The development of new drugs for the erectile dysfunction treatment does not stop, even for a day. Despite the highly competitive market, some drugs have been popular for many years. Cialis and Staxyn often cause heated debates among ordinary men and even professionals. Revealing the best ED medication would not be complete without comparing these drugs.
Cialis and Staxyn—General Provisions
Manufacturers of anti-ED drugs create pills with a similar effect in a man’s body. The use of different active ingredients does not change principal effects of taking the tablet. Innovations are largely designed to shorten the time for the effect to appear, prolong the action of an active substance and reduce side effects.
Cialis Overview
Tadalafil is a basic ingredient of these popular tablets. It is a specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) neutralizer which acts selectively to increase the level of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.
Cialis is available in 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets. The recommended frequency of intake is no more than once a day. It can be taken daily or on demand.
This drug has several side effects. The most common unpleasant consequences of taking Cialis are headache and dyspepsia (up to 11% of cases). Some men complain of back pain, myalgia, nasal congestion, and facial flushing. This is due to the peculiarities of tadalafil’s action on the circulatory system. Absolute selectivity (specificity of action) of this chemical compound is not possible.
Staxyn Features
Vardenafil is the main ingredient in this drug. It is a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Vardenafil was developed approximately at the same time with Cialis (however, Staxyn was released later). Probably, the developers tried to take into account the experience of competitors, because the side effects of Staxyn are less aggressive than Cialis. Headache, facial flushing, and dyspepsia are slightly less common. However, there is no reason to say that the problem of side effects has been fully resolved.
Staxyn is available in pill form (orally disintegrating, rapidly acting tablets). A doctor may prescribe dose of 5 to 20 mg depending on age, health, and other factors.
Main Differences
Tablets from ED differ in pharmacokinetics (absorption, biological availability, distribution, metabolism, and elimination). The rest of the differences are insignificant.
The maximum concentration of tadalafil in the blood plasma is observed 2 hours after taking Cialis. The analogous figure for vardenafil is 0.6–0.9 h for all doses. These indicators mean the time required for the maximum effect of the drug. Men claim that it takes about 30-45 minutes for Cialis and 15-30 min for Staxyn to work.
A very important characteristics of an ED drug is its half-life. It indicates the time period during which about 50% of a medication leaves the body. Cialis retains the ability to improve erection for up to 36 hours (with a 17-hour half-life). Staxyn can provide sexual help for up to 6 hours (half-life is about 4-5 hours).
Read another ED comparison: Cialis vs Levitra
The drugs presented above have some differences in the nature of their interaction with other pharmaceuticals. Only a doctor can choose the right pill for a patient who is undergoing treatment for other diseases. There are about 416 drugs that may interact with Staxyn and about 255 drugs that can change the way how Cialis works (or be affected by it).
Most men who have posted their reviews on ED treatment forums claim that Staxyn is quite effective even with food and alcohol. Cialis manufacturers warn of a potential decrease in the effectiveness of their product after fatty foods and alcohol intake.
If you have to choose between Cialis and Staxyn independently, you should clearly understand that they have identical pharmacological action. They enhance the local action of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) in the corpus cavernosum. This allows relaxation of the smooth muscles of the arteries and blood flow to the tissues of the penis.
The correct choice of tablets depends on several factors:
- Your aim (Staxyn for fast action; Cialis for long action).
- Individual intolerance (probably some of them is not suitable for you).
- Interaction (not all drugs are equally compatible with other meds).
- Presence of other diseases (vardenafil may be a better choice for diabetics).
In any case, you should visit a doctor to minimize the risks. It is possible that he / she will recommend you a completely different medicine contrary to your expectations.
