Viagra® is probably the most recognized drug for erectile dysfunction (ED) in the whole world, but two newer ED medications, Cialis® and Levitra®, released in 2003, have changed the way men look at a very personal problem. They’ve asked the important question: Which is the most popular and effective ED medication?
The answer might come as a surprise.
How Viagra and Its Counterparts Operate With a group of four major drugs and a variety of different doses, it can be hard to know where your baseline might be. Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Stendra® (avanafil), and the not as common udenafil, all function the same way. They block an enzyme in the body known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). It includes tadalafil, vardenafil, and sildenafil—the inhibitors that function by blocking an enzyme in the body that actually constricts blood flow.
They basically remove obstacles along the way of improved blood circulation in the penis, helping an erection to come about.
PDE5 inhibitors are extremely potent at allowing men with ED to achieve and maintain an erection. With sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil all being made available as inexpensive generics, they all are incredibly widely prescribed. They do, however, have slight structural differences between them which make them unique from each other. What’s the Most Popular ED Medication and Why?
Most of the Rex MD customers gravitate to either Viagra or Cialis because these two medications are arguably the most popular PDE5 inhibitors. That’s because Viagra was the first ED medication ever approved, all the way back in 1998, and Cialis similarly staked a place in users’ imaginations by allowing them to get an erection at any point within the next 36 hours. When matched in user preference, the results from these two giants of ED medications may come out surprisingly.
Cialis: The Preferred Choice
Both men and partners like Cialis better when push comes to shove in a head-to-head comparison with Viagra. A study that was released in 2017 had a direct comparison between Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil), which clearly showed why Cialis became a favorite. The analysis took into account 16 studies with 5,189 patients of age ranging from 36.9 to 56.2 years.
The results found in this review and in similar work in 2015 generally favored tadalafil from the viewpoint of the patients and their partners. Summary: “Tadalafil was found to be similarly effective, safe, and satisfying for the treatment of ED, and its use significantly improved psychological outcome. There were no statistically significant differences in adherence and persistence between patients using tadalafil and sildenafil. Both the male and female patients also showed a preference for tadalafil in treating ED. Hence, the better choice of drug could be tadalafil.”
But why is Cialis the preferred option for many?
Cialis Lasts Longer
One great feature of Cialis is that its activity is significantly durable. While Viagra should be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before the desired sexual interaction, Cialis is taken one hour prior to sex. However, the effects last up to 36 hours, hence the colloquial pseudonym “the weekend pill.” This extended period takes the users away from the pressure of timing, which is quite hectic, and the necessity for meticulous planning. It provides exceptional flexibility for its users. Potential Mental Health Benefits
Similarly, other researchers have postulated that the use option of tadalafil may also yield couples psychosocial and psychological benefits. A lowering of pressure of timing results in increased overall satisfaction with the treatment. Tadalafil helps to enhance sexual confidence better than sildenafil.
Fewer Side Effects
Viagra is often considered the most effective ED medication due to its rapid onset of action.
However, there is some proof that it may be associated with more side effects compared to its counterparts. In one analysis, sildenafil had the highest overall rate of adverse events, while tadalafil had the lowest among all of the adverse events. In another 2017 study, however, the nature of their side effects was different, although the overall adverse event rate between tadalafil was not significantly different from that of sildenafil.
There was no significant difference with either drug in the incidence of headaches, stomach pain, or stuffy nose. The only exception is that sildenafil users reported a larger amount of facial flushing with less back pain compared to tadalafil users.
In a group of those who give first priority to just plain effectiveness, Viagra would probably be the best choice. In a group of those who strive for better tolerability and effectiveness, Tadalafil would perhaps be more suited.
Cost-Effective Options Luckily, tadalafil and sildenafil have now become very affordable. In many aspects, the accessibility of these two medications is due to the availability of generic forms from various manufacturers. When they were first introduced and approved two decades ago, these medications were extremely expensive; since they were branded, their prices reached $90 for one dose. Get tadalafil affordably today with telehealth providers like Rex MD. Complete an online medical questionnaire and meet with one of our board-certified physicians via virtual consultation. Once approved, your order is discreetly packaged and delivered right to your door. Summarizing: Viagra is one of the iconic drugs for the treatment of ED. However, in relation to all of the above, numerous advantages of Cialis have been accrued due to its duration of effectiveness, potential benefits in mental health, lower side effects, and cost-effectiveness. After all, it is finally left to preferences and personal priorities in the management of erectile dysfunction.