MedExpress

Looking to try an erectile dysfunction medication? You’ve probably heard of Viagra and Cialis, two of the most popular, and well known, ED pills. We’re here to help you decide which one is the best treatment for you. Our experts compare them, breaking down how fast they work, how much they cost, how effective they are and more.

What is Cialis?

Cialis is an erectile dysfunction treatment that contains the drug tadalafil. There are two types: Cialis Daily and regular Cialis. 

Cialis Daily is a low dose (2.5mg or 5mg) tablet you take once a day. This daily dose helps maintain a steady level of tadalafil in your bloodstream, helping you get an erection whenever you’re sexually aroused. This option is ideal if you engage in sexual activity more than twice a week and prefer the spontaneity of not having to plan ahead.

You take regular Cialis as needed, typically 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. The usual dose is 10mg or 20mg, which provides a higher concentration of tadalafil in the body. This can help you achieve harder erections for up to 36 hours after taking the medication. Regular Cialis is ideal for less frequent sexual activity, or if you prefer to take the medication only when needed.

What is Viagra?

Viagra is one of the best-known treatments for erectile dysfunction, and it’s been used for over two decades to improve sexual performance. It’s the branded version of sildenafil, which is also available as a generic tablet.

How do Cialis and Viagra work?

Cialis and Viagra are also known as PDE5 inhibitors. They treat erectile dysfunction by relaxing the muscles around your blood vessels, which improves blood flow to your penis. This makes it easier to get and maintain erections when you’re aroused. PDE5 inhibitors don’t increase sexual desire, they only affect the physical side of erectile dysfunction.

Does Cialis work faster than Viagra?

Although both drugs are fast-acting, Cialis has a faster onset than Viagra. Viagra usually takes about 20–30 minutes to take effect, while Cialis can start working in only 15–20 minutes.

Cialis is also available as Cialis Daily — a lower dose taken once a day, so you’re ready for sexual activity, whenever you like.

Do you last longer with Viagra or Cialis?

Viagra and Cialis are used to treat erectile dysfunction, not premature ejaculation, so neither pill will help you delay climax.

Cialis can help you get erections any time you’re aroused over a 36-hour period. This has earned it the nickname “the weekend pill”. You don’t need to take it just before sex, so it’s great for spontaneous plans.

Viagra stays in your body for around 4 hours, so you need to take it around 30–60 minutes before sex to get the most benefit.

Is Viagra more effective than Cialis?

Clinical evidence shows that both medications are highly effective at treating erectile dysfunction, and there’s no significant difference between the two.
In clinical trials over 90% of men said Viagra improved their erections. Another study on Cialis found that 81% of men had improved erections after taking it. 

Can Cialis and Viagra be taken with food?

Both Cialis and Viagra are oral medications. You can take Cialis with or without food, but you should take Viagra on an empty stomach, as it can take longer to work if you take it with food.

Which is more expensive, Cialis or Viagra?

The price of Cialis and Viagra depends on the dose you take, and how much you buy. Viagra starts at £6.87 a pill. Cialis Daily, the lowest dose of Cialis, starts at £2.38 per pill, while the on-demand doses are the most expensive, starting at £9.37 per pill.

Does Cialis have fewer side effects than Viagra?

Both drugs work in the same way, which means they share many of the same common side effects. These include headaches, muscle aches, back pain, flushing and indigestion. In most cases, these settle after an hour.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of these severe side effects while taking Cialis or Viagra:

• Chest pain
• Blurred vision
• Sudden hearing loss
• Fast heart rate
• High or low blood pressure
• Severe allergic reaction

Cialis vs Viagra — which is better?

Cialis and Viagra are evenly matched at treating erectile dysfunction, improving your blood flow to help you get harder erections. They both have very similar common side effects, but Cialis stays in your body for longer. 

Cialis is also available in two forms — daily use and on-demand — which could make it easier for you to find a dose that suits your personal needs.

Both erectile dysfunction treatments need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional, and they’re also available as generic medications at a lower price.

Find out what treatment is suitable for you on our website.