Erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate, are medical conditions that commonly affect men, particularly as they age.
While the conditions can be frustrating and embarrassing, they are also treatable with prescription medication.
The first Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription ED medication for erectile dysfunction, brand name Viagra, was approved in 1998 and revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men.
Since then, Cialis, another type of erectile dysfunction medication, has also entered the market. Tadalafil, the generic version of Cialis, and sildenafil, the generic version of Pfizer’s Viagra, offer the same treatment as the name brand drugs for considerably less, but when it comes to tadalafil vs. sildenafil, which is better?
Conditions Treated
Both tadalafil and sildenafil are used to treat erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate, in adult men over the age of 18.
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, also known as male impotence or ED, is a medical condition that makes it difficult for men to get or keep an erection due to limited blood flow or low blood pressure to the penis.
As a result, men suffering from erectile dysfunction experience decreased sexual stimulation and may have a difficult time engaging in sexual activity or achieving orgasm.
Erectile dysfunction is a complex condition that can be caused by a combination of physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors, which has made it historically difficult to treat.
The five physical conditions most likely to cause erectile dysfunction are atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Living an unhealthy lifestyle can also contribute to erectile dysfunction, as smoking, illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, common side effects of other prescription medications, and side effects of over-the-counter medications are the five lifestyle factors most likely to influence erectile dysfunction.
Psychological factors, including anxiety, depression, and stress, can also contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of a serious health issue and should be discussed with your doctor for medical advice.
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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, is a medical condition that commonly affects men as they age, particularly after the age of 50.
The condition can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms because the flow or urine from the bladder is blocked.
As a result, men suffering from the condition commonly experience symptoms that include a frequent or urgent need to urinate, a weak urine stream, a urine stream that stops and starts, increased frequency of urination at night, difficulty urinating, and inability to completely empty the bladder.
If left untreated, bladder, urinary tract, and kidney problems may also occur.
How it Works
Tadalafil and sildenafil both belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (also known as PDE-5 inhibitors).
During the first stage of an erection, the body releases a chemical called cGMP, which directs the tissues and smooth muscles of the penis to relax, allowing more blood to enter the penis.
Blood gets trapped inside the penis when it is relaxed, which causes an erection.
Eventually, a chemical called PDE-5 begins to breakdown the cGMP, causing the trapped blood to flow out of the penis and ending the erection as blood flow returns to normal.
However, men with erectile dysfunction may have their erections end prematurely or may not be able to start them at all.
Tadalafil and sildenafil inhibit the action of PDE-5, which prevents the body from breaking down cGMP prematurely.
As a result, the tissues in the penis stay relaxed and filled with blood, which make an erection last longer.
It’s important to note that tadalafil and sildenafil only work when an individual is sexually aroused, so you don’t have to worry about experiencing an erection when you don’t want one.
Dosing
Tadalafil
Tadalafil is manufactured in doses of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg.
Most men start at a dose of 10 mg for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, but your doctor will prescribe the right dose for you based on the severity of the condition being treated, your age, medical history, and other factors.
Tadalafil can be taken either on an as-needed basis or daily.
When taken daily, most men take a dose of either 2.5 mg or 5 mg. Men who take tadalafil on an as-needed basis typically take a dose of 10 mg or 20 mg.
The maximum dosage of tadalafil is 40 mg.
Sildenafil
Sildenafil citrate is offered in doses of 20 mg, with the maximum dose per day being 100 mg.
Most men start treatment for erectile dysfunction at a dose of 50 mg, but your doctor may prescribe you more or less of the medication based on your age, weight, specific medical history, and the severity of your condition.
It is common for patients to try a lower starting dose and increase to a higher dose later.
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Use and Effectiveness
Both tadalafil and sildenafil are considered effective medications that can help many men improve their sexual dysfunction symptoms.
However, which product is more effective for you personally will vary depending on your individual needs and symptoms.
Tadalafil has the longest-lasting duration of action among erectile dysfunction medications (including among the other two common ED drugs vardenafil and avanafil) and can stay in your system for up to 36 hours, providing lots of time for spontaneous sex.
Additionally, tadalafil can be taken every day at a low dose, which works well for some men.
