Are Tadalafil and Cialis the Same Thing? Differences & Similarities

Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards. More Info

Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist) More Info

Both Cialis and Tadalafil are treatments that are used mainly for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or impotence. This is a common issue found among many males. This problem may occur due to several reasons. 

Approximately 1 in 4 men are affected by this condition. For some of these men, the problem occasionally occurs, while for others, it is more permanent. This problem can appear to be quite embarrassing, and it is for this reason that medication such as Tadalafil and Cialis are used.

Definitions Of Tadalafil And Cialis

What Is Tadalafil?

Tadalafil is scientifically classified as a phosphodiesterase five inhibitor. It is a legal prescription medication that is used for treating erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. In 2018 Cialis generics became legally approved to be sold on the market. Tadalafil is one of these generic medications.

What Is Cialis?

Cialis is a legal prescription medication that is used for treating the following conditions in male patients, pulmonary arterial hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and erectile dysfunction. It is one of the first medications of its kind. The main active ingredient of Cialis is Tadalafil.

Are There Similarities Between Tadalafil And Cialis?

This question can be answered as yes or no, depending on the context.

Similarities Between Tadalafil And Cialis

Both Tadalafil and Cialis are phosphodiesterase five inhibitors used for treating the same conditions. Both medications are primarily sought for treating erectile dysfunction. The contraindications and side-effects of the two types of drugs are also identical.

Cialis vs Tadalafil

Both medicines require a prescription from a qualified health professional. In many ways, they are the same. 

Did you know?

Online doctor consultations allow you to discreetly order Cialis and Tadalafil (Generic Cialis) online ++ Fast and convenient delivery ++ Dispensing of prescriptions and supply of medicine ++ US-licensed doctors and pharmacies

What Makes Cialis And Tadalafil Different?

Cialis is a phosphodiesterase five inhibitor that contains an active ingredient Tadalafil. The medication Cialis as a brand was initially being manufactured by a company called Eli Lilly and co for a long time. It was one of the 4 inhibitors on the market.

In 2018 the sale of generic versions became permissible. There are now approximately 16 generic versions of Cialis being legally produced and sold. Tadalafil is one of these generic medications named after the active ingredient used in this type of medicine.

Simply put, they are different medications that serve the same purpose. The price difference between the generic and original drugs is another factor that comes into play. Cialis is the original version of this erectile dysfunction medicine. Cialis is also the trade name of the active ingredient Tadalafil. Cialis, in its original form, is available to patients in different dosages: 

The instructions stated that it should be taken 30 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. This will give the medication enough time to be absorbed so that the patient will be able to achieve and maintain an erection. 

The key difference in distinguishing between the two medications would be in terms of appearance. Cialis is a yellow oval-shaped tablet, whereas Tadalafil can be either oval or circular shaped. Other differences include the ingredients between the two erectile dysfunction medications. While both contain the active ingredient Tadalafil, some of the inactive ingredients differ.

Cialis Ingredients

Lactose monohydrate. Croscarmellose Sodium. Hydroxypropyl Cellulose. Microcrystalline Cellulose. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Magnesium Stearate. 

Cialis Film Coat: Lactose Monohydrate. Iron Oxide Yellow (E72). Triacetin. Hypromellose. Titanium Dioxide (E171). Talc.

Tadalafil Ingredients

Croscarmellose Sodium. Hydroxypropyl Cellulose. Talc. Titanium Dioxide. Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose. Magnesium Stearate. Iron Oxide. Lactose Monohydrate. Polyethylene Glycol. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.

How Good Is Tadalafil Compared To Cialis?

Both medications contain the same active ingredient, and both drugs are capable of treating the same health conditions. When it comes to the original medicines and generic medicines, there are diverse opinions.

The truth of the matter is that when a generic drug is manufactured, it undergoes rigorous testing. Generic and original medications have the same active ingredients. The manufacturing process and packaging of the generic medicines need to pass the same quality standards as the original medication. 

Other tests that generic medication needs to pass are with regards to:

As far as treating the main problem, neither product is better than the other. The main selling point for generic is the price. The perspective that many people have is that because generics are cheaper, they must be a lot lower in quality. 

