy sexual life. The only barrier is the decision to take the first step. You need to tell your healthcare provider about your condition. They can then choose the medication best suited to you, based on your health and medical history. Taking this step is the start of your journey to regain confidence and happiness.