However, those with prescription medications that may result in active ingredient drug interactions with tadalafil may not be able to take the medication because of how long it lasts.
By contrast, sildenafil is taken 30 to 60 minutes before sex and can last for up to four hours, making it more suitable for men who take medications that would interfere with the drug if it remained in the bloodstream.
Although sildenafil can be taken once every 24 hours, most men use it on an as-needed basis and do not take the drug daily.
Risks
Tadalafil and sildenafil are both considered safe medications when taken by people with the appropriate medical history, but they are not appropriate for all individuals, which is why consulting with a healthcare provider prior to starting either drug is crucial.
People with the following medical conditions should not take tadalafil:
- Heart rhythm problems, angina, or any kind of heart disease
- Sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, hemophilia, leukemia, or another blood disorder
- Liver or kidney disease
- Stomach ulcer
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- High or low blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure or stroke within the last six months, or myocardial infarction within the last three months
- Structural deformity of the penis, such as Peyronie’s disease
- Any health condition for which they have been advised not to have sexual intercourse
Likewise, some groups of people are not considered good candidates for sildenafil.
For example, patients taking medications called nitrates such as nitric oxide and nitroglycerin, which are typically used to treat chest pain, or guanylate cyclase stimulators such as Adempas (riociguat), which are typically used to treat pulmonary hypertension, are considered at risk of experiencing an unsafe drop in blood pressure when taking sildenafil and should not take the medication.
Some patients are also allergic to sildenafil and should not use the drug.
Patients with a previous history of heart problems or who are at risk of heart issues should use caution when taking sildenafil, as rare but serious side effects such as heart attack, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and death have occurred in men taking sildenafil.
Side Effects
Most of the side effects caused by tadalafil and sildenafil are quite similar, except that sildenafil is more likely to cause heart-related side effects, such as heart attack, stroke, and irregular heartbeat, than tadalafil.
For that reason, men with an existing history of heart problems may not be able to take sildenafil safely.
Tadalafil
Like any medication, there are side effects associated with the use of tadalafil. Common side effects of tadalafil are:
- Indigestion
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Nasal congestion or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Back pain
- Pain in the limbs
- Muscle aches
- Upset stomach
- Flushing (feeling of warmth)
Medical attention should be sought immediately if any of the following side effects of tadalafil occur while engaged in sexual activity:
- Dizziness
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in the jaw, arms, chest, or neck
- Nausea
Other rarely reported, but serious, side effects of tadalafil requiring immediate medical attention include:
- Priapism – erections lasting longer than four hours
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, which is a symptom of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden hearing decrease, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears
Sildenafil
The side effects most commonly associated with sildenafil are similar to those of tadalafil and include:
- Nosebleeds
- Muscle aches
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Flushing (feeling of warmth)
Other rarely reported, but serious, side effects of sildenafil requiring immediate medical attention include:
- Priapism – erections lasting longer than four hours
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, which is a symptom of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Sudden hearing decrease, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Irregular heartbeat
- Itching or burning during urination
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Rash
- Bleeding in the brain or lungs
- High blood pressure
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Worsening shortness of breath
- Death
Summary
Tadalafil and sildenafil are both effective treatments for erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia and can greatly improve the quality of life for many men.
Tadalafil is better for men who may have heart issues, who do not take prescription medications that interfere with the drug, and who want to have spontaneous sex, while sildenafil is better suited for men who do not have problems, take prescription drugs that could interfere with the medication, and prefer to use the drug as needed.
References, Studies and Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/cialis-levitra-viagra
https://www.medicinenet.com/cialis_vs_viagra/article.htm
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/info-12-2013/sex-erection-viagra-castleman.html
Owner, entrepreneur, and health enthusiast.
Chris is one of the Co-Founders of Pharmacists.org. An entrepreneur at heart, Chris has been building and writing in consumer health for over 10 years. In addition to Pharmacists.org, Chris and his Acme Health LLC Brand Team own and operate Diabetic.org and the USA Rx Pharmacy Discount Card powered by Pharmacists.org.
Chris has a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation and is a proud member of the American Medical Writer’s Association (AMWA), the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP), the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), the Council of Science Editors, the Author’s Guild, and the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA).
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