Millions of men will vouch for Viagra as the “magic blue pill” which made their ED problems go away. But now, there is also Cialis on the market. Since Cialis gives long lasting results, garnering it the nickname “the weekend pill,” does it make sense to bother with Viagra? With all the positive press surrounding both of these ED pills, how are you supposed to know which one is best? Here are some of the things you need to consider when it comes to choosing between Viagra and Cialis:
Effectiveness
Both Viagra and Cialis essentially work in the exact same way. They inhibit an enzyme called PDE5 which is responsible for regulating blood flow to the penis. By taking either Viagra or Cialis, you will have more blood flowing to your penis, thus firmer and longer-lasting erections. However, that does NOT mean you will get the same results from Viagra as you will from Cialis. These ED pills work slightly differently on a cellular level. Some men may not have results with Viagra but will with Cialis (or visa versa). If one ED treatment doesn’t work well for you, then try the other.
How Fast Do You Need Results?
For both Viagra and Cialis, it is recommended that you take the pill about 60 minutes before sexual activity. However, Viagra generally starts working in about 15 minutes whereas Cialis starts working in about 30 minutes. If you need very fast results, then Viagra may be the better choice for you.
How Long Do Results Last?
When it comes to long-lasting results, no ED pill can top Cialis. This medicine has a half-life of 17 hours compared to only 4 hours with Viagra. That means most men get benefits from Cialis up to 36 hours or more. With Viagra, benefits are going to wear off in about 4-8 hours.
Safety Record
Viagra and Cialis have the same potential side effects and precautions. However, Viagra has been on the market for 5 years longer than Cialis (Viagra came out in 1998 and Cialis in 2003). Viagra has also been used by millions more men than Cialis. Even though both ED pills are considered safe to use, Viagra wins when it comes to trusted safety record.
Cost
Most insurance companies will not cover the costs of ED pills like Viagra and Cialis. That means you will likely be paying the costs yourself – and they can be expensive! Viagra is usually around $8-$15 per dosage and Cialis is typically about $10-$15 per dosage. Thus, Viagra is usually cheaper. However, Cialis can give results which last up to 36 hours. So, you may not need to take a second dosage of Cialis on day 2, thus making Cialis the cheaper choice.
Treatment Options
If you only need an ED pill occasionally, then either Viagra or Cialis may be a good choice. However, many men need a regular treatment that they can count on. For these men, Cialis is a better choice. Only Cialis has an FDA-approved once-daily treatment option. You just take a low dosage of Cialis daily and will be ready whenever the moment strikes.