Tadalafil and Cialis are both Erectile Dysfunction medicines.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotence is the inability of men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB) to get and maintain an erection.
Tadalafil and Cialis work by increasing blood circulation in the penis, which helps to cause an erection.
However, the question here is, are they the same?
In this article on Tadalafil vs Cialis, we will answer whether these medicines are the same or not.
Are Tadalafil and Cialis the same thing
When we see from a medicinal perspective, Cialis and Tadalafil are the same thing.
The active ingredient in both medicines is Tadalafil. This means they have the same working, effectiveness, and safety profile.
The only distinction is that Cialis is a brand-name medicine, whereas, Tadalafil is a generic medicine.
Tadalafil is also known as the generic version of Cialis or Generic Cialis.
Generic medicines are named after their active ingredient to ensure clarity, transparency, identification and understanding of the drug’s composition.
Cialis
Cialis was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 for Erectile Dysfunction.
It is manufactured and marketed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
Cialis also got the FDA approval for treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in 2011. BPH is a condition with an enlarged prostate that causes difficulty in urinating.
As per Healthline, since 2018, generic versions of Cialis (Tadalafil) have been available on the market.
Tadalafil (Generic Cialis)
Generic medications enter the market once the patents on brand-name drugs expire.
When Cialis went generic in 2018, various pharma companies got FDA approval for manufacturing Tadalafil. Some of them are:
- Accord Healthcare
- Sun Pharmaceuticals
- Zydus Pharmaceuticals
- Lupin
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Ajanta Pharma
- Cipla
- Torrent Pharmaceuticals
- Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories
Be it a generic, or a brand-name medicine, both hit the market only after the rigorous testing done by the FDA.
This ensures Tadalafil (generic) and Cialis (branded) have the same effectiveness and safety.
Generic medicines are available under different names.
For instance, Tadalafil (generic version) is sold under various names like Tadarise, Tada, Vidalista, etc.
Shop Cialis and its Generic Versions (Tadalafil) at Cheap Medicine Shop:
Similarities in Tadalafil and Cialis
Tadalafil and Cialis are the same thing, due to which there are various similarities between the two.
These include the same active ingredient, effectiveness, side effects, and interactions.
Active Ingredient
As mentioned, both Tadalafil and Cialis contain the same active ingredient, which is Tadalafil itself.
It belongs to a group of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that work by blocking the action of the PDE5 enzyme.
This action improves blood flow to the penis. Thus, helping men to get an erection.
Efficacy
Tadalafil’s effectiveness in improving erectile function is consistent, whether it is in the form of generic Tadalafil or the brand-name Cialis.
This means that both versions produce the same desired results.
Side effects
The potential side effects of Tadalafil and Cialis are the same since they contain the same active ingredient.
Common side effects include headaches, indigestion, back pain, muscle pain, etc.
In rare cases, they have the potential to cause Priapism, which is a painful erection lasting for more than four hours.
Interactions
Cialis and its generic versions have the potential to interact with other medicines, medical conditions, and food.
They share the same interaction profile with Nitrates, Alpha-blockers, grapefruit juice, liver or kidney problems, etc.
Differences: Tadalafil vs Cialis
Although Tadalafil and Cialis are very similar, they differ in their branding, appearance, dosage, and cost.
Here is the breakdown of all the differences between the two medications.
Variety of manufacturers
Cialis is a brand-name medicine, which is manufactured and marketed by Eli Lilly.
In contrast, Tadalafil is a generic medicine produced by various pharmaceutical companies besides Eli Lilly. This results in multiple options for consumers.
Price
Cialis starts from $12 per pill, whereas Tadalafil’s price is as low as $0.60 per tablet.
These prices can vary based on the dosage and insurance coverage.
It is clear that generic medications are more affordable than brand-name drugs.
This is because generic manufacturers do not have the same research and development costs or marketing expenses as the original drug manufacturer.
Additionally, various manufacturers mean high competition, which can further lead to lower prices.
Various online pharmacies have started selling ED medicines. To gain insights into the safety of buying ED pills online, consider reading this article– “Is it safe to buy Cialis online“.
Appearance
Cialis tablets have a distinctive appearance.
It is a yellowish, almond, film-coated tablet, which is imprinted with the dosage strength.
Conversely, the appearance of Tadalafil tablets can vary depending on the manufacturer.
Dosage
The FDA has approved only four Cialis dosages, i.e. 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg.
However, generic versions of Cialis (Tadalafil) offer strengths beyond 20mg.
Doctors may prescribe higher doses in cases of severe Erectile Dysfunction.
Cialis vs Tadalafil: A comparison
Due to many similarities, the only difference one can make between Tadalafil and Cialis is in their price.
Cialis, the actual brand, has a higher price chart than generic Tadalafil medicines.
You may go through the following table to know the difference between Cialis and generic Tadalafil.
Characteristic | Tadalafil | Cialis |
---|---|---|
Active Ingredient | Tadalafil | Tadalafil |
Brand vs. Generic | Available as generic | Brand-name medication |
Pricing | Affordable | Expensive |
Manufacturer | Multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers | Eli Lilly |
Appearance | Varies by manufacturer | Consistently branded appearance (Yellow, almond-shaped tablet) |
Effectiveness | Equally effective | Equally effective |
Safety and Side Effects | Comparable safety profile | Comparable safety profile |
Onset of action | 30 minutes to 2 hours | 30 minutes to 2 hours |
Duration of action | 36 hours | 36 hours |
Unit price | Around $0.60 | Around $12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tadalafil as good as Cialis?
Yes, generic Tadalafil medications and Cialis work the same medically. They both have the same salt Tadalafil.
Both medicines start working within 30 minutes and last up to 36 hours in the system.
Therefore, Tadalafil is as good as Cialis.
How long does Tadalafil last?
Tadalafil’s half-life is 17.5 hours and is known to last for 36 hours in the system. However, this depends on the health of an individual.
Is Tadalafil cheaper than Cialis?
Generic Tadalafil medicines are cheaper than Cialis. Cialis 10 mg might cost you around $23, whereas generic 10 mg Tadalafil medicines might cost you around $0.70.
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