From 2017 onwards, when tadalafil, the generic equivalent of Cialis, was introduced, it swiftly emerged as one of the most frequently prescribed medications for male erectile dysfunction. Today, multiple pharmaceutical companies worldwide manufacture their own renditions of Cialis, thereby fostering market rivalry that has resulted in reduced costs and enhanced accessibility for a broader customer base.
Despite its widespread use, there are only a handful of men who seek information about the operation of Cialis or how it contrasts with the renowned medication, Viagra.
- Active ingredient: Tadalafil
- For Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in in men
- Last up to 7 times longer than Viagra
- Strength: 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg
- Stock prices: $0.70-$5.60 per tablet. Buy more and save!
- Includes free delivery
- Related drugs: generic Viagra, Kamagra, Vardenafil hcl
Branded Cialis and Generic tadalafil – is there a difference?
Both the proprietary and generic versions of Cialis incorporate the same active medicinal component, tadalafil, from which the generic drug derives its name. Medically speaking, these two versions represent the same medication with the same applications, side effects, contraindications, and potential interactions. The only disparities between generic tadalafil and brand-name Cialis lie in their appearance and cost.
What does generic Cialis do?
The way in which generic Cialis functions to mitigate the symptoms of male erectile dysfunction is fundamentally similar to the operation of Viagra, Levitra, and Stendra, as all four medications belong to the same class known as phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.
This medication aids in the production of specific chemicals that the body releases when a man is sexually excited. Concurrently, it temporarily inhibits the action of the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, which is tasked with breaking down these chemicals and restoring the penis to its normal flaccid state following the completion and climax of a sexual act. Essentially, generic Cialis assists in enhancing the otherwise inadequate blood flow to the penis, thereby facilitating a rigid and sustained erection in response to sexual arousal.
Why is generic Cialis a better alternative to other ED meds?
While the four leading erectile dysfunction drugs – Cialis, Viagra, Levitra, and Stendra – are all PDE5 inhibitors and hence, share a similar mechanism of action in combating the distressing symptoms of ED, there is one specific aspect where generic Cialis outperforms the rest – its impressively long duration of action. Contrary to other ED medications whose erectile-enhancing effect dissipates after 4 to 6 hours, tadalafil can remain in the system for up to 36 hours, providing men ample opportunity for numerous successful endeavors to engage in sexual activity with their partners.
However, the unparalleled duration of action of both generic and branded Cialis isn’t the sole advantage this medication holds over other ED drugs. Tadalafil is currently the only PDE5 inhibitor that is safe and effective for daily use, enabling men to have spontaneous sexual encounters. Smaller daily doses of generic Cialis can assist men in achieving a robust erection within mere minutes, as opposed to the typical 60-120 minutes it takes for the drug to take effect when used on an as-needed basis.
Important notes:
- Neither Cialis nor any other ED medications in its class can cure erectile dysfunction in men. They can merely assist in temporarily alleviating the symptoms of the condition.
- Cialis cannot independently facilitate an erection unless the man is sexually aroused, which can be accomplished through erotic stimulation.
- The proclaimed 36-hour action period of Cialis does not imply that the man will sustain a physical erection of the penis for this entire duration. Indeed, if the penis remains erect for more than 4 hours and results in pain, it is a significant cause to promptly seek medical attention.
How to take Cialis for erectile dysfunction?
There are two approved methods for taking generic Cialis from a Canadian pharmacy when addressing the symptoms of ED – daily use or consumption of the drug on an as-needed basis. Depending on the man’s sexual activity frequency and his overall tolerance to the medication, the prescribing doctor will recommend one of the two approaches.
If Cialis is used on an as-needed basis, the suggested safe dosage is 10mg, taken orally 60-120 minutes before expected sexual activity. Depending on the patient’s initial response to the treatment, the physician may decide to increase the dosage to 20mg or decrease it to 5mg to optimize the therapeutic effect.
As a daily treatment option, Cialis is taken in smaller doses – 2.5mg or 5mg – to prevent potential side effects and health complications that may result from the gradual build-up of tadalafil in the body. If taken around the same time every day, the medication will enable the man to engage in sexual activity whenever he chooses – no preparation or waiting necessary.
In all instances, neither generic nor branded Cialis should be taken more than once every 24 hours to avoid adverse reactions. Also, it is not safe to combine Cialis with alcohol or grapefruit juice, as such mixtures can dangerously lower the man’s blood pressure.
Consuming Cialis with food is permissible; however, a meal that is excessively fatty is likely to delay the desired effect of the drug or significantly reduce its medicinal potency.
What are the side effects?
As with all pharmaceutical products, there can be side effects associated with taking generic Cialis. Tadalafil shares some common side effects with other ED medications, such as Viagra and Levitra. These are usually not harmful and tend to dissipate on their own.
The most commonly reported side effects of Cialis include:
- headaches
- facial redness
- nasal congestion (occasionally, runny nose)
- indigestion
- mild instances of dizziness and nausea
- backache
- muscle pain
What are the contraindications for taking generic Cialis?
While Cialis – both generic and branded – is effective in 80% of patients, not every man diagnosed with ED can safely use the drug. Tadalafil is generally not recommended for the following categories of patients:
- patients allergic to tadalafil or any of the other ingredients found in Cialis;
- patients taking nitrate-based medications (drugs like nitroglycerin, when combined with tadalafil, may cause a severe drop in blood
- pressure and can even be fatal);
- patients with serious heart conditions or those who have recently suffered a heart attack;
- patients who have experienced a stroke within the past six to twelve months;
- patients suffering from hypotension or uncontrolled hypertension;
- patients diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) or other severe vision problems;
- patients with liver or kidney issues;
- patients diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
- men with penile deformities.
Unsafe drug interactions
In addition to nitrates, there are other medicinal substances that may interact negatively with Cialis, including riociguat, alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, ketoconazole, itraconazole, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, rifampicin, and clarithromycin.
This is not an exhaustive list. A consultation with a healthcare professional is necessary before combining tadalafil with other medicinal products.
Precautions
Begin with smaller dosages. All new patients should initiate their ED treatment by taking the lowest effective dosage of Cialis to evade any potentially fatal complications that could arise from undiagnosed heart conditions, hypotension, allergies, etc. In the absence of bothersome or dangerous side effects, the doctor may gradually increase the initial tadalafil dosage if they believe the patient will benefit from it.
Communicate all side effects to the doctor. Keeping your doctor informed about any side effects experienced while taking Cialis is crucial. This will aid the medical professional in accurately adjusting the drug’s dosage and ensuring the patient achieves the maximum therapeutic benefit.
Avoid self-prescribing generic Cialis or other medications. Self-prescribing medications can be hazardous, as there are many potential side effects and contraindications to a drug that a patient may be unaware of. Always have your ED diagnosed by a professional healthcare provider before purchasing Cialis.
Exercise caution when shopping online. ED medications, including generic Cialis, are sometimes available online without a doctor’s prescription. Fortunately, the majority of online pharmacies in the USA and Canada operate legally and sell properly vetted drugs. However, some unscrupulous businesses may try to deceive patients into buying counterfeit medications with unproven efficacy at best. To avoid this, always have your ED drugs prescribed by a licensed doctor and purchase Cialis only from trusted and reputable pharmacies.