Which is Better – Viagra or Cialis?

When eating oysters and getting sensual massages don’t work, it may be time to consider medical treatments for ED – erectile dysfunction.  In the past, the only choices men had were to either give up on sex or endure unpleasant treatments like penile implants or urethra injections.  Now, the first line treatment for ED is Viagra.

The realm of ED treatment got shaken up drastically though once Cialis hit the market.  Many men were taken in by the promises of Cialis to give results of up to 36 hours.  Compared to Viagra’s short effectiveness time of about 8 hours, Cialis seems like a wonder drug.  So, why are doctors and patients still preferring Viagra over Cialis?

Obviously, there are some situations in which you would not want long-lasting results from an ED treatment.  Even though Cialis is reported to last up to 36 hours, the effects can go on for up to 100 hours in some men.  Note that this does not mean you will have an erection for 3+ days!  It means that you will be able to get better erections during the period of effectiveness.

What the fine print of Cialis does not tell you is that erection quality diminishes with each hour after taking the ED pill.  So, you may be able to get an erection from Cialis after 36 hours but it may not be firm enough to have intercourse. You will then need to take another tablet of Cialis. There are some issues as to whether it is safe to take another large dosage (5 or more mg) of Cialis when the drug is still acting in the body.  This can lead to an increased occurrence of side effects.

While Cialis prevails over Viagra in terms of duration, most men do find that the 8+ hours of quality erections which are achieved by Viagra is more than adequate.  Since the medicine is quickly removed from the user’s body, it is safe to take another dose within 24 hours of the first dosage.  In clinical studies, almost all users reported the best quality of erection with Viagra.  The erections produced from Viagra were firmer and more rigid than those produced by Cialis.

None of the ED pills come close to Viagra in terms of safety.  By 2005 alone (Viagra was introduced in 1998), Viagra had been used by well over 23 million men.  Viagra has also undergone thousands of pre and post-marketing clinical studies for safety.  Cialis is also considered completely safe for almost all men.  Both of the drugs share the same precautions and warnings.  However, studies have shown that Cialis has a larger impact on the body’s PDE11 enzyme system.  It is currently unknown what, if any, negative results could occur from this impact.  PDE11 enzymes are linked to many different body functions, especially fertility.

If you are already using Viagra successfully, then it is best to continue on with your current treatment.  For men who are just now looking into ED treatments, it is best to talk to your doctor about whether Viagra or Cialis is better for your lifestyle.