Cialis (which is also called “the Weekend Pill“) is considered the principal rival of Viagra, because it has some undisputable advantages, the most important of which is a prolonged duration of actions (up to 48 hours). This medication has been studied many times. We’ve decided to take three most significant studies of tadalafil (key ingredient of Cialis) and explain them.
1. Cialis vs Viagra – a Study by Chinese Researchers
Cialis is often compared to Viagra. These two pharmaceutical products are the most common PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile problems worldwide. Binbin Gong, Ming Ma et al., scientists from China, made a huge systematic review and meta-analysis regarding comparison of sildenafil- & tadalafil-based medications.
They revealed that in different studies these two medications had similar effectiveness. But Cialis provided superior psychological outcomes. This is associated with time concerns since this preparation acts longer than Viagra – up to 48 hours – which is the highest rate among all phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Subsequently, a male has greater freedom of action in terms of time for sex (he may not plan intimacy in strict time frames), which ensures better sexual confidence.
The scientists also wrote that patients and their partners prefer Cialis to Viagra (due to the factors described above).
However, Cialis showed some disadvantages compared with the “blue tablet”. First, back pain rates were greater during its administration. Secondly, we can assume that it may be less preferable for those who take pharmaceuticals that interact with tadalafil, because the longer the drug in the body the higher the risk of undesirable interactions. Other researchers have concluded that treatment with nitrates must be deferred for minimum 2 days after intake of tadalafil, compared with 24-hour period for sildenafil & vardenafil (Levitra).
2. Fantastical Durability of Action – Is It Proved?
Back in 2003, German urologists Porst H., Padma-Nathan H. and others (private urological practice) published a study devoted to duration of the efficacy of Cialis. 348 men from European countries and the United States participated in the research. Their mean age was 57 years. The researchers examined effectiveness of tadalafil at one day and 36 hours after administration. They saw that the remedy was well-effective in both cases.
The manufacturer of Cialis (Eli Lilly company) claims that their product can act up to 36 hours. That’s definitely true. Moreover, Cialis can provide the needed effect constantly (if used on a daily basis in lower dosages).
3. Cialis for BPH – Epidemiological Review
Tadalafil is the unique PDE5 inhibitor not only due to long-lasting effect. It is the only drug approved by pharmaceutical regulators for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (abbreviated BPH, formerly known as prostate adenoma). The US FDA gave a green light to this on October 6, 2011.
But we (and you probably also) are interested to find out the data on the actual use of Cialis for the treatment of this disease after the medicament’s approval.
In 2014, a Greek researcher K. Hatzimouratidis published a review of the use of tadalafil for BPH in male persons with and without erection issues. It was reported that Cialis in 5mg dosage is effectual in decreasing prostate symptoms, irrelevant to erectile capabilities in patients, according to multiple well-designed studies. It is a good succedaneum for other drugs designed for lower urinary tract symptoms treatment, such as α-adrenergic antagonists (Flomax, Cardura, Hytrin) and 5α-reductase inhibitors (Proscar, Propecia, and Avodart). Furthermore, tadalafil is not just a substitute, since it allows patients to avoid sexual adverse events linked with alpha-blockers and 5-ARIs. Now it is the only drug that can treat sexual weakness and urinary symptoms of BPH at the same time.
Prevalence of ED and the Use of Cialis
One large-scale study conducted in 2011 in the United States of America was a large-scale 45-minute survey about the sex life of the interviewed men. About 120 thousand adult respondents took part in this survey, but only 75 thousand completed it. This survey showed that sexual dysfunction is present in almost 25% of male patients interviewed (mean age 60). Nearly 5 percent of gentlemen, with a mean age of 68, suffered from impotence, accompanied by symptoms of the lower urinary tract.
Interestingly, 66% of respondents spoke to doctors about their problems, which is a quite high indicator (especially in comparison between developing and post-Soviet countries), and 23% received drugs for handling ED.
Since Cialis helps to cope with prostate hyperplasia, using this medicine, a patient can kill two birds (ED and urinary symptoms) with one stone.
You may also be interested in Cialis history.
