lll▷ The Best Alternatives To Cialis (Tadalafil)

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

Are you looking for an alternative to Cialis? If so, there are numerous other possibilities for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Options include other PDE5 inhibitors, natural supplements, injection therapy, suppositories, and mechanical devices.

Contents

1 What Alternatives are There to the Use of Cialis?

1.1 PDE5 Inhibitors (Sildenafil, Vardenafil & Avanafil)

1.2 Natural Alternatives to Cialis

1.3 Mechanical Cialis Alternatives

2 Is Viagra The Best Alternative to Cialis?

2.1 Viagra Side Effects

2.2 Contraindications for Viagra (Sildenafil)

3 Can Levitra (Vardenafil) Serve as a Replacement to Cialis?

3.1 Levitra Side Effects

3.2 Contraindications for Levitra (Vardenafil)

4 Stendra as an Alternative to Cialis

4.1 Stendra Side Effects

4.2 Contraindications for Stendra (Avanafil)

5 Is Generic Cialis (Tadalafil) an Alternative?

6 Caverject as an Alternative to Cialis

6.1 Caverject Side Effects

6.2 Contraindications for Caverject

7 Can Vitaros Replace Cialis?

7.1 Effect of Vitaros (Topical Alprostadil)

7.2 Contraindications for Vitaros

8 Overview of Over The Counter Alternatives

9 Natural / Herbal Supplements As An Alternative

9.1 DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

9.2 L-arginine

9.3 Korean Red Ginseng

9.4 Yohimbe

9.5 Propionyl-L-carnitine

9.6 Pomegranate juice

What Alternatives are There to the Use of Cialis?

PDE5 Inhibitors (Sildenafil, Vardenafil & Avanafil)

PDE5 inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5. They also assist in increasing nitric oxides levels in your body. Higher nitric oxide levels allow the muscles in your penis to relax. Relaxed penile muscles allow blood to flow freely so that you can get an erection when you’re sexually stimulated. It also helps you maintain it long enough to have sex.

Other than Cialis, there are three other PDE5 inhibitor drugs also used for erectile dysfunction. They are sildenafil (Viagra), avanafil (Stendra), and vardenafil (sold as Levitra tablets or Staxyn disintegrating tablets).

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Natural Alternatives to Cialis

Some of the most common natural remedies for ED are:

Mechanical Cialis Alternatives

Vacuum Erection Device

A vacuum pump or penis pump is a plastic cylindrical device. This device is placed over the penis. It has a battery-operated or manual pump that produces suction inside the cylinder.

The pump acts to draw blood into the penis and cause an erection. After the desired result is achieved, you can maintain it by putting a tension band around the base of the phallus.

Penile Implant

A penile implant is a device that is surgically introduced into the penis. It contains a pump that fills cylinders to produce an erection. This can be continued for as long as you wish.

Implant surgery is usually done by a urologist with training in penile prosthetics. There are two basic types of implants: bendable (malleable) and inflatable.

Learn More: Erection Problems & Treatments

Is Viagra The Best Alternative to Cialis?

Viagra is a suitable alternative to Cialis. It belongs to the same class of drugs (PDE5 inhibitors). Unlike Cialis, which can remain in the body for up to 36 hours, Viagra tends to wear off after around 4-5 hours.

Viagra Side Effects

The most common side effects of Viagra are:

Contraindications for Viagra (Sildenafil)

Viagra is not considered safe to take if you have certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

Multiple myeloma
Allergy to sildenafil
Leukemia
Hereditary retinal dystrophy
Sickle cell anemia
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
Pigmentary retinopathy
Sudden vision loss from loss of the blood supply to the front of the optic nerve
Severe autonomic nervous system insufficiency
Hearing loss
Problems with food passing through the esophagus
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Fibrous tissue formation in the penis
Heart attack
A bent penis with erection
Sudden worsening of heart-related chest pain called angina
Peyronie's disease
Narrowing of the aortic heart valve
Severe renal impairment
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Liver problems
Life-threatening irregular heart rhythm
Low blood pressure
Chronic heart failure
Stroke

Can Levitra (Vardenafil) Serve as a Replacement to Cialis?

Levitra (vardenafil) can work well as an alternative to Cialis. Both drugs are PDE5 inhibitors. They work by assisting the increase of blood flow to the penis so you can get an erection.

Levitra Side Effects

The most common side effects of Levitra are:

Contraindications for Levitra (Vardenafil)

The following conditions are contraindicated with this drug. Check with your physician if you have any of the following:

Multiple myeloma
Sickle cell anemia
Leukemia
Pigmentary retinopathy
Clotting disorder
Significant uncontrolled high blood pressure
Hearing loss
Sudden worsening of heart-related chest pain (Angina)
Heart attack
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hereditary retinal dystrophy
Narrowing of the aortic heart valve
Life-threatening irregular heart rhythm
Prolonged QT interval on EKG
Stroke
Chronic heart failure
Ulcer due to excessive stomach acid
Low blood pressure
Peyronie's disease
Severe liver disease
Fibrous tissue formation in the penis
A bent penis with erection
Allergy to vardenafil
Sudden vision loss from loss of the blood supply to the front of the optic nerve

Stendra as an Alternative to Cialis

Stendra (avanafil) relaxes muscles in the walls of blood vessels and increases blood flow to certain areas of the body.

Stendra Side Effects

The most widely reported side effects from Levitra are:

Contraindications for Stendra (Avanafil)

Stendra is not recommended for patients who:

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Is Generic Cialis (Tadalafil) an Alternative?

