Table of Contents

I. Viagra

II. Levitra

III. Cialis

IV. FAQ: When Does Cialis for Daily Use Make More Sense Than Other ED Drugs?

When erectile dysfunction drugs first became available, they gave men new options for managing ED. Today, several treatments are available, including Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and Cialis for daily use. While these medications work in similar ways, they differ in how they are taken, how quickly they work, and how long their effects last. This article compares Cialis for daily use with other erectile dysfunction drugs to help explain where each option may fit.

Viagra

The original erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra was approved by the FDA in 1998. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, was originally studied as a treatment for high blood pressure and angina. But researchers found that it had little effect on angina and could produce erections, leading Pfizer to develop it as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. [1]

• Viagra is taken as needed, usually about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
• Viagra can be taken with or without food, but a high-fat meal may cause it to take longer to work.
• Viagra can be taken between 30 minutes and 4 hours before sexual activity and should not be taken more than once per day. [2]

If you are in the market for Viagra, you can order it safely right to your door from a Canadian pharmacy. The price of generic Viagra in Canada is a fraction of the same drug in the United States. You can order your prescription online through Canada Drug Warehouse today.

Levitra

Levitra, also known by its generic name vardenafil, is another phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. Like Viagra, it is taken as needed before sexual activity. [3]

• A dose of Levitra is typically taken 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
• Levitra can be taken with or without food, but a high-fat meal may delay absorption by about one hour.
• Sexual activity can be initiated as soon as 15 minutes and as long as 8 to 10 hours after taking Levitra. The drug should not be taken more than once per day.
• Levitra may also work for some men who have not responded to sildenafil. In clinical trials, some patients with a history of unsuccessful sildenafil treatment had greater improvements in erectile function with vardenafil. [3]

One drawback of as-needed erectile dysfunction drugs is that they still require some planning before sexual activity. Viagra is generally taken 30 to 60 minutes beforehand, [2] while Levitra is taken 25 to 60 minutes beforehand. [3] Cialis offers another option for men who want more spontaneity, including a low-dose version that can be taken every day. [4]

Cialis

Cialis, also known by its generic name tadalafil, is another phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. Unlike Viagra and Levitra, Cialis offers a longer period of responsiveness, giving couples more flexibility around sexual activity. [4]

• Cialis can begin working within about 30 minutes of taking the tablet.
• Cialis can remain effective for up to 36 hours after a dose.
• The longer half-life of tadalafil helps provide this extended period of responsiveness.
• In addition to erectile dysfunction, tadalafil is also used to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. [4]

What About Cialis for Daily Use?

Cialis for daily use offers another option for men who don’t want to plan sexual activity around taking a pill. Unlike on-demand Cialis, the daily version is taken every day at approximately the same time, regardless of when sexual activity is expected. [4]

• As-needed Cialis is available in 10 or 20 mg doses for use before anticipated sexual activity. For daily use, the recommended dose for erectile dysfunction is 5 mg, which may be reduced to 2.5 mg based on individual tolerability.
• Instead of taking a dose before sex, daily Cialis maintains tadalafil levels with regular use. Steady-state levels are reached within about five days of once-daily dosing. [4]

For more information about daily and as-needed dosing, including when to take each option, read our guide How to Get the Maximum Effect from Cialis. 

Who Is Daily Cialis For?

Men who are less frequently sexually active may find daily Cialis unnecessary, since the as-needed version already provides a window of responsiveness of up to 36 hours. But for men who have sex two or more times a week or who want more spontaneity, a daily pill may be a more convenient option because tadalafil remains in the bloodstream between doses. [5]

For men who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction may be a complication after surgery. Penile rehabilitation is often used to help preserve or restore erectile function, and PDE5 inhibitors such as tadalafil may be included as a first-line treatment. [6]

What About Costs?

Cost can be an important consideration for men thinking about Cialis for daily use. Because the medication is taken every day, what you pay can depend heavily on your insurance coverage and the price charged by your pharmacy. Before choosing daily Cialis over the as-needed version, it may be worth comparing how much each option would cost you out of pocket.

At CanadaDrugWarehouse.com, both daily-use and as-needed erectile dysfunction drugs are available at lower prices than your regular pharmacy. This might give you the freedom to enjoy the as-needed drug more frequently or give you the freedom to ask your doctor about a daily-use prescription. 

FAQ: When Does Cialis for Daily Use Make More Sense Than Other ED Drugs?

Cialis for daily use may make more sense if you want less planning around sex. Viagra and Levitra are taken before sexual activity, while as-needed Cialis can provide a longer window of responsiveness for up to 36 hours. Daily Cialis is different because it is taken every day at about the same time, whether or not sex is expected that day.

Daily Cialis may be more convenient for men who have sex more often or who want more spontaneity. Men who have sex less often may find that as-needed Cialis, Viagra, or Levitra is enough. Cost should also be part of the decision because daily Cialis is taken every day, so your out-of-pocket cost may depend on your pharmacy price and insurance coverage.

Before asking your doctor about Cialis for daily use, consider:

1. How often you expect to use ED medication.
2. Whether you want to avoid timing a pill before sex.
3. Whether as-needed Cialis already gives you enough flexibility.
4. Whether Viagra or Levitra works well enough for your needs.
5. How daily Cialis compares with as-needed options in cost.

DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.