Difference Between Cialis And Adcirca – IACOPh Ratings & Reviews

Most probably, you’ve heard about tadalafil (Cialis trade name) as a pill for treating erectile disorders in males. Generic Cialis is a very famous drug as it is the main rival to sildenafil ^(Viagra). However, tadalafil is used not only for ED but also for other diseases.

For example, Adcirca, a tadalafil-based medication is a popular medical remedy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Below we’ll tell you about the difference between Cialis and Adcirca.

What is Cialis and What does it Treat?

Cialis is a powerful medicament, which was approved by the FDA to treat ED in males (in 2003). The main feature of the drug is its long-term effect. It also starts to act very quickly, providing fast elimination of impotence symptoms in males of any age. The developer & producer of the branded version of this remedy is Eli Lilly company.

Impotence ^{(erectile dysfunction)} is the failure of a man to perform a normal sexual intercourse because of insufficient hardness of the penis.

Erectile function disorders can be caused by:

• circulatory disorders;
• hormonal problems;
• nervous diseases;
• obesity, high cholesterol levels;
• persistent psychoemotional stress;
• chronic fatigue;
• self-doubt;
• unsuccessful first sexual experience.

As you can see, ED causes can be physiological ^(organic) and psychological. This disease often leads to many psychological problems (or their worsening) and the deterioration of family relationships. Many men suffering from ED lose interest in life and give up, considering themselves inferior. This approach to solving the problem is wrong. It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor to get the right treatment with PDE5 inhibitors, such as Cialis.

In 2011, the medication was also approved for treating BPH (enlarged prostate). The symptoms of this disease include difficulties when urinating, sudden urges to urinate, frequent nighttime urination, etc. The drug may be used both in ED & BPH cases.

Principle of action & Effect

Erection during sexual arousal is mediated by NO that activates the production of cGMP in the penis tissues. cGMP leads to relaxation of muscles & improved blood flow inside penile corpuses. Cialis suppresses PDE5 that negatively affects cGMP levels. Therefore, the drug provides relaxation of blood vessels in the penile organ. As a result, a man achieves hard and stable erection. The drug’s effect lasts for 1.5 days (36 hours). It should be noted that tadalafil doesn’t act if a man isn’t sexually aroused, that is, it cannot lead to undesired erection. As for handling BPH symptoms, the drug relaxes muscles of the bladder & prostate.

Dosage and Taking

Cialis comes in the form of light-yellow or yellow pills containing 2.5, 5, 10, or 20mg of active substance (tadalafil). There are two treatment options: taking on an everyday basis and taking when needed, that is before anticipated sex. The first option implies using low dosages of the medication (2.5 or 5mg). The second one requires administration of higher doses 5 to 20mg. ED may be treated both with these two options. BPH treatment is always done on a daily basis. The drug administration doesn’t depend on food intake.

What is Adcirca and What does it Treat?

Adcirca is a tadalafil-based drug. Initially, tadalafil was used only to treat erection problems. However, scientists have found that this substance can positively affect the pressure in the pulmonary arteries. In 2008, United Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical firm, acquired from Eli Lilly the right to sell tadalafil as a medical remedy for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (or PAH).

PAH usually affects the elderly people, although there are also adults and children among the patients. Strictly speaking, in its essence, it is not a separate disease. It is a complex of specific conditions that are characterized by an increase in pressure in the pulmonary artery, while blood pressure in general may be below normal. Pulmonary hypertension can lead to blood clots, pulmonary embolism, which, in turn, can cause a sudden death of the patient. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the condition and start treatment in a timely manner.

The general symptoms of PAH include:

• shortness of breath;
• increased fatigue and weakness;
• digestive disorders;
• dizziness;
• tachycardia;
• chest pain;
• enlargement of the spleen and liver;
• swelling and bluish color of the lower extremities, and others.

Adcirca can reduce these symptoms and enhance the ability to exercise.

Principle of action & Effect

The principle of Adcirca action is similar to that of Cialis. The drug influences not only genital blood flow but also relaxes vessels in the lungs allowing for easier blood flow. This effect is achieved due to increase in content of cGMP by inhibiting PDE5 enzyme. As a result, the heart & lungs begin to work better.

According to official studies, the drug may enhance exercise ability in those suffering from PAH. After 4 months of treatment with the drug, patients improved their walking distance lasting 6 minutes by approximately 33 m ^{(108 feet)} compared to individuals who took placebo tablets.

Dosage and Taking

The recommended dosage of the medication is 40g (two pills each containing 20mg of the active agent). Dividing this dosage, that is taking 2 pills during the day, isn’t advised. If you use ritonavir, the dosage should be adjusted according to your healthcare professional’s recommendations. The effect of the medication doesn’t affected by meal consumption, so you can take Adcirca with food or without it.

The Difference between Cialis and Adcirca

The drugs contain the same active agent. However, their producers, indications for use, forms of tablets, dosages, and dosing regimens are different.

You can see the main differences between Cialis and Adcirca in the table below.