Cialis or Viagra: sildenafil vs tadalafil
Cialis or Viagra comes down to timing. The Viagra label gives a window of 30 minutes to 4 hours before sex and a half-life of about 4 hours. The Cialis label reports an effect versus placebo up to 36 hours and a 17.5-hour half-life. Mendoxa's compounded tablet combines both, from $129 a month.
Start your ED visit From $129/month. If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California).
Difference between Viagra and Cialis
| Viagra (sildenafil) | Cialis (tadalafil) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 50 mg as needed | 10 mg as needed, or 2.5 mg daily |
| Range | 25 to 100 mg, once a day max | As needed 5 to 20 mg; daily 2.5 to 5 mg |
| When to take | About 1 h before; 30 min to 4 h window | Before sex; effect vs placebo up to 36 h |
| Peak level | 30 to 120 min (median 60) | 30 min to 6 h (median 2 h) |
| Half-life | About 4 hours | 17.5 hours |
| Food | High-fat meal delays it about 60 min | Without regard to food |
| Daily option | No | Yes (2.5 to 5 mg) |
| Other label use | — | BPH |
Cialis vs Viagra side effects
Most common side effects (2% or more) on the Viagra label: headache, flushing, dyspepsia, abnormal vision, nasal congestion, back pain, myalgia, nausea, dizziness and rash. On the Cialis label: headache, dyspepsia, back pain, myalgia, nasal congestion, flushing and pain in limb.
The Cialis label notes back pain or muscle aches that usually start 12 to 24 hours after a dose and typically resolve within 48 hours.
Mendoxa ED plans and prices
The Mendoxa ED tablet is a compounded rapid-dissolve tablet with sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) and apomorphine. It dissolves under the tongue. The Mendoxa ED page lists a maximum of 1 dose per 24 hours. A licensed clinician decides if it fits you and selects the strength. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved.
| Plan | 1-month plan | Per tablet | 3-month plan | Per tablet (3 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 tablets / month | $129 | $21.50 | $329 | $18.28 |
| 10 tablets / month | $149 | $14.90 | $379 | $12.63 |
| 20 tablets / month | $179 | $8.95 | $449 | $7.48 |
If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California). Prices from the Mendoxa intake at try.mendoxa.co/f/ed on Oct 17, 2026. The intake always shows the current price.
Which is better, Viagra or Cialis?
Neither label says one is better. A short window may suit planned sex; a long window or a daily dose may suit men who want less planning. The clinician weighs your heart, your medicines and your preference.
The Viagra and Cialis labels list the same hard stops. Do not use them with organic nitrates in any form, or with a guanylate cyclase stimulator such as riociguat. Do not use them if sex is inadvisable because of your heart. Get emergency care for an erection that lasts more than 4 hours. Stop and get care for a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or a sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
Viagra vs Cialis cost
Costs depend on brand or generic, strength and pharmacy. See Viagra cost and Cialis cost. Mendoxa's compounded tablet with both, plus apomorphine, is From $129 for 1 month (6 tablets). 3 months of 20 tablets/month: $449, about $7.48 per tablet.
The Viagra label says combinations with other PDE5 inhibitors or other ED treatments “have not been studied,” “may further lower blood pressure,” and are “not recommended.” The Cialis label says to tell patients not to take Cialis with other PDE5 inhibitors. So do not stack your own Viagra and Cialis. A compounded combination tablet is a separate prescription, and the clinician weighs these warnings before writing it.
FAQ
Is Cialis or Viagra better?
Neither label says one is better. Viagra has a 30-minute-to-4-hour window; Cialis has an effect versus placebo up to 36 hours and a daily option. The clinician helps you choose.
Which lasts longer, Cialis or Viagra?
Cialis. Its half-life is 17.5 hours versus about 4 hours for Viagra, and its label reports effect up to 36 hours.
Do Cialis and Viagra have different side effects?
They overlap: headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, back pain and muscle aches. Back pain shows up more on the Cialis label.
Can I take Viagra and Cialis together?
Not on your own. The Viagra label says such combinations are not recommended. A compounded combination is a separate prescription.
Start your ED visit: plans and prices
The Mendoxa ED tablet is a compounded rapid-dissolve tablet with sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) and apomorphine. It dissolves under the tongue. The Mendoxa ED page lists a maximum of 1 dose per 24 hours. A licensed clinician decides if it fits you and selects the strength. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved.
| Plan | 1-month plan | Per tablet | 3-month plan | Per tablet (3 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 tablets / month | $129 | $21.50 | $329 | $18.28 |
| 10 tablets / month | $149 | $14.90 | $379 | $12.63 |
| 20 tablets / month | $179 | $8.95 | $449 | $7.48 |
If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California). Prices from the Mendoxa intake at try.mendoxa.co/f/ed on Oct 17, 2026. The intake always shows the current price.
References
- DailyMed: VIAGRA (sildenafil citrate) tablet, film coated, label revised 12/2017. Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- DailyMed: CIALIS (tadalafil) tablet, film coated, label revised 3/2026. Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- FDA (Drugs@FDA): VIAGRA prescribing information, NDA 020895. Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- FDA (Drugs@FDA): CIALIS prescribing information, NDA 021368. Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answers. Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- Mendoxa ED care (product, format, max 1 dose per 24 hours). Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
- Mendoxa ED intake: plan prices (term_options). Accessed Oct 17, 2026.
About Mendoxa
Mendoxa (mendoxa.co) is a US telehealth brand. Licensed clinicians in the LocumTele network review each online visit, and prescriptions are filled by Rush Pharmacy, a licensed US pharmacy. Available in 49 states (not California).
- A licensed clinician reviews every visit and can say no. A prescription is not automatic.
- A compounded medicine is not an FDA-approved finished product.
- Plans: 1 month or 3 months, from $129. If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California).
Compounded medication prescribed only if a licensed U.S. clinician decides it is appropriate. Not FDA-approved as a finished product. Not available in California. This site is not for emergencies. Call 911 if you need urgent care.