Sildenafil (brand name Viagra) and tadalafil (brand name Cialis) are two common erectile dysfunction (ED) medications. They typically come in tablet or oral strip form. Both these medications are PDE5 inhibitors and work by increasing blood flow to help achieve and maintain an erection. These medications do not increase sexual desire and require sexual stimulation to be effective.
Choosing the right treatment is important. Some key differences between the available options include:
- Onset of action
- Duration of effect
- Dosing options
- Cost
These factors help you and your healthcare practitioner decide which treatment best fits your needs.
The table below summarizes the differences between the different medications available:
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| Tadalafil | Cialis | Tadalafil Oral Strips | Sildenafil | Viagra | Viagra Oral Strips | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tadalafil | Tadalafil | Tadalafil | Sildenafil | Sildenafil | Sildenafil |
| Onset of action | ~30-60 minutes | ~30-60 minutes | ~15-30 minutes | ~30-60 minutes | ~30-60 minutes | ~15-30 minutes |
| Duration of effect | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Common tablet doses | 2.5-20mg | 2.5-20mg | 20mg | 25-100mg | 50-100mg | 50mg |
| Daily dosing option | Yes (2.5mg-5mg daily) | Yes (2.5mg-5mg daily) | No | No | No | No |
| As-needed dosing | 10-20mg | 10-20mg | 20mg | 50-100mg | 50-100mg | 50-100mg |
| How it’s taken | Swallowed with water | Swallowed with water | Dissolves on tongue | Swallowed with water | Swallowed with water | Dissolves on tongue |
| Food restrictions | None | None | None | Best on an empty stomach | Best on an empty stomach | Best on an empty stomach |
Felix also offers ED treatment starter bundles so that you try different options to determine what works best for you, whether you prefer daily use or as-needed.
- ED Daily Combo Pack: sildenafil 25mg, sildenafil 50mg, tadalafil 5mg x 5, tadalafil oral strip
- ED As-Needed Combo Pack: sildenafil 25mg, sildenafil 50mg, tadalafil 10mg, tadalafil oral stirp
Pricing
Cost of Viagra:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 50mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $42 |
| 100mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $44 |
Cost of sildenafil:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $40 |
| 50mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $42 |
| 100mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $44 |
Cost of Viagra oral strips:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 25mg | 1 oral strip | Starts at $12 |
Cost of Cialis:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5mg | 28 tablets | Starts at $177 |
| 5mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $25 |
| 10mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $82 |
| 20mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $85 |
Cost of tadalafil:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5mg | 28 tablets | Starts at $122 |
| 5mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $17 |
| 10mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $57 |
| 20mg | 4 tablets | Starts at $59 |
Cost of tadalafil oral strips:
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| Dosage | Quantity | Potential cost* |
|---|---|---|
| 20mg | 1 strip | Starts at $14 |
*Prices shown do not reflect provincial or private insurance coverage and may vary by province and pharmacy.
