Vardenafil vs Cialis: Which is Better for Erectile Dysfunction?
The market is flooded with efficient medications that cure sexual problems from their very root. Erectile dysfunction or ED is one sexual problem that is known to affect millions of men across the world, every year. Vardenafil and Cialis (Tadalafil) are two of the most popular medications that are often prescribed by doctors to eradicate symptoms of erectile dysfunction. But which one pick? Let us have a closer look at these two different medications and their efficacy against ED symptoms.
What is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitor, that is used to cure erectile dysfunction by increasing the blood flow toward the penile area by relaxing the muscles in penile blood vessels. However, a sexual stimulus is required in order to induce the erection.
What is Cialis?
Cialis is one of the most common branded drugs to cure erectile dysfunction and has the registered trademark of Lilly ICOS LLC. It is based on the salt of Tadalafil, which is quite a popular phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5 inhibitor) i.e., vasodilatation pharmaceutical drug.
Key Difference between Vardenafil vs Cialis (Tadalafil) Explained
| Parameters | Cialis (Tadalafil) | Vardenafil |
| Nature of Salt | phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, | phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) |
| Erection Duration | 17 to18 hours | 8 hours |
| Mechanism of Action | Works by inhibiting the effect of PDE5. This inhibition leads to penile erection due to the inflow of blood into the area. | Being a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, it works by increasing blood flow to the penis; upon receiving sexual stimulation. |
| Dosage strengths available | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg | 10 mg, 20 mg, 60 mg |
| Timing of Consumption | 30 minutes before the sexual act | 25 to 60 minutes before sex prior to sex |
| Dissolution duration | 30 minutes | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Side effects | The most common potential side effects of using Cialis (tadalafil) are as follows:
| The most common potential side effects of using Vardenafil are as follows:
|
| Storage requirement | 20°C – 25°C | 15° to 30°C |
Vardenafil or Cialis (Tadalafil): Which one is better?
Cialis (Tadalafil) surely has an upper hand over Vardenafil when it comes to longer erection duration.
Also, although both drugs can be used as needed before sexual activity, Cialis can be used for other purposes. For those who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and/or erectile dysfunction, Cialis can be used as a daily medication. In this way, Cialis can treat more than one condition at a time.
The absorption of Vardenafil may be affected by high-fat food intake whereas the absorption of Cialis is not affected as much by food.
However, both of them have their own list of side effects. Moreover, different patients react to different pharmaceutical ingredients in much varied ways. Hence a detailed medical diagnosis is required in order to understand one’s suitability for a particular drug.
Other Drug Interactions – Tadalafil vs Cialis
Both of these salts are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and have similar interactions with other drugs. Hence the following drugs should be avoided while receiving treatment involving either of these two drugs:
- Various forms of nitrates, such as isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
- certain blood pressure drugs, such as calcium channel blockers
- alpha-blockers, which can treat high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate
- certain pulmonary hypertension drugs, such as riociguat (Adempas)
- protease inhibitors, a class of HIV medications
- antifungal drugs, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- antibacterial drugs, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin)
Is Cialis or Vardenafil addictive?
As of now, there is not much sufficient scientific evidence available that confirms Vardenafil, Cialis or any other similar medications used to treat erectile dysfunction are physically addictive.
Which one is safer: Vardenafil or Cialis?
Both Vardenafil and Cialis are FDA-approved medications that are much more effective in eradicating symptoms of erectile dysfunction in men. The medical conditions pertaining to erectile dysfunction (ED) like a problem in achieving a proper penile erection and maintaining the same, can be addressed by both of these medicines. By now, various patients across the globe have already tried either of them and have experienced positive results. Hence both are safe as pharmaceutical drugs. Yet, neither of them should be taken without medical consultation otherwise they might inflict side effects.
Can either Vardenafil or Cialis be taken as OTC?
Both Vardenafil and Tadalafil, are strongly prescribed medications that can cause serious side effects if consumed without a thorough medical consultation. Hence a detailed diagnosis is advised before finalizing either of these two pharmaceutical drugs to cure erectile dysfunction.