Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist). This article has been written according to strict guidelines and medical standards.
Medically reviewed by: Thomas Fischer (Pharmacist)
As much as half of the male population will be affected by mild to acute erectile dysfunction (ED) at least once in their lives. Erectile dysfunction, often associated with high blood pressure, can lead to complete impotence if left untreated. A phosphodiesterase type five inhibitor (PDE5) is a medication designed for this purpose. There are four main types available, Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis), Stendra (Avanafil) and Vardenafil (Levitra).
Cialis and Levitra, in comparison, are two very different drugs that deliver very similar results. To choose the medication that best suits you, you need to know the details.
Cialis vs. Levitra - Both Drugs Defined
Levitra and Cialis are both PDE5 inhibitors designed to counter the effects of impotence. What this means is that a PDE5 inhibitor works by blocking PDE5 enzymes that attack another protein called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This results in increased blood flow to the penis.
By definition, they are unique, each with its pros and cons. Below you will find a short, detailed description of the two drugs and their uses.
Did you know?
What Is Cialis?
Tadalafil, sold under the brand name Cialis, is a drug designed to counter the effects of sexual dysfunction. Other applications include the treatment of PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) and BPH (enlarged prostate) or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Cialis does not cause spontaneous erections. It is only effective against erectile dysfunction with direct stimulation to the penis.
What Is Levitra
Vardenafil is a drug used to delay PDE5 enzymes that interfere with erectile function. Marketed under the brand name Levitra. An erection will not be possible without direct sexual stimulation to the penis. Levitra is also used for the treatment of premature ejaculation.
The Difference Between Cialis and Levitra
Cialis and Levitra are both PDE5 inhibitors designed to relieve the symptoms of ED. Both function in a similar fashion with only minor differences in the time it takes to begin to work and how long the effect lasts:
- Cialis starts to work within two hours after consumption and will remain useful for up to 36 hours.
- Levitra begins to work within thirty to sixty minutes after consuming the tablet, and the effect lasts up to four hours.
Cialis vs. Levitra - Hardness In Comparison
The effect of Levitra and Cialis have the same outcome. It allows you to have an erection if you have ED. In comparison, there is no difference in the hardness of your erection. The difference between the two drugs is:
- How long the medication takes before it works
- How long the effect remains
Cialis remains active for 36 hours. For this reason, it is the perfect drug if you plan on being sexually active for a prolonged period. Levitra is ideal for a shorter period. It is effective for about four hours.
- Are Tadalafil and Cialis the Same Thing? Differences & Similarities
- Viagra or Cialis – Which Treatment Is Better For Me?
- Tadalafil Or Sildenafil – Which Is Better For Me?
- Stendra vs. Cialis – Which Treatment Is Better For Me?
- Cialis vs. Levitra – Which Medicine Is Better For Me?
- Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra – Comparing Three ED Medicines
Cialis vs. Levitra - Adverse Effects In Comparison
Like any prescription medications, PDE5 inhibitors have side effects that may occur. Cialis and Levitra tend to have the same ones, the most common of these are:
- Indigestion
- Burping
- Upset stomach
- Blurred vision
- Muscle aches
- Facial flushing
- Dizziness
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Low blood pressure
- Acid reflux
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
Contact your doctor or physician immediately if any of these side effects persist for a prolonged period.
Sexual activity can result in extra strain to your heart, especially if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Should you experience chest, jaw, or left arm pain, fainting, nausea while having intercourse or severe dizziness combined with heart problems, then you need to seek professional help immediately.
You need to be aware and pay attention to a few infrequent side effects. Immediately stop using the medication and urgently seek professional help if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), which is a sudden impaired vision or permanent blindness, may occur. High cholesterol, other eye problems, diabetes, smoking, if you are over fifty, heart disease, and high blood pressure might increase your chances of experiencing NAION.
- You may experience a sudden loss or decrease in hearing, usually coupled with tinnitus (a ringing sound in your ears).
- Prolonged painful erections exceeding four hours, may occur, which can cause permanent damage to the penis. This is known as priapism and needs urgent medical care.
- You may experience severe allergic reactions such as itching or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, breathing difficulty, severe dizziness, and skin rashes.
- Seizures or convulsions may occur.
Cialis vs. Levitra - Contraindications
Similar contraindications are present in both Levitra and Cialis. Patients receiving regular or intermittent nitrate treatments should not use PDE5 inhibitors. Combined use can potentially cause a hypotensive effect of nitrates, which will result in dizziness, fainting, a sudden drop in blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack.
Patients receiving regular or intermittent nitrate treatments should not use PDE5 inhibitors. Combined use can potentially cause a hypotensive effect of nitrates, which will result in dizziness, fainting, a sudden drop in blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack.
Other contraindicated conditions include:
- Sickle cell anemia
- Alcohol intoxication
- Leukemia
- Clotting disorder leading to an increased risk of bleeding
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Multiple myeloma
- Hearing loss
- A stroke
- Liver problems
- Angina (heart-related chest pain)
- Seizures
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Narrowing of the aortic heart valve
- Stomach ulcer
- Bent penis when erect
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Fibrous tissue formation in the penis
- Loss of blood supply to the front of the optic nerve causing vision loss
- Peyronie's disease
- Severe renal impairment
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Life-threatening irregular heart rhythm
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney impairment
Can Cialis and Levitra Be Used Together?