Some people argue that side-effects are more pronounced and also more prominent when using generics. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that shows this. In other perspectives, generics are regarded as a welcome blessing. This is especially the case for people who need to use prescription medication but have a lower budget.

In other perspectives, generics are regarded as a welcome blessing. This is especially the case for people who need to use prescription medication but have a lower budget.

Our tip: How to buy Cialis and Tadalafil with online prescription

Online Prescription & Doctor Services offer patients a safe and discreet option to ordering Cialis or Tadalafil (Generic Cialis) with online prescription. You just need to answer a few questions in the online questionnaire which is checked by the virtual doctor. After determining the suitability of Cialis or , the online prescription is issued and the medication is sent to your desired address.
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What Is The Difference In Price Between Tadalafil And Cialis?

Cialis is the first medication of its kind. When original drugs are first created, the company has to conduct expensive tests. These tests are known as clinical trials. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the medication is safe to be taken and that it works for its intended purpose.

The company has to cover all these costs. Once the product is approved and manufactured, the company of the original medication tries to recover this cost in the price it charges for the medicine. In other words, the value of the clinical trials is passed on to the consumer.

When an original medication is approved and manufactured, its price doesn’t have a ceiling. This is because it is the only medication of its kind, and there is no market competition to encourage the sellers to reduce the price. These are the main two reasons why original drugs are so expensive.

Generic medication is usually sold by several companies leading to market competition from the moment they are sold. The generic medicine is thus forced to be sold at a cheaper rate even though it had to undergo the same quality checks as the original. The manufacturers do not lose out financially because generic medications do not have to go through pre-clinical and clinical trials. The original prescription had already done that process, so there is no need to repeat it.

In terms of the cost, a generic will, therefore, be more affordable – approximately 75% cheaper, depending on location. Since Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis, it is clear that it would be the less expensive of the two.

How To Buy Tadalafil And Cialis With An Online Prescription?

There are several online telehealth companies and pharmacies that do put the patient’s health first and require a prescription before approving purchases. These entities are generally safe. 

What to Check For

The aspects to consider when making an online purchase with Cialis and Tadalafil are the same as buying any other medication online. The first thing that needs to be established is how legitimate and authentic the pharmaceutical provider is.

This must be verified before purchasing to ensure that the patient will not be scammed out of their cash. Also, to ensure that the product is not of lower quality. Online pharmacies that are recommended by a patient’s health insurance are usually authentic.

To verify if an online pharmaceutical provider is legitimate, the following checks can be applied:

Making an online purchase without considering the above, runs the risk of the following potential problems:

Other aspects to consider are timeframes for delivery. The online pharmacy should provide reasonable and reliable turnaround times for delivery. 

Ordering Tadalafil And Cialis Online - A Step-By-Step Guide

Should a patient opt to get their prescription medication from an online pharmacy, four simple steps can be followed:

Article Sources

We at Cialis-Online-Prescription.com only use accredited sources and references for content creation. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we determine medical facts and prepare our content in a technically correct, reliable and trustworthy manner.
  1. Huang SA, Lie JD. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunctionP T. 2013;38(7):407-19. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Porst, Hartmut et al. Efficacy of tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction at 24 and 36 hours after dosing: a randomized controlled trial. In: Urology Volume 62, 07/2003. Elsevier Inc.
  3. Brock, Gerald et al. Efficacy and Safety of Tadalafil for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: Results of Integrated Analyses. In: The Journal of Urology Volume 168, 10/2002. Elsevier Inc.
  4. Sáenz de Tejada, Iñigo et al. Effects of Tadalafil on Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Diabetes. Diabetes Care Volume 25, 12/2002. In: American Diabetes Association. URL: diabetesjournals.org
  5. Questions and Answers for Cialis (tadalafil). In: U.S. Food and Drug Administration. URL: https://www.fda.gov/
  6. Parker-Pope, Tara (August 28, 2009). “The Cost of Treating Erectile Dysfunction“. New York Times.
  7. CIALIS- tadalafil tablet, film coated. Eli Lilly and Company. URL: https://uspl.lilly.com/
  8. A Study of Tadalafil and Sildenafil in Men With Erectile Dysfunction in China. Information provided by (Responsible Party): Eli Lilly and Company. URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01352507