Men who have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) may feel frustrated, confused, or embarrassed by their condition, but fortunately there are many treatment options at their disposal. Oral ED drugs have proven themselves to be a successful choice for many men, but then the question arises, which drug to choose? In this article, we compare Cialis and Stendra for ED treatment.
Regardless of which oral ED medication you choose, all of the options currently on the market belong to the same drug class: phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which block an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). Thus Cialis (tadalafil), as well as the other ED drugs (Viagra [sildenafil], Levitra and Staxyn [vardenafil], and Stendra [avanafil]) work in a similar way. However, there are some important differences that you should be aware of so you can make an informed choice.
What you should know about Cialis for ED treatment
One thing that separates Cialis from Stendra and the other ED drugs is that men can expect to be ready for sex for up to 36 hours after taking the pill. This is about six times longer than the closest competitor (Stendra). The effects typically are available within 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion, although there have been reports that it can work within 15 minutes. Cialis can be taken with or without food and should have no effect on its response.
Side effects of Cialis can include headache and indigestion. Less often men will experience back pain, dizziness, facial flushing, muscle aches, and nasal congestion.
What you should know about Stendra for ED treatment
When Stendra was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for ED treatment in 2014, it was the first ED drug to be okayed in more than a decade. One thing that sets Stendra apart from Cialis and other ED drugs is that it begins to work within as little as 15 minutes of ingestion. Studies show that some men who take Stendra can achieve successful erections for more than six hours after taking the pill.
Side effects of Stendra
The most common side effects associated with the use of Stendra are flushing, headache, nasal congestion, and runny nose. Symptoms such as back pain, diarrhea, dizziness, hypertension, influenza, muscle aches, and upper respiratory infections are less common.
What are rare side effects of Cialis and Stendra?
All of the ED drugs, including Cialis and Stendra, may cause sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears, and color vision changes. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. These drugs also may cause a four-hour erection (priapism), which is a medical emergency.
Who should not take Cialis or Stendra?
Men who have any of the following health or medical conditions should talk to a knowledgeable health practitioner before starting Cialis or Stendra. Any use of medications or supplements also should be reported to the doctor.
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as stroke, heart attack, angina, low or high blood pressure, or other heart problems.
- Heart surgery within the last 6 months
- Priapism
- Blood disease, such as leukemia, sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma
- Bleeding problems
- Severe vision loss
- Kidney or liver problems
- Stomach ulcers
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Any other medical problems
Read more in our Erectile Dysfunction Health Center.