There are no known interactions between Cialis and Levitra. There is a possibility, though, that they might exist, so you should always use caution. Use one or the other, never together, if one doesn’t work, it’s best to switch to another one with medical advice.
Our tip: How to buy Cialis & Levitra with online prescription
Cialis and Levitra - Price In Comparison
The cost of PDE5 inhibitors is strongly dependent on two aspects – the strength of the dose and the number of pills purchased. An indicative breakdown of the price per tablet follows below:
How Much Does Cialis Cost?
Cialis Price Per Tablet | ||||||||
2.5 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 20 mg | |||||
Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | |
Brand Cialis | $11.92 | $12.47 | $11.98 | $12.47 | $68.83 | $71.96 | $68.83 | $73.06 |
Generic Cialis | $0.46 | $4.66 | $0.40 | $5.14 | $0.70 | $37.46 | $0.78 | $0.58 |
Prices are subject to buying an amount of 30 tablets. | ||||||||
How Much Does Levitra Cost?
Levitra Price Per Tablet | ||||||||
2.5 mg | 5 mg | 10 mg | 20 mg | |||||
Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | Lowest Price | Highest Price | |
Brand Levitra | Discontinued | $51.08 | $54.67 | $51.08 | $53.39 | $51.08 | $53.39 | |
Generic Levitra | $8.08 | $14.31 | $8.12 | $24.19 | $8.19 | $28.34 | $8.15 | $22.60 |
Prices are subject to buying an amount of 30 tablets. | ||||||||
From the breakdown, it is clear to see that brand Levitra, in general, is less expensive than brand Cialis. When it comes to the generic version, it’s the other way around.
Cialis vs. Levitra - Which Is The Better Choice?
In comparison, Cialis and Levitra, designed to relieve the symptoms of ED, deliver the same results with only a minor price difference. The most noticeable difference between the two drugs lies in the amount of time it remains active and how long it takes to start working.
Levitra becomes active over a shorter amount of time, give or take thirty minutes but also remains active for a shorter period, roughly four hours. Cialis takes longer to kick in, approximately two hours, but the effect lasts for much longer, close to thirty-six hours.
Everybody is different, and what works for one person does not necessarily work for the next. The individual should take into consideration his lifestyle and his personal needs to choose the product that best suits his purpose.
Does Levitra Outperform Cialis?
Except for how long the drugs remain active and the amount of time it takes to begin working, there is no noticeable difference. The best medicine is the one that’s best for you.
How To Purchase Cialis and Levitra With An Online Prescription
There are millions of online sites that offer the sale of erectile dysfunction drugs. The products on offer range from well known, FDA approved brands, to so-called natural remedies that promise to deliver the same results.
How To Safely Purchase Cialis and Levitra Online
Avoid purchasing counterfeit Cialis and Levitra online by implementing the following steps:
- Only buy from licensed pharmacies with a US address.
- Only use online pharmacies that insist on a general practitioner’ prescription.
- Purchase, only FDA, approved drugs.
- Only accept containers clearly labeled with the dose and brand name of the drug.
- Ensure that you have access to a licensed pharmacist that can answer your questions.
- Check that the online pharmacy displays a phone number on which you can contact them should you have any questions.
- Ensure that the online pharmacy uses a secure website and that the privacy policy protects your personal information and credit card details.
Legitimate online pharmacies have registered doctors who can generate a prescription for you. Start by completing an online questionnaire. Be sure to be honest and transparent with your answers.
The medical practitioner will make an assessment and contact you to discuss your treatment. By law in some states, this requires a video call. Once the doctor has agreed on your medication, they will issue a prescription and forward it to their partner pharmacy, to ship it to you via courier. Alternatively, you can have it sent to your local pharmacy for you to collect.
Article Sources
- Huang SA, Lie JD. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors In the management of erectile dysfunction. P T. 2013;38(7):407-19. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 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
- Sustained efficacy and safety of vardenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In: Valiquette L et al., Mayo Clin Proc. 2005 Oct;80(10):1291-7. URL: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Erectile dysfunction: comparison of efficacy and side effects of the PDE-5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil–review of the literature, Gresser U et al. URL: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- The management of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor failure. Lau D.H., Kommu S., Mumtaz F.H., Morgan R.J., Thompson C.S., Mikhailidis D.P. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2006 Apr; 4 (2): 89-93
- Therapeutic effectiveness and patient satisfaction after 6 months of treatment with Tadalafil, Sildeanfil and Vardenafil: Results from the Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study. Antonio Martin-Morales et al. European Urology; Volume 51, Issue 2, February 2007, Pages 541-550. URL: sciencedirect.com
- “Sustained efficacy and safety of vardenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study” Valiquette L et al., Mayo Clin Proc. 2005 Oct;80(10):1291-7.