When a man is unable to achieve and maintain their erection, it’s standard procedure for many to look into prescription pills to give them a much-needed boost in their sexual performance.
One common type of erectile dysfunction pill many men look for on pharmaceutical shelves is Cialis. Just like other phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibiting drugs, Cialis is a drug that’s designed to treat erectile dysfunction.
That said, it’s common for people to hear Cialis and another medication being used interchangeably, that being Tadalafil.
The question then is: Are they the same medication or do they hold distinct differences?
The truth is generic Cialis and tadalafil are essentially one and the same in terms of potency. The main difference is that Cialis is the brand name given to the drug by its original manufacturer, whereas tadalafil is the generic version of the drug.
Let’s explore the differences between Tadalafil and Cialis in more depth, as well as better ways you can treat erectile dysfunction.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Before diving into ED pills, it’s important to understand the underlying condition that it aims to treat.
Erectile dysfunction is a prevalent male sexual dysfunction that’s marked by a persistent inability to keep or sustain an erection. It affects hundreds of millions of men worldwide, and it can make engaging in penetrative sex difficult to borderline impossible.
It’s caused by a variety of factors, many of which are physiological and psychological in nature. Fortunately, it also can be treated—with one particularly notable form of treatment being ED medication like Cialis.
What is Cialis?
Cialis is an oral medication that contains tadalafil, which is the same active ingredient used for treating erectile dysfunction. It’s also used to treat other health conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Cialis takes about 30 minutes to act and has an active half-life of 17.5 hours. This makes it one of the longer-lasting ED medications out there, outlasting the half-life of sildenafil and vardenafil that range at just 4 to 5 hours. It’s also called “The Weekend Pill” due to its longer-lasting effects.
Just like Viagra and Levitra, Cialis works by inhibiting the degradative action of the phosphodiesterase type 5 on the smooth muscle cells lining the erectile tissues. This helps dilate the passage of blood vessels in the penis, making it easier for men to achieve and sustain erections.
Sexual stimulation is a necessary prerequisite for Cialis to work effectively.
Differentiating Tadalafil with Cialis
Tadalafil is a generic drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. It became a generic drug in 2018 when the patent protection of the brand name Cialis expired.
As a generic version, Tadalafil contains the same active ingredient as Cialis. But as with other generic medications, it’s available at a much lower cost than its branded counterpart.
Generic tadalafil has the same mode of action as Cialis. It increases blood flow to the penis by inhibiting PDE5 degradative action, aiding in achieving and maintaining an erection.
As a generic drug, it may be produced by various manufacturers, leading to potentially different branding and pricing compared to generic drugs under the branded Cialis.
To make it clear, the only difference between Tadalafil and Cialis is that the latter is branded and manufactured by the original manufacturer of the pill.
Tadalafil, as in the active ingredient responsible for facilitating erections, is present in both Cialis and other generic ED drugs using tadalafil.
Is Cialis Effective?
Cialis is one effective erectile dysfunction treatment method, with one study noting positive outcomes in participants who have taken 5 mg of Cialis daily for six months.
However, it’s important to note that the medication seeks to treat the symptoms of ED and not the underlying root causes of the problem.
These outcomes indicate that Cialis, when taken as prescribed, can be a huge help for patients with erectile problems.
When contrasted against generic Viagra, Cialis is particularly noted for its long-lasting effects, lasting up to 36 hours, providing a wider window of opportunity for sexual activity compared to other ED medications.
That said, this prescription drug needs to be taken appropriately and under a prescription plan. Cialis and other tadalafil-based drugs are not considered as over-the-counter drugs.
Does Cialis Come with Side Effects?
Just like other ED drugs, Cialis can come with side effects. This applies to both branded Cialis and generic medicines that contain tadalafil.
Here are the most commonly reported side effects among men who have taken this form of ED treatment:
- Headaches
- Dyspepsia
- Flushing
- Back pain
- Nasal congestion
- Myalgia
- Low blood pressure
- Flushing
Many of these side effects tend to go away on their own, especially when traces of Cialis are eliminated from the body.
That said, if you’re experiencing long-term and moderate to severe side effects, talk with your doctor to switch to other forms of ED treatments or popular ED medications.
Some medications also pose a health risk when taken with certain ED pills, so talk with your doctor to avoid any possible drug interactions.
How to Treat Erectile Dysfunction: Alternative Ways
Taking ED pills and generic versions of it isn’t the only way to go about treating ED. There are several clinical treatments patients can undergo to restore their erectile function.
These include the following:
- ED therapy: Doctors may prescribe patients topical gels, creams, and injections to restore erectile function.
- RestoreWave therapy: Doctors will use a probe-like device to break plaque in the penis using non-invasive, sound wave technology.
- Penis pumps: A vacuum-like device and band will facilitate an erection.
- Surgery: More severe cases will need plication surgery to fix the penis size and erection quality.
- Sex therapy: People with psychological issues affecting their erections may benefit from sex therapy to address their root mental concerns.
Consult ED Treatment That Works Long-Term at Tampa, Florida’s Top Male Medical Facility
Tadalafil is a generic form of Cialis, and both of them help in treating erectile dysfunction. They’re the longest-acting ED pill among the one’s available in the market, making them highly effective.
Want to treat your ED and achieve a happy sex life for good? Contact the medical team at Prestige Men’s Medical Center today to learn about your options including ED treatment, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, testosterone treatment and more.
Schedule a consultation with us to overcome sexual health problems like ED to have a more satisfying sex life today. Your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