Generic Cialis (tadalafil) is a suitable replacement for Cialis, and it is also much cheaper than brand-name Cialis. The FDA approved tadalafil for the US market in 2018. Since then, over 15 companies in the US have started manufacturing their version of this generic.

If you search online for generic tadalafil, you will find many online pharmacies offering it. Some even claim to provide it without a prescription.

Be very careful with purchasing medications online. You need to be able to verify that the pharmacy is legitimate before purchasing with them.

Be Aware Drugs ordered from overseas pharmacies can be especially dangerous because they are not subject to FDA regulations. This means there may be lower quality and purity in manufacturing, as well as possible divergences in labeling.

Fortunately, there are some ways to check if a pharmacy is safe when you buy generic Cialis online. You’ll want to find a pharmacy with the following characteristics:

Licensed and with a US address. (Check credential with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy or your state board of pharmacy.)
Availability of a licensed pharmacist to answer your questions
Prescription required
A privacy policy that protects your personal information and credit card number
Clearly labeled containers, including at least the name of the drug dose
FDA-approved pharmaceuticals
Availability of a phone number, so you can call about problems or questions

One way to be sure you find a reputable pharmacy is by using an internet doctor service. These telehealth services provide online appointments and prescriptions from board-certified doctors. They also partner with licensed US-based online pharmacies and can mail your medication to you.

Caverject as an Alternative to Cialis

Caverject is an injectable form of the drug alprostadil, a vasodilator. To use Caverject, you inject the medication into the side of your penis with a tiny needle. Injectable alprostadil is also sold under the brand name Edex in the United States.

Caverject Side Effects

The most common side effect of Caverject is pain in the penis. This side effect is not considered severe and does not need to be reported to your doctor.

Some rarer and more severe side effects are listed below. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following:

Rash
Red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin, with fever or without
Hives
Wheezing
Itching
Trouble breathing, talking or swallowing
Tightness in the chest or throat
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Unusual hoarseness
Irritation where Caverject is injected
Redness, lumps, swelling, tenderness, or curving of the erect penis
Dizziness or passing out
Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Bad headache
Swelling of the leg veins
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
A painful erection or an erection that lasts for more than four hours

Contraindications for Caverject

Caverject is not a good fit for everyone. If you have certain conditions, this drug may be dangerous. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

Can Vitaros Replace Cialis?

Vitaros is a topical cream whose active ingredient is alprostadil. This drug works as a vasodilator. It has been legalized in Canada and some Latin American, European, and Middle Eastern countries but has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Vitaros is applied to the tip of the penis. It is usually well tolerated by patients who have trouble using PDE5 inhibitors. It generally has mild and short-lived side effects.

MUSE Although Vitaros has not yet been legalized in the United States, alprostadil is available in a suppository form called MUSE. This pellet is placed inside the opening of the urethra using an applicator.

Effect of Vitaros (Topical Alprostadil)

Although Vitaros has not yet been legalized in the United States, alprostadil is available in a suppository form called MUSE. This pellet is placed inside the opening of the urethra using an applicator.

The most common side effects of Vitaros cream are:

Common side effects of MUSE include:

Contraindications for Vitaros

Vitaros should not be used by people with any of the following:

Underlying disorders such as postural low blood pressure, heart attack, or syncope
Conditions sickle cell anemia or trait, polycythemia, thrombocythemia, leukemia, or multiple myeloma
Known allergy to alprostadil or any other ingredient of Vitaros
Abnormal penile anatomy such as severe hypospadias
Anatomical deformation of the penis, such as curvature
Urethritis and balanitis (inflammation/infection of the glans of the penis)
Venous thrombosis
Hyperviscosity syndrome
Contraindications to sexual activity (for example, men with unstable cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions)

Vitaros should not be used for sexual relations with a woman with child-bearing potential unless a condom barrier is used.

MUSE has the same active ingredient as Vitaros, and its contraindications are the same.

Overview of Over The Counter Alternatives

In general, medications that can substitute Cialis require a prescription in the US. If you are looking for something to purchase over the counter, you will generally find herbal remedies. Some OTC remedies have been proven effective, while others may be ineffective or even dangerous. It is essential to see a doctor before taking any drugs (prescription or OTC) for erectile dysfunction.

Since ED can be caused by reduced blood flow from obstructed arteries, lifestyle changes like exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can also improve symptoms. Some of the herbal options currently advertised online are:

Natural / Herbal Supplements As An Alternative

The OTC herbal treatments mentioned above contain a mixture of ingredients that are meant to treat erection problems. The following supplements are individual plant products, hormones, and amino acids that have been linked to improvement in ED symptoms.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)

DHEA is a steroid hormone present in yams and some soy products. Research has shown that lower levels of this hormone corresponded with a higher risk of ED. So, increasing levels of DHEA in the body may improve erectile function.

L-arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that may improve impotence symptoms by assisting with blood flow to the penis. Some possible side effects are nausea and cramping.

Korean Red Ginseng

This root has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine as a remedy for sexual difficulties. One study found that participants with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction showed improvement in their symptoms after taking ginseng for one to two months.

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is another supplement that appears to treat erectile difficulties by stimulating blood flow to the penis. It increases the production of norepinephrine, which allows for erections to occur. Yohimbe has been linked to side effects like increased heart rate and hypertension.

Propionyl-L-carnitine

This substance occurs naturally in the human body and has been used to treat circulatory problems. This makes it useful for treating erectile dysfunction, which occurs because of insufficient blood flow to the penis. Research has shown that this compound enhances the effects of ED drugs.

Pomegranate juice

This remedy is being researched and is thought to treat erectile dysfunction by increasing nitric oxide levels.

The Best Alternatives To Cialis (Tadalafil)