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Key Takeaways
Tadalafil, brand name Cialis, can last up to 36 hours and can be taken daily or as-needed.
Sildenafil, brand name Viagra, lasts 4-6 hours and is best taken on an empty stomach.
Oral strips dissolve quickly and have a faster onset. It can be more convenient or discreet compared to oral tablets.
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:
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