Although Cialis and Viagra both make it easier to get and maintain pleasure, there are a few key differences between these two ED medications that may make one a better choice than the other for you if you have difficulty getting and staying hard.
The biggest differences between Viagra and Cialis is the total amount of time each medication works — for Cialis, up to 36 hours, and for Viagra, around four hours. But other nuances about how — and when — these medications should be taken will ultimately be very important when deciding which one is right for you.
Is Cialis stronger than Viagra? Is Viagra stronger than Cialis? Which one should you take?
Below, we’ll guide you though these questions and compare Cialis and Viagra on their effectiveness, their duration of action, potential side effects and more. But let’s quickly cover what they have in common, to set the stage.
How Cialis and Viagra Work
Used by millions of men in the United States alone, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors such as tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) and sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) are two of the most widely used drugs for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), and for good reason.
Cialis and Viagra both work in very similar ways and have similar effects on your arousal.
Cialis and Viagra, as well as their generic equivalents, belong to a class of drugs referred to as PDE5 inhibitors. These medications work by inhibiting the actions of an internal enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (or PDE5, for short).
PDE5’s full role in your vascular system is complicated, but on a simple level, it’s involved in the control of blood flow to your male genitalia.
By inhibiting the actions of PDE5, medications like Cialis and Viagra increase the total amount of blood that can flow to your male genitalia when you’re aroused.
This increase in blood flow can make it easier for you to get pleasure when you feel ready to get aroused
It’s important to understand that Cialis and Viagra aren’t arousal pills. If you’re not already aroused, they won’t do the hard work for you. Instead, they make it easier to get and stay hard when you’re already in the mood for arousal.
What’s the Difference Between Cialis and Viagra?
Generally, there is no major difference in the effectiveness of Viagra vs Cialis. Both tablets can be taken at least 30 minutes to an hour before performing. The difference lies primarily in the effective windows of each medication: Viagra can last up to four hours, while Cialis lasts around 36 hours.
Because both drugs work by affecting the blood vessels that supply your male genitalia, you should be careful if you have a cardiovascular issue, such as high blood pressure, a history of heart disease or if you’ve previously had a heart attack.
We’ve discussed these issues — as well as steps you can take to use Cialis or Viagra as safely as possible — further down the page.
To get a sense of how the medical community views each medication and their different ideal use cases:
Viagra 101
Arguably the most well-known ED medication of all, Viagra contains the active ingredient sildenafil.
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Sildenafil citrate (generic Viagra) is considered an on demand treatment for ED, meaning it’s taken as needed.
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It was developed in the ‘80s and ‘90s as a treatment for angina (a type of chest pain caused by certain heart conditions).
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During testing, the researchers behind sildenafil discovered that although it was effective as an angina treatment, it was more effective at helping men get excited, largely because it increases blood flow to the male genitalia.
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Viagra was approved by the FDA as a treatment for ED in 1998. It’s now sold as brand name Viagra and as generic sildenafil.
It takes around 30 to 60 minutes for a normal dose of Viagra to begin working and provide relief from ED.
Cialis 101
Also a prescription ED medication approved by the FDA, Cialis contains the active ingredient tadalafil.
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Tadalafil or generic Cialis can be taken either on demand or as a daily ED medication.
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It came onto the market a little later than Viagra, first receiving approval as a prescription ED medication in 2003.
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Like sildenafil, it comes as an oral tablet for use before arousal.
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Cialis isn’t solely used to treat ED. It’s also used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a form of enlarged prostate that’s common in middle-aged and older men.
It can be taken as needed or daily, and is often referred to as the “weekend pill” thanks to its long-lasting effects.
Is Cialis Better than Viagra?
Does Cialis work better than Viagra? It depends who you ask. One of the main reasons people consider Cialis to be “better” than Viagra is that Cialis lasts longer. Cialis can last for up to 36 hours per dose, whereas a single dose of Viagra usually provides relief from ED for around four hours.
Put simply, Cialis works like a weekend pill for ED, hence its nickname, while Viagra is more of an evening pill.
If you like to have bedroom time more than once a day, or if you prefer the idea of taking a single pill for a weekend versus taking medication every night, you’ll probably prefer Cialis over Viagra.
On the other hand, if you’re only interested in short-term relief from ED, such as for a night out, or if you want to limit the amount of time your medication is active in your body (and, therefore, the amount of time you experience potential side effects), Viagra could be a better choice for you.
There are other factors about each medication to consider, so it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider before deciding that a specific medication is going to be best for you based on the time it’s active within your body.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Cialis and Viagra don’t always last for precisely 36 or four hours per dose. You may notice the effects of either medication ending sooner or later based on factors such as your body weight, your eating habits or certain medical conditions.
