Cialis is the brand name for a drug known as Tadalafil, which is a proven treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis, but since 2017 it’s also been available as a generic drug. So, what’s the difference between the two? In short, there’s no difference between them.

We break down the history of these two treatments and any differences they have, so you can decide which is right for you.

History of Cialis and Tadalafil

Cialis was one of the first medicines to be approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It’s been used by men around the world for over a decade, helping 80% achieve harder erections.

Eli Lilly was the original manufacturer for Cialis, developing a patent on the drug in 1997. Originally, Cialis was used for the treatment of heart disease, but during clinical trials it was found to also help treat erectile dysfunction. Six years later, Eli Lilly received FDA approval to licence the product for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The Eli Lilly patent on Cialis ended in the EU after 20 years, which allowed generic manufacturers to start producing their own version. The generic version of the drug is known as Tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis. The drug can be bought as either the branded Eli Lilly product Cialis, or the generic drug Tadalafil.

How do Cialis and Tadalafil work?

Like Viagra, Cialis and Tadalafil belong to a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. These drugs help to relax the blood vessels around your penis, increasing blood flow and helping you have prolonged erections when you’re aroused.

Cialis and Tadalafil have some advantages over Viagra. They work slightly quicker, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes. Their effects can last up to 36 hours, which is why they’re often nicknamed ‘the weekend pill’. You won’t have a constant erection for that time, but you can get one whenever you’re aroused, which makes it easier to have spontaneous sex.

Both treatments are also available in small daily doses: Cialis Daily and Tadalafil Daily. You take them once a day so the drug is always in your system, meaning you’re always ready for sexual activity.

Neither drug has an impact on your sex drive, they only help you get erections in response to sexual stimulation. They only treat erectile dysfunction, and have no effect on premature ejaculation or any other sexual dysfunctions.

What do they look like?

Cialis tablets come in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses. They’re yellow, film-coated, and almond-shaped. Generic Tadalafil is also an oral medication and has a similar appearance.

What’s the price difference between Cialis and Tadalafil?

The biggest difference between Cialis and Tadalafil is price. Tadalafil is a generic medication, which means that its price isn’t controlled by a single manufacturer. Cialis, on the other hand, is only produced by Eli Lilly, who controls the price without any competition. Since Cialis is a well known brand name, the manufacturer is able to charge a premium price.

Here’s a comparison of their prices:

Effectiveness

Cialis is proven to be a very effective treatment for erectile dysfunction, with over 80% of men finding it works for them. Tadalafil is produced by many different manufacturers, but it contains the exact same active ingredient and dosage as the branded drug.

Both medications have the exact same duration of action (36 hours) and take 15–60 minutes to start working.

Side effects

Because Cialis and Tadalafil are medically equivalent, they both have the same common side effects, including headaches, muscle aches, back pain, facial flushing and indigestion. In most cases, these symptoms subside within an hour of you taking the pill.

Which is better: Cialis or Tadalafil?

In short, there’s no difference between them. Both drugs are medically equivalent, so they improve blood flow to your penis in the same way and are equally effective at helping you get harder erections. They also have the same potential side effects.

If price is a deal-breaker for you, then Tadalafil is the best option. The generic form sold in the UK is just as effective as brand-name Cialis, but it’s available at a substantially lower price.

Thinking about trying an erectile dysfunction medication? Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.