{"id":2444,"date":"2012-12-20T11:12:02","date_gmt":"2012-12-20T11:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doctorfox.co.uk\/news\/?p=2444"},"modified":"2025-11-27T09:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T09:06:45","slug":"viagra-vs-cialis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doctorfox.co.uk\/news\/viagra-vs-cialis\/","title":{"rendered":"Viagra vs Cialis – what’s the difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated 27 November 2025<\/small><\/p>

\"Viagra<\/p>\n

Viagra<\/a> was the drug that changed the world<\/a> in 1998 and revolutionised treatment for men with\u00a0erectile dysfunction (ED).\u00a0Cialis<\/a> was the second ED drug brought to market and earned the nickname The Weekend Pill<\/em> as it’s duration of action is 36 hours\u00a0(Viagra lasts for 4 hours). Other tablets to treat ED are Levitra<\/a> and Spedra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Viagra has been\u00a0‘off patent’ since 2013 which means\u00a0legal copies of the drug can now be sold in the UK as generics called sildenafil<\/em><\/a>, and there are now many brands of sildenafil<\/a> available.\u00a0The patent for Cialis expired November 2017 and lower cost generic Tadalafil<\/a> is also now available.<\/p>\n

Both treatments are available on prescription only following an erectile dysfunction consultation.<\/p>\n

Start consultation \u00a0<\/span><\/a>
\"Regulated<\/a>\"Trusted<\/a><\/div>\n

Compare Viagra and Cialis<\/h2>\n

Studies suggest<\/a> patients and their partners have a preference for tadalafil (Cialis) over sildenafil (Viagra) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.<\/p>\n

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Viagra and Cialis comparison data<\/caption>\n
\u00a0<\/th>\nViagra<\/th>\nCialis<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Chemical name<\/th>\nSildenafil<\/td>\nTadalafil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Starting dose<\/th>\n50mg<\/td>\n10mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Low dose<\/th>\n25mg<\/td>\n2.5mg\u20135mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum dose<\/th>\n100mg<\/td>\n20mg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onset time<\/th>\n40 minutes<\/td>\n30 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration of action<\/th>\n4 hours<\/td>\n36 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Common side effects<\/th>\nHeadache, palpitation, indigestion, dizziness, congestion, flushing, blurred vision<\/td>\nHeadache, muscle pain, indigestion, congestion, flushing, dizziness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cautions and interactions<\/th>\nAny nitrate-based medication, low blood pressure, retinitis pigmentosa, recent myocardial infarction, angina<\/td>\nAny nitrate-based medication, low blood pressure, recent myocardial infarction, angina<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Patient leaflet<\/th>\nView PDF<\/a><\/td>\nView PDF<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UK patent<\/th>\nExpired June 2013<\/a><\/td>\nExpires November 2017<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Branded price<\/th>\nFrom \u00a35.13 per tablet<\/td>\nFrom \u00a32.29 per tablet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Generic price<\/th>\nFrom 50p per tablet<\/td>\nFrom 40p per tablet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Available on NHS<\/th>\nYes as generic sildenafil<\/a> (usually 4 tablets per month)<\/td>\nNot usually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
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Video: Viagra vs Cialis expert guide<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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