Viagra vs Cialis: Which Works Faster?
Cialis and Viagra are both fast-acting medications that should produce noticeable improvements in your function within 30 minutes to two hours.
On average, it takes around 30 to 120 minutes for Cialis to start working. Most research suggests that Cialis reaches its peak concentration in your blood after about two hours.
Similarly, Viagra typically starts to work after 30 to 60 minutes.
Regardless of whether you use Cialis or Viagra, a few simple techniques can help you to make sure that your medication works in time for you to get aroused:
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Take your medication around an hour before getting aroused. This way, your medication will be either completely active or close to completely active by the time you and your partner begin the activity.
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Take note of how long it takes before you “feel” your medication. Try to remember how long it takes before you notice improvements in arousal after taking your ED medication. This way, you’ll know how early to take Cialis or Viagra in the future.
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Avoid eating too much food before using ED medication. Some ED medications can take longer to begin working if they’re taken with a large, fatty meal. We’ve discussed the effects of high-fat meals on ED medication in more detail below.
Follow other medical advice to improve your arousal. Making simple, meaningful changes to your daily habits, such as maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet, can also help to improve your ED and performance in bed.
Our guide to maintaining an arousal naturally shares lifestyle tips that you can use with Viagra or Cialis for improved arousal and better health.
Which is Better: Viagra or Cialis?
Cialis and Viagra are both highly effective as treatments for ED. Both are approved by the FDA, meaning they’ve passed through an extensive process of clinical trials showing that they’re both safe and effective for most men.
Most studies show that more than 80 percent of men with ED who take either medication find it easier to get and stay hard.
For example, in an article published in the journal Clinical Interventions in Aging, experts found that 88 percent of men with ED reported successful arousal after using Cialis, versus approximately 64 percent of men who used a non-therapeutic placebo.
They also found that the men who used Cialis reported higher levels of satisfaction, as well as more successful attempts at intercourse.
A similar study published in the journal BMC Urology also found that 91 percent of men with ED reported improved arousal after using Viagra before performing.
It’s important not to get wrapped up in the minutiae here. Although there are slight differences in these numbers, both Cialis and Viagra are extremely effective at treating ED, and neither medication is “better” than the other.
The real difference is the amount of time each medication works, which is something you’ll want to keep in mind when discussing ED medications with your healthcare provider.
(Related: How to Get Viagra: Do You Need A Prescription?)
Are Cialis or Viagra Affected by Food?
Like other oral medications, Cialis and Viagra are broken down by your stomach acids, allowing them to pass through your liver and into your bloodstream.
Because oral medications need to pass through your digestive tract, taking these medications at the same time as eating certain foods can affect the rate at which they’re absorbed and able to become effective.
Viagra and Cialis can both be taken without any regard to your food intake. However, according to the FDA, taking Viagra with a meal that’s high in fat might slow down its absorption, meaning it could take longer to start working.
This effect doesn’t appear to be very large, meaning you shouldn’t worry too much about what you eat when you’re using Viagra.
However, if you notice that Viagra is a little slow to start working for you, you might want to opt for a lighter meal or just taking it on an empty stomach versus taking it with something like a burger, steak or pizza.
Not only should this help with absorption, but it’s also an easy way to reduce your risk of feeling bloated in the bedroom.
(Related: The Best ED Pills for Men)
Cialis vs Viagra Side Effects
When taken as prescribed under the supervision of a healthcare professional, Cialis and Viagra are both safe and effective medications for most men.
However, like all medications, Cialis and Viagra can both potentially cause adverse effects. Most of these are mild side effects that improve over time, although some side effects related to Cialis or Viagra may be more severe and/or persistent.
Because Cialis and Viagra work in similar ways within your body, they usually cause similar side effects.
You can find the most common side effects of Viagra and Cialis below, along with information on the percentage of men who report these side effects at the minimum and maximum doses:
Common Viagra Side Effects
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Headaches (16 to 28 percent)
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Flushing (10 to 19 percent)
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Upset stomach (three to 17 percent)
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Abnormal vision, including changes in color vision, blurred vision and/or increased sensitivity to light (one to 11 percent)
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Nasal congestion (four to 9 percent)
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Back pain (three to four percent)
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Muscle pain (two to four percent)
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Nausea (two to three percent)
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Dizziness (three to four percent)
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Skin rash (one to three percent)
Common Cialis Side Effects
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Headaches (three to 15 percent)
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Upset stomach (four to ten percent)
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Back pain (three to six percent)
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Muscle pain (one to four percent)
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Nasal congestion (two to three percent)
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Flushing (one to three percent)
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Pain in limbs (one to three percent)
In rare cases, Cialis and Viagra may cause more serious side effects, including temporary loss of vision, sudden loss of hearing or changes in hearing sensitivity and allergic reactions.
In very rare cases, Cialis and Viagra may cause priapism. Priapism is a painful and prolonged arousal that requires immediate care from a medical professional.
If you experience a painful, persistent or uncomfortable arousal after using Viagra, Cialis or any other type of ED medication, it’s important to go to the emergency room immediately.
As we mentioned, most of the time, side effects from ED medications get better over time. But because Cialis has a much longer half-life than Viagra, you may experience Cialis side effects for longer.
If you’re prone to side effects from any type of ED medication, you might benefit from adjusting your dosage.
Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to the way you take Viagra or Cialis, including reducing your dose of either medication.
Our guide to what you can expect from ED medication goes into greater detail about the potential side effects of Cialis, Viagra and similar medications, while our full guide to Viagra (sildenafil) side effects goes into more detail about the potential adverse effects of this medication.
(Related: How Do Premature Ejaculation Pills Work?)
Cialis and Viagra Interactions
Cialis and Viagra can both interact with other medications, including several medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and other cardiovascular health issues.
When used with nitrates, Cialis and Viagra can produce a sudden drop in blood pressure levels that may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting and serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack or stroke.
In addition to prescription nitrates such as nitroglycerin, other nitrate/nitrite products that interact with Cialis and Viagra include recreational “poppers”.
Cialis and Viagra can also interact with other medications, including:
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Alpha blockers
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Guanylate cyclase stimulators
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Oral antifungal medications
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Other hypertension medications
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Other ED medications
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HIV protease inhibitors
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Some antibiotics
If you’re prescribed any type of medication, or if you occasionally use recreational drugs, make sure to inform your healthcare provider before using Cialis, Viagra or any other ED medication.
This article originally appeared on Hims and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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25 Weight-Loss “Tricks” You Should Stop Immediately
When it comes to diet and nutrition, we all want to find “the answer” that will fix our alleged problems. As a result, we often latch onto crazy diet ideas that, in the moment, sound like the perfect solution. But these too-good-to-be-true “solutions” can hurt more than help us in our attempts to achieve weight loss and gain healthy habits.
Here are some of the most common diet myths exposed.
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The protein-pushing keto craze sure makes it seem like carbs should be avoided at all costs. But do grains deserve their bad reputation?
“People often say that carbs are fattening,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD. “But complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, are not ‘fattening’ foods.’”
In other words, avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread, rice and processed snacks, but keep those whole grains for a healthy balance.
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While diet sodas may be a better alternative than their full-sugar counterparts, medical studies are starting to show that the artificial sweeteners may actually cause us to eat more calories later in the day. If you want to keep the fizz and ditch the artificial sweetener, try flavored carbonated water instead.
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Like carbs, the type of fats we eat makes a difference. That, in combination with how many calories we eat each day, determines our body weight. Trans fats, typically found in many fried foods, can cause cardiovascular disease. However, saturated fats do not have the same effect and can, in fact, help keep us satisfied longer, leading to fewer calories consumed.
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Maybe you’ve only been eating the egg whites to avoid raising your cholesterol. Well, maybe you don’t have to anymore.
“Unless you are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease, eating the eggs AND yolks can actually help you,” says Darin Hulslander, CEO and owner of DNS Performance and Nutrition. “For one, yolks are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Egg yolks also elevate high-density lipoproteins, which are the ‘good’ proteins that can help remove plaque from the arteries.”
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If you count calories, you might think losing weight is as simple as staying under a certain number every day. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily true. You can eat 200 calories of lean protein or 200 calories of chocolate, but the body processes each differently. Depending on what you eat, your body can store or burn more calories. So, use those calories wisely!
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Reading headlines such as “red meat could lead to cancer” is frightening. And while some studies indicate there is an association with red meat consumption and cancer, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean it causes cancer. Eating red meat in moderation is not dangerous.
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan
The American Heart Association recommends that people consume less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium (salt) each day. Excessive sodium can lead to high blood pressure. However, this doesn’t mean we have to eat bland food. Use salt in moderation and, if you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor on the best guidelines for your individual needs.
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Sure, peanut butter is a good source of protein and fat. However, you need to be careful about what kind you put in your pantry. Many national brands of peanut butter are filled with extra sugar, fats and preservatives that counteract any health benefits. Check the label and pick up a jar with as few ingredients as possible to get the healthiest version of this favorite snack.
Getty Images | Justin Sullivan
Calories can’t tell time. The time of day of when you eat only matters if you tend to overindulge at the end of the day and eat too many calories. If you happen to eat a late dinner or snack but stay within your normal calorie range for the day, it should all even out in the long run. However, many people mindlessly eat at night because they are bored or tired, and this is what leads to weight gain.
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This is the one case where all calories are pretty much alike. Multiple studies show that eating the same amount of calories in either a few larger meals or more frequent smaller ones have the same outcome on the body. In other words, this is a case where 1,000 calories in a day are the same, no matter how often you eat during the day.
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With labels like “Lean Cuisine” and “Healthy Choice,” it’s easy to think that pre-packaged frozen meals are not only convenient but also a better choice to help us in our diet goals. This isn’t always the case. Many of these pre-packaged meals contain too much sodium, which can lead to water retention and bloat. Also, many offer too few calories, which can lead to hunger later on in the day. Check the labels carefully and make sure you’re making the best choice.
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When looking to avoid processed carbohydrates, many people reach for wheat or multigrain bread over white. But be careful! Make sure you’re picking up 100% wheat or whole grain bread. Otherwise, you could be just be getting mostly white bread with a little wheat flour mixed in — or even just food coloring to make it look brown!
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This nutrition myth has been around forever, but it’s just not true for most people. Medical studies show that among extremely active people such as marathon runners and skiers, taking at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C every day can possibly cut the risk of getting a cold in half. But for most people, taking daily vitamin C did not seem to actually reduce the risk of getting a cold.
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Wouldn’t it be great if there were such a thing as a negative-calorie food? You know, the kind that burns more calories when we eat it than it has? Sadly, there is no such thing, even when it comes to something as healthy as a piece of celery.
“Regardless of the [calories] in the food, you’re always going to be able to get something out of it,” says Stephen Secor, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama.
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Organic is simply how ingredients are grown, usually pesticide-, herbicide- and insecticide-free. An organic label does not mean it’s healthier than non-organic foods. Even things like sugar, granola bars and boxed mashed potatoes can be organic. So, don’t rely on an organic label to tell you if something is automatically better for your diet.
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While cutting out gluten from your diet can help if you have celiac disease, it isn’t really a factor in weight loss.
“Unless you suffer from celiac disease, there’s not much scientific support to back the claim that eating gluten-free is healthier or a smart strategy for weight loss,” says Ashvini Mashru MA, RD, LDN. “Cutting gluten out of your diet most often leads to a reduction in overall calories, simply due to the sheer amount of grain-based foods that we eat on a regular basis.”
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Fewer calories consumed means weight loss, right? Not so fast!
“In fact, studies have proven it to be the opposite: skipping meals promotes weight gain,” says Cheryl Forberg, RD, nutritionist for “The Biggest Loser.” “When we skip a meal, by the time we eat, we’re so hungry we consume too much, too fast and choose the wrong foods.”
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Foods like asparagus and lemons are known as natural diuretics. And while these kinds of foods may not hurt when it comes to holding onto excess water, eating large amounts of them will not help get rid of belly bloat or weight.
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Your daily cup of coffee may give you a good dose of caffeine, which is a stimulant to your body. However, that caffeine jolt does not boost your metabolism enough to be a weight loss cure-all. Also, depending on what you add to your coffee (cream, flavorings, sugar), you could be adding extra calories to your day. So if you love a cup of joe, keep it basic and black, if possible.
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This is a short-term fix with many long-term problems. By severely cutting daily calories for extended periods of time, your entire metabolism can change to actually hold onto weight! Also, your body needs adequate nutrition to stay healthy. If you want to lose weight and keep it off forever, you need a modest calorie restriction plan that you simply continue and never stop.
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You cannot outrun a bad diet. It’s as simple as that. Exercise is great for our cardiovascular health and for building good muscle tone. And yes, it does help regulate our weight. But the amount of exercise you have to do to counteract a few extra slices of pizza isn’t sustainable or reasonable. So work in a healthy diet plan along with your regular workouts for optimal results.
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In a pinch, these convenience items are helpful in maintaining a healthy diet. But things like shakes and nutrition bars are not meant to be long-term replacements for healthy meals. Check the ingredients for artificial sweeteners if you buy these items. Your best bet: Make these at home and use them occasionally.
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Yes, some people should probably cut back on sugar in order to make their diet healthier. But naturally sweet foods such as fruits are sources of important vitamins and minerals. The sweets to avoid are those with added sugars and syrups.
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Good news! While fresh vegetables are always a healthy option, so are most frozen varieties. Over time, fresh vegetables can lose nutrients, while frozen ones can retain them longer. Make sure you pick up frozen vegetables without added sauces, cheese or sodium to keep them as close to fresh as possible.
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Can you imagine life without ice cream, cookies or cake? You don’t have to in order to follow a healthy eating plan. In fact, planning to have some of your favorite treats occasionally can ensure you don’t feel deprived and end up splurging later on.
This article originally appeared on TheDelite and was syndicated by MediaFeed.
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